Botanical Illustrator

Job Description:

Botanical illustration is the accurate pictorial depiction of plants and plant traits for a scientific purpose. It is always a true and lifelike representation of a plant. It should highlight a plant's particular distinguishing features which enable botanists to tell one plant from another.

Salary average: 32,500 - 96,000 an average of 59,345

Occupational Outlook:

grow 6%

Links to Learn More About This Career:

Educational Requirements:

Few undergraduate degree programs exist specifically for science illustration, so the best preparation in college is to simultaneously study commercial art techniques and the natural sciences. The focus should be on art techniques, graphic design and photography.

University of kentucky

Address: 100 W. D. Funkhouser Bldg | University of Kentucky | Lexington, KY 40506

Website: https://www.uky.edu/

Information on the Major:

https://www.uky.edu/academics/bachelors/martin-gatton-college-agriculture-food-environment/natural-resources-environmental-science

Berscia University

Address:

717 Frederica Street Owensboro, KY 42301

270.685.3131

Website: https://www.brescia.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.brescia.edu/mathematics-and-natural-sciences-majors/

western kentucky university

Address:

Western Kentucky University

1906 College Heights Blvd.

Bowling Green, KY 42101

Website: https://www.wku.edu/

Information on the Major: https://www.wku.edu/art/degrees/degree_information.php

Soft Skills, Characteristics, and/or Abilities Need For This Career:

how light works on form
how forms appear as they turn
how plant material looks as it is coming at you or going away
knowing how to represent both form and articulate how it moves in space very clearly - with no ambiguity.
technically realistic in image-making
proficient in use of a technical pen
use of technology and image software.

Software Knowledge Needed For This Career:

you need to know an Image software.

Pros and Cons to Choosing This Career

Pros (Positives to this Career)

Creating art that is used for science and education
Drawing nature
Learning

Cons (Negatives to this Career)

Repetitive strain injury
Posture issues
Eye health issues

Typical Working Conditions For This Career:

List typical working conditions.

Long hours working on a hyper realistic picture that could take days or months to finish. Working Inside at a desk.

Career Researched By: Nevaeh Williams

Sources & Citations

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