This document discusses biological drawings, including what they are, the tools and careers involved, and different types of drawings such as observational drawings and scientific sketches. Biological drawings are a type of data collection used to record and highlight important features of specimens. Careers that use biological drawing include photographers, medical and science illustrators, zoologists and wildlife biologists, and high school science teachers. The document provides examples of assignments for students to practice different types of drawings, including a realistic rendering, a labeled scientific drawing, and a fantasy drawing of a seashell.

1. BIOLOGICAL
DRAWING
INTRODUCTION AND CAREER PATHWAYS

2. OBJECTIVES: Students will...
discuss biological drawings.
identify the tasks and tools of the career.
distinguish the differences between biological drawings and other drawings.
categorize types of drawings.
compare and contrast various careers in the field.
plan and create a simple lab drawing through observation and media
exploration.
plan and create a drawing based on a career scenario.

3. WHAT IS A BIOLOGICAL DRAWING
Drawing is a very important skill in biology and is
considered a type of data collection because
drawings help to record data from specimens.
Drawings can highlight the important features of a
specimen. A drawing is the result of a long period
of observation at different depths of focus and at
different magnifications.

4. TOOLS OF THE TRADE:
Biological Illustrators use different tools depending on their career.
They may use various lab equipment, such as: microscopes,
magnifying glasses, and specimens.
They use various drawing supplies, such as: pencils, paper, pen
and ink, markers, colored pencils, and watercolor paints.
They use technology, such as: computers, tablets, digital drawing
pads, and digital cameras.

5. WHAT TYPES OF CAREERS ARE THERE
IN BIOLOGICAL DRAWING?
https://study.com/articles/careers_involving_biology_art.html
PHOTOGRAPHERS
MEDICAL AND SCIENCE ILLUSTRATORS
ZOOLOGISTS AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGISTS
HIGH SCHOOL SCIENCE TEACHERS

6. WHICH IS AN EXAMPLE OF A
BIOLOGICAL DRAWING AND WHY?

7. Examples

8. EXAMPLES OF CAREERS:
Medical Illustration:
https://www.ami.org/medical-illustration/learn-about-medical-
illustration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p10FGaf4bQ
Scientific Illustration:
https://www.cia.edu/academics/life-sciences-illustration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rCh5XtQqbA

9. WHAT IS AN OBSERVATIONAL
DRAWING?
Observational drawing is drawing what you see.
It's as simple and as complicated as that. It can be
a flower, a person, a still life, a landscape,
whatever. But it's drawing what you see in front of
you as realistically and as true to life as possible.

10. WHAT IS A SCIENTIFIC SKETCH?
A scientist sketches to record and communicate
information, not to make art. Along with a
drawing, a scientific sketch often includes labels
and diagrams, questions and explanations. These
particularities are often very important for
scientists to record.

11. TASK 1: http://www.seashells.org/alltheseashells.html
● Pick a shell and observe it. Sketch a few drafts of it in pencil.
● On final draft paper draw the shell 3 times:
○ 1: A realistic rendering of the shell. Use pencil and colored
pencil. Colors should be realistic and the shell should look
like a 3-D form.
○ 2: A scientific drawing. Use pencil and then ink to create a
line drawing of the shell. Label your drawing with the parts
of the shell (you need to research this online).
○ 3: An original fantasy drawing. Depict your shell in a way
you choose. You may add new elements, change colors, etc.
This drawing should be a representation of you as an artist in
some way.

12. Example of Task:
Conch Shell