QUESTIONS ABOUT SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION

"What is scientific illustration?"
Scientific illustration is illustration for which the objective is to accurately represent specific information about a subject. A scientific illustration of a fish might need to depict the typical number of scales and spines on the species (meaning the illustrator counts every scale and every spine on a preserved fish from which s/he is illustrating.) See Epinephelus haifensis for an example.
Scientific illustration, though often highly representational ("realistic-looking"), differs from photo-realism and other representational genres because its priority is not necessarily that it look "real"; its priority is to communicate specific information and the result might or might not be visually realistic. (Question from Gina Mikel Web Site)

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE USE OR COMMISSIONING OF ILLUSTRATIONS

I need a new scientific drawing for an article, may I request that to you?
Contact us. If the species is in our list you can request a preview of the drawing and evaluate if this is the image you need. If the species is not on the list you can request it, giving us the appropriate references, if needed.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DOWNLOAD

May I download the images from your site?
You can use the images in the terms of the creative common license and you can freely download all the illustrations showed on the web only for non commercial use In any case, we will appreciate to receive few words on your project. For any activity related to business, please contact us.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RIGHTS

Images are provided under the terms of creative commons public license (CCPL) and are protected by copyright.
If you need the image for business use you can choose one of the following possibilities. In any case, the original illustration remains the property of the illustrator:
- exclusive rights: you have all the rights on the illustration
- first time rights: you only need rights to publish the illustration once but want to be the first to publish it.
- one-time rights: when you only need rights to publish once the illustration.
If you are interested in commissioning original art to own, rather than for business use
- Personal use: the original illustration becomes your property, though all rights and copyright remain of the author.
Are the original Illustrations on your web site available for sale or are prints available?
Few among the originals are for sale. Contact us for more information.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATION PROCESS:

"Are your images painted 'by hand'?"
The illustrations in this gallery were created by hand. Our portfolio consists entirely of illustrations created on paper or on polyester sheets. In some cases the digital version can be manipulated or colored.

What kind of technique do you use?
The most of the drawings are done with the stippling technique which allow to define the body morphology with all the accuracy it is needed for. The examination of the morphological characters can be done with the help of photographs. Some specimens are viewed under a microscope a camera lucida is used to enable the depiction of minute parts. The camera lucida is used for little subjects e.g. for larvae, eggs, embrios, parasites, or to draw anatomical particularities.

What kind of references do you need to do a scientific drawing?
Of course the best references are fresh specimens but individuals frozen, or preserved in formol/alcool are usually used.
How long does it takes to fulfill with a scientific drawing?
It depends on the realism of the image (i.e the degree of details and resolution) and on the basic work (like the examination of morphometric and meristic characters) which is hidden at base. Usually from 6 to 12 hours.