Natural History Illustration: Invertebrates

Develop the skills to create your own illustrated field study book while exploring the fascinating diversity of invertebrates through observation, drawing and painting. This practical online course introduces a range of media and techniques, including tonal and linear drawing, mixed media, and watercolour washes, enabling you to accurately depict form, structure, volume, colour, texture and pattern.

Through carefully structured practical exercises, you will strengthen your observational skills, learn to record specimens with increasing accuracy, and gain an understanding of the anatomy, diversity and ecology of invertebrates. Alongside developing artistic techniques, you will build the scientific vocabulary and visual recording skills that are fundamental to natural history illustration and transferable to the study of a wide range of plants and animals.

The course is delivered entirely online through high-quality video demonstrations, downloadable illustrated handouts, individual tutorials, and regular tutor feedback, allowing you to progress at your own pace while receiving personalised guidance. By the end of the course, you will have produced your own field study book and developed a strong foundation in both observational drawing and natural history recording.

This online course lets you study from home while connecting with a vibrant virtual community of fellow learners. The course is delivered through Blackboard, our online learning environment, and any live sessions will be hosted via Teams. It can be studied as a stand-alone course, and it is also an optional module for the Certificate of Higher Education in Natural History Illustration at Aberystwyth University.

Note

This module is at CQFW Level 4