Antique Insects Art Books & Rare Naturalist Drawing Illustration

Historically, science draws and biological illustrations have been in use since the beginning of man’s exploration and attempts to understand the world around him. During his five-year voyage of the HMS Beagle, Charles Darwin wrote and illustrated the The Voyage of the Beagle, published in 1839. In the beginning of the 20th century, one of the most prolific biological illustrator, Ernst Haeckel, discovered, described, and named thousands of new species, and his published work, Kunstformen der Natur, contained hundreds of prints.

Biological illustration is an artist and scientific mix. Traditionally employed the techniques of using carbon dust, color pencil, stipple pen and ink, lithography, watercolor and gouache, however digital illustration has recently become more important in the field. Every professional naturalist drawing illustration begins with multiple rough sketches. Many details must be discussed between the artist and scientist before a final drawing can be completed, and additional preliminary drawings must be prepared in order to work out aesthetic details.

Most famous entomology drawers used only pen and ink line illustrations are clean, crisp, clear, and inexpensive to produce, making them ideal for biological illustrations. Ink drawings are typically made on a heavy drawing paper, such as Bristol board. Today , if you enjoy the art of naturalist drawing Illustration and vintage science books you may find some fantastic antique insect prints books in Europe.

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