Is natural history illustration for you?

The Bachelor of Natural History Illustration is a unique program which allows students to study the natural environment and its visual representation. Read more ...

Unique practical skills

You will undertake both field and studio studies over the course of your degree program. Read more ...

Careers

If you have a passion for science, ecology and the environment, and an interest in their visual representation, why not consider a career in one of the diverse fields opened up by the Bachelor of Natural History Illustration? Read more ...

Achiever profiles

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Read profiles ...

Is natural history illustration for you?

The Bachelor of Natural History Illustration is a unique degree which allows students to study the natural environment and its visual representation. The only degree of its kind in Australia, it is designed to be a bridge between art and science and will appeal to students who wish to visually represent the unique Australian environment.

What is natural history illustration?

Natural history is the systematic or scientific study of natural objects. Natural history illustration is an essential part of natural history; it clarifies and communicates scientific findings visually, allowing information to be more effectively and widely communicated.

Three main subject areas

Our degree brings together three main subject areas – art, science and the environment – and is an opportunity for you to combine your interests in these areas and launch a rewarding career.

Art – natural history illustration uses a combination of traditional illustration techniques, multimedia and visual imaging to represent the natural environment in creative and innovative ways. Central to this is sketching, photographing and collecting specimens in the field, and the development of the drawing and technology skills required to work as a professional illustrator.

Science – the difference between natural history illustration and other art forms lies in the meticulous attention to detail and scientific accuracy that the discipline demands. Whether observing a specimen in the field or studying it under a microscope in the studio, natural history illustrators must produce an accurate representation of the subject as well as a beautiful image. This commitment to scientific truth makes natural history illustration uniquely suited to visually support the sciences.

Environment – with the increasing awareness of global environmental issues, there has never been a time when the recorders and interpreters of the natural environment are most needed. Natural history illustrators support the role of scientists by clarifying and communicating scientific findings visually, allowing the information to reach a far wider audience.

The Bachelor of Natural History Illustration is the only one of its kind offered in Australia. Graduates are among just a handful worldwide who can illustrate with absolute accuracy across a diverse range of fields, including medicine, taxonomy and archaeology.

All our staff are practising professionals in their field and regularly display their works in exhibitions across the country.

Our degree is recognised internationally, with students coming to Newcastle from as far a field as Greece, the United States, the United Kingdom and Bermuda.

Unique practical skills

You will undertake both field and studio studies over the course of your degree.

Field studies

Observation of specimens in the field is fundamental to natural history illustration, and you will be undertaking fieldwork as a major component of your studies. Whether you are sketching orchids in the rainforest near Barrington Tops or rare egrets in the Hunter Wetlands Centre at Shortland, you will be able to take advantage of the diversity of habitats and natural environments that surround our campus. In past years this component has involved field trips to Barrington Tops and Myall Lakes National Parks as well as local habitats such as the Hunter Wetlands Centre, Awabakal Nature Reserve and Kooragang Island.

Studio studies

Your studio studies will cover the theoretical basis of natural history illustration, and you will also learn practical drawing, traditional and digital illustration techniques and photography in these sessions. These skills form the basis of those required for professional practice as an illustrator.

Our students and staff are consistently recognised for their excellence in wildlife and scientific illustration. Our students produce prize-winning work that is highly regarded in Australia and around the world.

Students’ work is exhibited throughout the year in venues at the University of Newcastle and during November each year at Eden Gardens in Sydney.

Prizes our students have won for their work include the Australian Entomological Society Illustration Award, the Margaret Senior Wildlife Award, the William Fletcher Trust Grants and the Jill Smythies Prize.

Careers

If you have a passion for science, ecology and the environment, and an interest in their visual representation, why not consider a career in one of the diverse fields opened up by the Bachelor of Natural History Illustration?

Natural history illustrators combine their artistic abilities with the fascinating world of science. They can be employed in the publishing, display, education or exhibition fields; scientific institutions and educational institutions; libraries; galleries; museums; at archaeological or fossil sites; botanic gardens or for anthropologists, scientists and taxonomists.

As a graduate in natural history illustration your career options are broad. There is strong recognition of the very specific and unique skills taught in the degree, across a range of industries.

Careers include:

• scientific illustrator – where scientifically accurate images are required for journals, books and other publications
• archaeology – specifically at archaeological digs, travelling and recording specimens, especially in places where cameras and other modern technology cannot be used
• children’s book illustrator – true-to-life renderings for enquiring minds
• films – cross-media application of skills and technologies
• teacher – many students go on to complete a Master of Teaching
• court artist – where cameras are not allowed
• botanic gardens
• museum work
• medical illustration
• 3D animation
• creating cartoon characters
• war artist
• puppetry
• freelance work
• commercial illustrator.

Achiever profiles

Christine

Bachelor of Natural History Illustration

I am currently building up my business as a natural history artist in Newcastle. I provide illustrations for publications and galleries, organise and run plant drawing workshops in regional areas of NSW and Queensland, and have invented a few illustration tools for botanical illustrations.

This degree provided me with the answer I was searching for after school. I loved both art and science and this allowed me to do both.

The practical experience of the program was invaluable. I made contacts with outside institutions, which led to work opportunities after I had completed my studies at uni.

With the right attitude, a little guidance and contacts you’ll discover the career opportunities are endless.

Meet Fiona

Bachelor of Natural History Illustration

This program has a great reputation and Newcastle is the only university in Australia to conduct this program. It was a great way to combine my love of nature and drawing.

Lauren

Bachelor of Natural History Illustration

With a practical component, incredibly knowledgeable staff and great facilities, you can't go wrong when choosing this program.

Prue

Bachelor of Natural History Illustration

All the staff are so helpful. They are always there to offer support and encouragement.