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Care and Management of Natural History Collections
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This course offers a broad introduction to scientific illustration applied to Biological Sciences, and to a lesser degree, Palaeontology.
It is also intended to give a hands-on overview of the most current technological advances in the field, such as basic computer graphics applied to science illustration and 3D modelling.
Practical examples will be selected based on the applicants’ interests and suggestions.
LOCATION
Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP)
C/ de l’Escola Industrial, 23
08201 Sabadell, Barcelona (Spain)
LANGUAGE
English
COURSE LENGTH & ECTS
40 hours on-site.
This course is equivalent to 2 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) at the Life Science Zurich Graduate School and ForBio.
The recognition of ECTS by other institutions depends on each university or school.
PLACES
Places are limited to 20 participants and will be occupied by strict registration order.
Participants who have completed the course will receive a certificate at the end of it.
Instructor
Dr. Oscar Sanisidro
Kansas University
United States of America
Coordinators
Dr. Soledad De Esteban-Trivigno
Transmitting Science
Spain
Dr. Judit Marigó
Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle / Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont
France / Spain
Requirements
A basic knowledge in computer graphics software (e.g. Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator) and in personal computers is strongly recommended. All participants must bring their own personal laptop (Windows, Macintosh, Linux).
Program
Theory:
- Scientific and naturalistic illustrations: Generalities and comparison.
- Scientific illustration versus photography.
- General drawing workflow.
- Sketching and approaches to naturalistic illustration.
Practice: First approach to scientific illustration.
Theory:
- Drawing basics: Halftone rendering, textures, transparency object shadows, reflected light and cast shadows.
- Drawing tools and media:
- Line and ink: Basic techniques, rendering styles, scratchboard.
- Pencil: Basic techniques, coloured pencils, watercoloured pencils, examples.
- Water colour.
- Camera lucida (procedure and practical examples).
Practice: Graphite rendering practice.
Excursion: Field sketching (naturalistic illustration).
Theory: Introduction to computer graphics.
- Bitmap graphics software: Main tools, layer workflow.
- Chromatic diagrams, bit depth, colour models and channels, image corrections.
- Vectorial vs. bitmap drawing.
- Vectorial graphics software: Bezier-curve drawing, pattern filling, examples.
Practice: Improving traditional media drawings.
Theory:
- Examples and subjects of scientific illustration.
- Illustrating plants, animals and geological features.
- Illustrating animals in their habitats.
- Palaeoecological reconstruction.
- 3D applied to scientific illustration.
- How to build basic models.
- 3D-aided traditional illustration.
- Use of 3D scanned specimens.
- Other applications of 3D design software.
Testimonials
You will find below some testimonials from former participants to previous editions of this course:
“I really enjoyed this course. I think it was an excellent experience from many aspects. First of all the teaching of Oscar with his enthusiasm to pass his knowledge forward, and his patience and insights. We got a taste, and a small practice, of a lot of techniques, and I am now eager to try them more thoroughly at home. The organization of Sole was amazing and it seems like she thought about every small detail. Also great participants who share your aspirations, and long lunches with wine.” (3rd Edition)
“The course was very well run and the teaching was excellent. Each day we learnt new illustration techniques, for which all the materials were provided. The course has inspired me to include scientific illustrations in my PhD thesis. Thank you very much Sole and Oscar!” (2nd Edition)
3rd Edition, May 9th-13th, 2016
Nineteen people belonging to the following countries and institutions participated in this edition:
- Denmark: University of Copenhagen.
- Finland: University of Turku.
- France: University Lyon 1.
- Israel: Weizmann Institute of Science.
- Norway: University of Oslo, Natural History Museum, Tromsø University Museum.
- Portugal: Universidade do Porto.
- Spain: Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Universidad de Alicante.
- Sweden: Uppsala University.
- United Kingdom: University of Manchester, University of Leicester, Natural History Museum, University of Liverpool.
- United States of America: Georgia State University.
2nd Edition, May 18th-22nd, 2015
Nineteen people belonging to the following countries and institutions participated in this edition:
- Denmark: Aarhus University.
- Germany: Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich.
- Australia: James Cook University of North Queensland.
- United Kingdom: Natural History Museum London, University of Southampton.
- Costa Rica: Universidad de Costa Rica.
- Spain: Universitat de València, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Escola Superior de Conservació i Restauració de Béns Culturals de Catalunya.
- Norway: University Museum of Bergen.
- Italy: University of Bologna, University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Second University of Naples.
1st Edition, May 12th-16th, 2014
Twenty people belonging to the following countries and institutions participated in this edition:
- United States of America: Dinkins Biological Consulting.
- Germany: Free University Berlin, Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment – Universität Tuebingen.
- Sweden: Lund University.
- Denmark: Natural History Museum of Denmark – University of Copenhagen.
- Italy: Università Politecnica delle Marche.
- Spain: Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Autonomous University of Madrid, University of Cadiz, Universitat de Barcelona, Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont.
- United Kingdom: University College London.
- Austria: University of Salzburg.
- Finland: University of Turku.
Fees
- Course Fee
- Early bird (until December 31th, 2015):
- 550 €
- Regular (after December 31th, 2015):
- 735 €
- This includes course material, coffee breaks and lunches.
(VAT included)
We offer the possibility of paying in two instalments (contact the course coordinators).
Accommodation
The course will take place in the city of Sabadell, Barcelona (Spain). Take a look at the venue.
You may stay in Barcelona city or Sabadell. You will find information about Hotels and Hostel in Sabadell here. It takes about 45 minutes by public transport to arrive to Sabadell from the centre of Barcelona city. The place of the course is about 15 minutes walking from the train stop.
Funding
Former participants will have a 5 % discount on the Course Fee.
Unfortunately there are no scholarships available for this course. However a 20 % discount on the Course Fee is offered for members of some organizations (Organizations with discount). If you want to apply to this discount please indicate it in the Registration form (proof will be asked later).
Spanish unemployed scientists, as well as Spanish PhD students without any grant or scholarship to develop their PhD, could benefit from a 40 % discount on the Course Fee. If you want to ask for this discount, please contact the course coordinators. That would apply for a maximum of 2 places and they will be covered by strict inscription order.
Discounts are not cumulative.
Schedule
| Course Schedule | |
|---|---|
| Monday, May 9th through Friday, May 13th, 2016 | 9:30 to 13:30 Lessons. 13:30 to 15:00 Lunch. 15:00 to 19:00 Lessons. There will be two coffee breaks each day, halfway through each lesson session. |
The schedule is approximate; it is possible that the content of one day may run into the next and a working day may be longer than advertised.
Organizers
Collaborators
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Next Edition Coming Soon
Transmitting Science started in 2012 to manage specialized courses and workshops we were already organizing within our own Partnerships. Up to date, we have already run more than 120 advanced courses in different topics related to Life Sciences.
All the courses are self-financed with participant’s fees and we strive to keep the fees to the minimum necessary for running them.
Our courses cover a wide range of research methods and are aimed at postgraduate students, postdoctoral researchers and established academics from all over the world.
All the courses are self-financed with participant’s fees and we strive to keep the fees to the minimum necessary for running them.
Our courses cover a wide range of research methods and are aimed at postgraduate students, postdoctoral researchers and established academics from all over the world.