Books

This page contains a list of books recommended by SONSI members.  Book links are generally to Amazon.ca.
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The Guild Handbook of Natural Science Illustration by Elaine Hodges, published by Wiley, any edition.

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Botany for Artists by Sarah Simblet, published by Dorling Kindersley, 2010

This book explains and beautifully illustrates botanical terms useful to an illustrator or beginning botanist.  Simblet also provides practical advice for illustrating plants based on her own experiences. – recommended by Emily

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Watercolour Fruit and Vegetable Portraits by Billy Showell, Search Press, 2009

Most botanical watercolour starts with an initial wash layer, and some artists favour using the “wet into wet” technique in this first layer. Billy Showell’s approach is interesting because she uses multiple “wet into wet” layers in the initial stages. - recommended by Nellie Sue

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Fantasy Workshop by ImagineFX, published by Collins & Brown, 2009.

Although not a scientific illustration book, this guide on digital painting techniques is awesome. Using multiple programs from Painter to ArtRage, a number of artists go step by step using many techniques to increase realism and drama that can be easily adopted by a science or nature artist.  -recommended by Glendon

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