Skip to main content

Science-Art Scumble #26

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


This Scumble's featured artwork takes on the Kraken controversy, by scientific illustrator Nobu Tamura.

As long as I've been aware of Tamura's paleontology illustrations and reconstructions, I've been amazed at his tremendous output. If a new species is there, he's on it. The Kraken image is cheeky fun, but not indicative of his usual work. So here's some more:

 


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


You can find Nobu Tamura at the following sites:

Palaeocritti

Paleoexhibit - his blog

DeviantArt Gallery

Twitter

ART Evolved member

- -

This Scumble's recommended science-art links.

Let's have a frank talk about illustration royalties. -The Flying Trilobite. Anonymous comments allowed so people can talk openly about their experiences with royalties, copyright and contracts. Interesting discussion already underway.

Kids leave their traces in caves with art - John Hawks Weblog. In case you missed it, anthropologist John Hawks gives a nice summary and links to this fascinating news story.

Mystery of Magenta - Gurney Journey.

T-Rex Hong Kong Ad - by Craig Dylke, Art Evolved.

I'm in a Museum! - Clever Girl.

2011 Presentation Day - SONSI. Summary of a variety of professional illustrator talks. I spoke about the importance of blogging. Did I convince anyone?

The Artist and the Proton Smasher, Kat Austen, CultureLab.

Brilliant Colour in Wood Lilies - botanicalartstalk.

3D Printing Faster, Please - john Hawks Weblog.

For something with such big olfactory lobes, how come we never see this? - The Optimistic Painter.

"Troodon in the Rushes" - Dinosaurs and Robots Art Show - The CawBox.

Artistic by Nature - an exhibit at ArtWay Invitational Gallery - Emily S Damstra's News From the Studio.

Science or Art? Geology! - Geology in Art

Happy Mole Day! - by Steve D., Mad Art Lab.

The piston of an engine from the inside - Mieke Roth Portfolio. You can zoomify the image!

Kentrosaurus Vo.06 - David's Really Interesting Pages

On politics, aesthetics and materiality - Medical Museion.

Friday Favorite: John Mann - Mary C. Nassar blogs about another artist doing mixed media map art.

Julie Newdoll merges life science and culture, myths and molecules in her paintings and journal covers. - Brush with Science

- -

Scumble: ”A painting technique in which semi-opaque or thin opaque colors are loosely brushed over an underpainted area so that patches of the color beneath show through.”

From The Artist’s Handbook, by Ray Smith.

This began as a series of posts on my personal blog, The Flying Trilobite, as a way to brush highlights over the tremendous amount of science-based art that’s out there. I can’t begin to cover it all, so here’s a scumble over some recent posts that I found interesting, provocative, or otherwise caught my eye from the Science Artists Feed, and other sources.

Science-art is becoming an increasingly popular form of science communication and entertainment. Drawing from fine art, laboratory work, scientific illustration, concept art and more, watch how artists spread scientific literacy and play with the inspiring concepts in science. Doing the Scumble posts, I hope to connect artists with each other, and expose their work to a wider audience. Remember, a lot of these artists are available for commissions and have online shops for original art and reproductions. Why not put some art on your wall that means something more than “weird for the sake of weird”?

Put your feet up, make yourself a cup of joe and enjoy the science-art on the links above.

Click here for recent Scumbles and here for even earlier Scumbles.