September 27, 2014

What Happens When a Science Cartoonist Paints

I’m all about the science comics and cartoony illustrations, but just like Kalliopi said yesterday, sometimes we science artists like to mix it up.

By Katie McKissick

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

I'm all about the science comics and cartoony illustrations, but just like Kalliopi said yesterday, sometimes we science artists like to mix it up. For a while I was putting down my pencil and picking up a paintbrush. It was an adjustment to not be able to render things as exactly as one can with a pencil and fine-tipped pen. I found that frustrating at first because I'm such a perfectionist, but eventually I found my painting stride and just tried to let the paint do its own thing, and I found myself painting shapes found in nature and just seeing where it went. I never had a specific idea when I sat down to paint something, not even what colors I wanted to use.

It was a way for me to explore the patterns and seeming randomness that you see when you look outside, and it gave me a new opportunity to explore science art. These are my two favorite pieces. Hope you enjoy them!

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For the third year running, we are turning September into a month-long celebration of science artists by delivering a new morsel of sciart to chew on each day. Check out what was previously featured on this day:

2013: Are You a Mammal? Standardized Test

2012: Windows on Evolution – can you outdo “March of Progress” imagery?

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