“Every time we draw a plant, we are making judgement about what we are depicting…You have a responsibility when you are working for the scientists on specimens because you need to show the absolute truth…” – Lucy Smith, Botanical Illustrator at Kew Gardens

Staff of the UPLB Museum of Natural History and its interns from the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) including staff from the UPLB Land Grant attended a scientific botanical illustration workshop led by Mr. Paul Alfonso Ondoy, an MS Botany student at UPLB. The workshop was held at the UPLB MNH Botanical Herbarium on August 7, 2023.

Scientific illustration is an accurate way of rendering images to inform and communicate to the people. “It’s [focus] is more on science rather than visual art.” explained Mr. Ondoy.

In his lecture, he explained that illustrators use two platforms in illustrating – digital and traditional. In digital illustration, a tablet and a software are usually used. Meanwhile, pen and paper are used for traditional illustration.

Ondoy emphasized several important things in botanical illustration such as scales, details, and patience. “Scales and details are important in the accuracy of the illustration while patience is the key to better results,” said Ondoy

To conclude the workshop, participants created their own botanical illustration using actual specimens from the herbarium.