Scientific Illustration for Pattern Design
A course by Diana Flores BlazquezScientific Illustrator
A course by Diana Flores Blazquez, Scientific Illustrator
Learn analog and digital techniques to design illustrated patterns with a protagonist: the beetle
If you are a fan of biology and drawing, in scientific illustration you will find your perfect refuge. Diana Flores Blázquez is a Mexican illustrator specialized in scientific or naturalist digital illustration, who collaborates with universities, research centers, and magazines, besides having her own brand, NI: Nature Illustration, through which she sells her creations in the form of decorative and fashionable objects.
In this course, learn how to create two types of repeated patterns based on a species of beetle called Mecynorrhina Polyphemus. From a detailed observation of the species, elaborate several drawings with graphite and import them into Adobe Photoshop to finish them, export them, and then print or upload online.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 21 downloads
What are we going to do in the course?
2 minutes, 9 seconds
materials
4 minutes, 32 seconds
Basic and formal drawing techniques I
5 minutes, 47 seconds
Basic and formal drawing techniques II
7 minutes, 24 seconds
Creating the brush
10 minutes, 32 seconds
Observation of the model
6 minutes, 4 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know Diana and how she came to be involved in scientific illustration. Understand how she managed to unite her two passions: art and natural sciences. In addition, meet the artists and illustrators who inspire her and have shaped her work over the years. Then she talks to you about the final project of the course and the materials you need.
Diana shows you the physical and digital materials you will use to make your illustrations. She shows you various types of graphite pencils and paper and then talks about the pen and digital tablet as well as the software.
Draw beetles based on real species and live models. Learn about scientific illustration and the importance of observing your specimen so that you can draw it in pencil with as much detail as possible and then color it on Adobe Photoshop.
Discover everything that has to do with the patterns. Diana teaches you how to prepare your elements for easy use in the creation of your tile. Learn the different types of repetition and finish your course with the final project of a pattern based on the elements of scientific illustration you worked on in the previous units.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create several drawings based on a species of beetle and then integrate them into a pattern.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in digital illustration, scientific or naturalistic illustration, and the production of pattern design.
Requirements and materials
You should be familiar with illustration of any kind and know how to use Adobe Photoshop in a basic way. As for tools, you will need dry media paper, graphite pencils, a computer with Adobe Photoshop, and a graphics tablet.
Reviews
- 6 months ago
Este curso me ha resultado muy interesante. Diana explica de forma clara cómo observar y analizar formas de la naturaleza para transformarlas en patrones gráficos.
Me está sirviendo mucho para mis propios proyectos de ilustración, especialmente para trabajar con mayor estructura y precisión en la construcción de motivos.
Un curso recomendable si te interesa la ilustración botánica o el diseño de patrones con base científica.
- 10 months ago
muy detallada la forma de explicar, clara y fácil de entender
- 10 months ago
EL material del curso permite hacer muchas creaciones. Me gustó mucho
- 1 year ago
Simplemente nutritivo, excelente curso.
- 1 year ago
Excelente curso, para ser básico, dan información concreta
Her clients range from people interested in a particular species to institutions and research centers, as well as stores and design brands. Diana has worked with UNAM and UAM in Mexico, the University of Campeche, and with brands such as Pineda Covalín.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What are we going to do in the course?
- U2
Tools
- materials
- Basic and formal drawing techniques I
- Basic and formal drawing techniques II
- Creating the brush
- U3
Beetle illustration
- Observation of the model
- Pencil beetles
- Digital line drawing of beetle
- Coloring beetles P1
- Coloring P2 beetles
- Coloring beetles P3
- U4
Let's make a pattern
- The elements of the pattern
- The repetition
- Linear pattern
- The pyramid pattern
- FP
Final project
- Scientific Illustration for Pattern Design
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FAQs
You’ll learn how to observe and accurately depict beetles with scientific precision, use graphite techniques alongside digital tools like Photoshop, create repeating patterns, and apply your illustrations to materials like fabric or printed products.
The course is aimed at people with intermediate drawing or illustration skills. Basic experience with graphite techniques and digital tools is helpful.
You’ll need graphite pencils, mechanical pencils, an eraser, acid-free paper, access to a tablet or computer with Photoshop, and basic digital drawing knowledge.
You’ll learn to analyze beetle morphology, textures, and patterns, capturing anatomical details and individual variations to create precise, realistic scientific illustrations.
Photoshop and graphic tablets are used to create and customize brushes, manage layers, apply gradients, and design repeating patterns ready for print or digital use.
Yes, the course covers basic strategies for exporting your designs in the right formats and selling them on digital platforms and online stores.
Yes, you’ll learn traditional graphite techniques and how to translate them into the digital space, combining analog and digital methods for professional results.