UNILWYL 1130 - The Art and Science of Birds

(crosslisted) BIOEE 1130

Spring. 2 credits. S/U grades only.

Permission of instructor required. This is a Learning Where You Live course.

J. Ditner, I. Lovette.

Art and science have always been fundamentally linked. Before the invention of photography, illustration was the main documentation tool in science; even now, artistic representations are used to communicate important scientific discoveries. In this course students learn the basics of bird anatomy in tandem with sketching techniques to foster an appreciation of how science and art can reinforce each other in enriching one’s life and study. Led by the staff biological illustrator at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, students begin with the fundamentals of observational drawing to improve accuracy before moving onto watercolors. Interwoven into art lessons are scientific lectures produced by Cornell ornithologists, blending art with current science to cover a range of interconnected topics. No prior bird knowledge or art experience is required or expected.