Travel and Excursions
Insects at the Field Museum
Aug
Our drawing ‘final’ was a day in the Zoology Department at the Field Museum of Natural History. We were greeted by Entomology Collections Manager James Boone, who is featured in this lovely video.
We spent two hours just oohing and aahing over the drawers we were given access to, and took many photo records.
Luna moths
Moon moths
Night-flying moths (oops-no photo of the day-flying variety)
Dragonflies
 
Walking sticks
Lauren was drawn to the Cicadas and Beetles, which had a surprising array of colors (purple to match her phone, blues, reds, golds and greens).
Imagine wearing them around your neck.
Or as cufflinks.
Some beetles were quite velvety, and there were other bugs I’d never seen (and whose name escapes me now). I drew the line at photographing tarantulas and wasps. I appreciate their beauty but their venom freaks me out (I’m allergic).
Lauren picked this still life to take notes on.
And my class mate picked this giant walking stick.
Since I am still learning how to see tone, I went with a black and white butterfly as my model. This is the Apollo.
Lauren gave me pointers on the difference between field drawing and ‘home’ drawing. You basically sketch out the basics, the most characteristic features, and make lots of mental notes (along with taking photographs) for later reference.
 
At the end of the day, everyone was happy with their progress, and I had a butterfly drawing to call my own.
Lauren will offer this class again in the Fall, and I plan to practice in between with the specimens she gave me to see if I can add color to my drawings or need more technique in the next session.
There is an insect of the week Facebook page showcasing some of these wonderful specimens, with information on what these critters do.
