Insects at the Field Museum

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.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Luna moths

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Moon moths

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Night-flying moths (oops-no photo of the day-flying variety)

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Morphos

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Dragonflies

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Katydids

 photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Walking sticks

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

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).

 photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Imagine wearing them around your neck.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Or as cufflinks.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

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).

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Lauren picked this still life to take notes on.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

And my class mate picked this giant walking stick.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

Since I am still learning how to see tone, I went with a black and white butterfly as my model. This is the Apollo.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

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.

 photo copyright Maike's Marvels

At the end of the day, everyone was happy with their progress, and I had a butterfly drawing to call my own.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

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.

photo copyright Maike's Marvels

There is an insect of the week Facebook page showcasing some of these wonderful specimens, with information on what these critters do.

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