Staff

Hannah Finlay - Scientific Illustrator

Bachelor Arts/Bachelor Science, Newcastle University
Honours (class 1) in wildlife illustration, Newcastle University

Hannah Finlay.

I currently work as a scientific illustrator in the Herpetology and Entomology sections of the Australian Museum, where I am employed to produce scientific illustrations (usually black and white line and stipple) of reptiles and amphibians to a standard ready for publication. The drawings are then used in journal articles and other publications to illustrate particularly important features that a species has which distinguish it from other species. In Herpetology, this might be the number of scales a skink has, the pattern of scales or even the shape and texture of them. Most of my job involves using a microscope and camera lucida, drawing what I see as well as reconstructing broken or distorted specimens, clarifying overlapping structures, and overcoming problems of depth of field to create an accurate drawing which is both pleasing to the eye but also emphasises the important details of the specimen.

Western Brown Snake Pseudonaja nuchalis, Pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper.

Eastern Snake-Necked Turtle Chelodina longicollis, Pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper.

Southern Angle-Headed Dragon Hypsilurus spinipes, Pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper.

Green-thighed Frog Litoria brevipalmata, Pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper.

BM10760 Lobulia sub-alpina.

R133729 Morethia butleri.

AM37706 Cyclodomorphus casuarina.

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