Colour
Bouquet of Genes. Watercolor and ink.
Model organisms are used to investigate specific biological problems. These particular species have traits that facilitate studies in ecology, evolution, development, physiology, biomedicine and food production. Many of the common model species in plant sciences are shown here, in an illustration inspired by the article “Field guide to plant model systems” by Chang et al. 2016, Cell.
Species from top to bottom and left to right: sunflower (Helianthus annuus), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), moth orchid (Phalaenopsis sp.), poplar (Populus sp.), seep monkeyflower (Erythranthe guttatus), pea (Pisum sativum), wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), mouse-ear cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), spreading earthmoss (Physcomitrella patens), spike moss (Selaginella moellendorffii), grape (Vitis vinifera), Algae (Volvox carteri and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii).
©Sylvia Heredia, September 2020
Article illustration for "An ongoing hunt for pain’s off-switch" by Nicoletta Lanese
Full article can be found HERE, at UC Santa Cruz Science Notes
Watercolour. ©Sylvia Heredia , 2018
The green-bearded helmetcrest (Oxypogon guerinii) and the Frailejón (Espeletia sp) have a mutualistic interaction. The hummingbird builts its nest from fiber collected from the frailejón and in return it pollinates the flowers of the frailejón.
Ink and watercolour. ©Sylvia Heredia , 2018
Shakespearean Invaders of North America.
Two of the most invasive species of birds in North America, starlings and house sparrows, where introduced in the late nineteenth century to honor Shakespeare. Most of his plays mention birds, which inspired Shakespeare fans to import them. Some introductions, such as the common cuckoo, were not successful (based on “How Shakespeare Changed Everything” by Stephen Marche).
House sparrow (Passer domesticus, top), Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris, middle), and common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus, bottom).
Article spread below
Ink and watercolour. ©Sylvia Heredia , 2018
Semnornis ramphastinus, toucan barbet.
Colour pencil on duralene. ©Sylvia Heredia , 2018
Passiflora sp dissection
Gouache ©Sylvia Heredia , 2018
Memories of Santa Fe, New Mexico and homage to Gustave Baumann.
Trompe l'oeil, Acrylic. ©Sylvia Heredia, 2018
Flabellina iodinea, sea slug
Watercolour. ©Sylvia Heredia , 2016
Arbutus unedo, strawberry tree fruits
Gouache. ©Sylvia Heredia, 2003
Ocean details
Watercolor and graphite. ©Sylvia Heredia, 2016