Learn to Draw: Black bears
November 2022
With the shortening days, leaves falling and salmon finishing up their migration, we’re entering a period of slowness and rest. And for our black bear neighbours, that means preparing their dens for winter! To celebrate this moment, we’re hosting another Learn to Draw session where we’ll be sketching a black bear family in their den.
Join scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi in this online session where we’ll learn how to draw these wonderful families and their forest home. The lesson will share both Western and Indigenous perspectives through conversations with x̱a’nalas~Dakota Smith and bear biologist Helen Davis. Helen has been working as a biologist and bear researcher for 30 years and has much to share with us!
Scroll down to watch the art lesson and explore some great resources from the webinar!
Explore the artwork from the lesson!
Scroll through the gallery to see some beautiful bear families! If you’d like to have your drawing featured, send your artwork to social@sierraclub.bc.ca.
Check out these resources from the webinar!
- Join our network of artists for change at InviteToAction.ca
- Are you on Facebook? Join our Facebook group for artists!
- Send your artwork to your local representative to help care for our bear neighbours. You can find your local representative here.
- Send an email calling for bear den protection using our letter tool.
- Check out these cool videos all about bears on Helen’s YouTube channel! This includes footage of black bears denning in hollow trees, woody debris, and how they can squeeze into small dens!
- Explore this comic about the important connection between bear families and forests.
- Learn how to say bear in the language of the Indigenous community on whose territory you live.
- You can learn more about Helen’s bear research here.
- Learn more about the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Tribes.
- Learn more about our education program.
- Please consider making a donation today to help us continue running free art lessons like this one. Donate here.
About the artist
Dr. Julius Csotonyi is a Vancouver-based scientific illustrator and natural history fine artist. He has a scientific background in ecology (MSc) and microbiology (PhD) which has taken him to study sensitive ecosystems, from sand dunes in the Rocky Mountain parks to hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean.
These experiences have fuelled a strong resolve to work toward preserving the earth’s biota. Painting biological subjects is one means that he uses to both enhance public awareness of biological diversity and to motivate concern for its welfare.
He paints murals and panels that have appeared in numerous museums (e.g. the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History), press release images for scientific publications, books, stamp sets (e.g. the 2018 “Sharks of Canada” set for Canada Post), and coins for the Royal Canadian Mint. His work is viewable on his online gallery, http://csotonyi.com
Artwork by Julius Csotonyi
