Learn to Draw: Orb Weaving Spiders
Join scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi and Sierra Club BC for an online art lesson where we’ll learn how to draw a small but important member of our community: orb weaving spiders!
Not only will we be making art, but we’ll also get to learn about this being and its ecosystem. This includes discussing why these iconic web spinners catch our attention and how they’re often misunderstood.
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 wonderful spiders! If you’d like to have your drawing featured, send your artwork to social@sierraclub.bc.ca.
Check out these resources from the webinar!
- Send your artwork to your local representative to help care for the at-risk ecosystems both spiders and people rely on. You can find your local representative here.
- Are you on Facebook? Join our Facebook group for artists!
- Learn how to say spider in the language of the Indigenous community on whose territory you live.
- Learn more about our education program.
- Please consider making a donation today to help us continue running free art lessons like this one. Donate financially 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
Learn to draw more beings with Julius!
