Learn to Draw B.C. Wildlife: Spotted Owls

A webinar hosted by Dr. Julius Csotonyi and Sierra Club BC

Join scientific illustrator Dr. Julius Csotonyi in this art lesson where he’ll be teaching you how to draw iconic spotted owls! Great for all ages!

Scroll down to learn more about the artist and to explore some great resources from the webinar!

Explore northern spotted owl artwork from the lesson!

Scroll through the gallery and hover over the image to see the name of the artist. If you’d like to have your spotted owl drawing featured, send your artwork to social@sierraclub.bc.ca

Spotted owl in the moonlight by Julius Csotonyi

Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) portrait by Julius Csotonyi

Check out these resources from the webinar!

Drawing guides and references from the tutorial
Send a letter to the BC government to protect intact old-growth forests, a vital habitat for northern spotted owls. Be sure to send your artwork with the letter!
- For talking points on old-growth forest protection, visit RainforestIsland.ca
  - Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development:
    FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
  - Premier John Horgan: premier@gov.bc.ca
Listen to the call of the northern spotted owl here
Spotted owl nest webcam. There are only an estimated 6 individuals living in the wild in B.C. and a total of 30 in the province thanks to breeding programs. In April, the Langley northern spotted owl breeding program announced a male spotted owl chick was born! Learn more about the breeding program and see the new chick.

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