My comments about the Chicago/Illinois med illustration program were not
meant to be critical, only informative as I understood it.  Brad has
confirmed what I was told by Lew Sadler and others.

It is essential today that all medical/biological programs include thorough
training in digital illustration.  But to be a good digital artist, one
must understand the basics of drawing and the effects one can get with
traditional media, particularly light on form.  Computers are but another
tool, a powerful pencil or paintbrush.  I suspect that having the
experience of putting that last  tiny touch on a traditional illustration
that gives it ooomph!, communicates best, or conveys a feeling of reality,
gives one background in knowing what to aim for with a computer program
after mastering its capabilities.  You can be a great renderer in any
medium but not necessarily a good artist or designer.

Probably some students come into any biological/medical illustration
program lacking some traditional as well as digital skills.  Maybe this is
like (but not as bad as) some university students coming in without
academic basics.  Maybe some of these students don't belong in the
respective programs or maybe their raw talent qualifies them for being
"brought up to speed."

I vote for having both traditional and digital methods being taught in all
programs.  Seems to me the UC Santa Cruz has successfully combined both in
a program that lasts only a little over a year and offers a grad.
certificate.  Others are doing the same combination.

G'ma Elaine

Elaine R.S. Hodges      [log in to unmask]
85253 Ridgetop Drive
Eugene, OR  97405-9535  Phone: 541-684-0484, Fax: 541-684-9662
        USA