Week 1: Introductions!

• The evolution of vertebrates and taxonomy
• The basic vertebrate body plan
• Basic anatomical terminology and labeling
• How to find reference images

Assignment: choose two very different animals and do a couple of loose sketches of each, in different poses; observe similarities and differences

Weeks 2 – 6: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Mammals, and Birds respectively

For each week:

• Basic definition and taxonomy
• Basic body plan
• Niches, adaptations, and anatomy

Assignment: choose one specific species of fish / amphibian / reptile / bird / mammal respectively, pick one (or more) individual anatomical feature(s) of that animal, illustrate that feature in relation to the whole animal, and add some basic labels (we will discuss this in more detail in class, but for example: you could choose to focus on a
zebra’s stripes, a bull shark’s swim bladder, a
hornbill’s crest, a tuatara’s “third eye”, an axolotl’s
gills… the list goes on, and it’s up to you!)

Weeks 7 and 8: Conceptualizing, workshopping, and actualizing a more polished final piece, working with any one of the following prompts

• Illustrate one (or more) complete body systems of one animal as well as the animal’s exterior body, and label (body systems include skeletal, muscular, endocrine, digestive, respiratory, lymphatic, cardiovascular, reproductive, and nervous)
• Choose two animals from the same taxonomic family (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals) and compare / contrast their anatomical features
• Choose two animals that are completely unrelated and compare / contrast basic vertebrate commonalities
• Choose a predator / prey relationship between two animals and compare / contrast basic vertebrate commonalities, emphasizing predator- and prey-specific adaptations

These are all big prompts, so we’ll work together to make things that you’re really proud of!