21 Dic 2025

PROYECTO ROBSONELLA

Scientific illustration addresses concrete problems of visualization in research, thought, and the communication of science. It is not only at the service of science, but also a contribution to the very generation of knowledge. Today, there is a wide range of courses and workshops in nature illustration; however, these tend to focus on techniques and established content, placing less emphasis on the relationship between researcher and illustrator, or on current research.

“Proyecto Robsonella,” co-created by Felipe Portilla and myself, ran from 2019 to 2025, offering intensive in-person, online, and hybrid courses lasting between 35 and 51 hours. These courses wove together artistic, technical, and design knowledge with scientific culture and research on marine biodiversity—from protists to large vertebrates—while also addressing ecology, reproductive cycles, behavior, and socio-ecological processes.

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Creativity doesn’t wait for that perfect moment. It fashions its own perfect moments out of ordinary ones.

In these courses, the researcher–illustrator relationship was fundamental. We therefore created spaces and opportunities where illustrators and researchers could engage in dialogue and develop illustration projects that directly responded to the real needs of contemporary marine science research in Chile.

The last course, held in 2024 and designed for alumni of Proyecto Robsonella, was titled “Professionalization Robsonella 2024: exploring the professional path of contemporary scientific illustration in Chile.” It took the training one step further. Its aim was to create spaces for practice, dialogue, and reflection on the challenges, processes, and opportunities of professional work in contemporary scientific illustration, nourishing an ecosystem to sustain illustrators.

You can explore some of the courses through the virtual galleries available on the Artsteps platform, Below are two of them, but keep exploring, soem have guided tours!

Throughout the years of Proyecto Robsonella, we fostered collaborative networks, collectively analyzed, thought through, and learned about the professional aspects of scientific illustration, and nurtured reflection on the vision and mission of this craft—so that it may serve not only personal growth but also the study, visualization, and appreciation of our natural heritage. We are deeply grateful to everyone who took part in this project, and special thanks to the institutions that supported us including: Instituto Milenio en Socio-ecología Costera (SECOS), Observatorio de la Costa, Centro i-mar de la Universidad de Los Lagos, Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas (ECIM-PUC),  Sociedad Chilena de Ciencias del Mar, Museo del Mar de Universidad Arturo Pratt, Silpoly, Capital Azul and Faunamar Ltda.

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References

Oyarzún, F. X., & Portilla, F. (2023). Proyecto Robsonella: creando espacios de comunicación y co-creación entre los ilustradores contemporáneos. Congreso de Ciencias del Mar 2023, Puerto Montt. Oral Presentation.

Oyarzún, F. X., & Portilla, F. (2021). Ilustración científica contemporánea y socioecología costera: repensando los cursos de ilustración científica en respuesta a las necesidades de investigación de la diversidad marina de Chile. Congreso de Ciencias del Mar, Simposio SECOS: El arte de la socio-ecología costera: experiencias de co-creación e interdisciplina. Virtual oral presentation.

Oyarzún, F. X., & Portilla, F. (2019). Proyecto Robsonella: creando un puente entre la ilustración científica y la investigación de la diversidad marina de Chile. XXXIX Congreso de Ciencias del Mar, Iquique, Chile. Oral presentation.

Selected press

Socioecología Costera. (2023, [n.d.]). Charla XLII Congreso Ciencias del Mar 2023: Proyecto Robsonella, creando espacios de comunicación y co-creación entre los ilustradores científicos contemporáneos. https://socioecologiacostera.cl/evento/charla-xlii-congreso-ciencias-del-mar-2023-proyecto-robsonella-creando-espacios-de-comunicacion-y-co-creacion-entre-los-ilustradores-cientificos-contemporaneos/

Diario Concepción. (2022, May 12). Artes y ciencia dialogan en muestra enfocada en el océano. https://www.diarioconcepcion.cl/ciencia-y-sociedad/2022/05/12/artes-y-ciencia-dialogan-en-muestra-enfocada-en-el-oceano.html

Socioecología Costera. (2021, [n.d.]). Arte+Ciencia se unen en curso tutorial online de ilustración científica marina de Chile central. https://socioecologiacostera.cl/en/arteciencia-se-unen-en-curso-tutorial-online-de-ilustracion-cientifica-marina-de-chile-central/

Radio UdeC. (2021, [n.d.]). Proyecto Robsonella. https://www.radioudec.cl/tag/proyecto-robsonella/

Ladera Sur. (2021, [n.d.]). No te pierdas el curso intensivo de ilustración científica marina de Chile central: Costa Central Ilustrada 2021. https://laderasur.com/charlas-eventos/no-te-pierdas-el-curso-intensivo-de-ilustracion-cientifica-marina-de-chile-central-costa-central-ilustrada-2021/?srsltid=AfmBOoo46X9VHxcPJ23ga7s2AxoYqLsowcoA9zWUuPf37_bnWF1TmeZk

Diario Acuícola. (2021, July). Arte y ciencia: ya está abierta la inscripción para curso de ilustración científica marina de Chile central. https://www.diarioacuicola.cl/noticia/actualidad/2021/07/arte-y-ciencia-ya-esta-abierta-la-inscripcion-para-curso-de-ilustracion-cientifica-marina-de-chile-central

Diario Concepción. (2021, July 23). Ciencia y arte se unen para dar vida a Costa Central Ilustrada. https://www.diarioconcepcion.cl/ciencia-y-sociedad/2021/07/23/ciencia-y-arte-se-unen-para-dar-vida-a-costa-central-ilustrada.html

CIGIDEN. (2021, [n.d.]). Doctora Carolina Martínez participará en el curso tutorial online de ilustración científica marina de Chile central. https://www.cigiden.cl/doctora-carolina-martinez-participara-en-el-curso-tutorial-online-de-ilustracion-cientifica-marina-de-chile-central/

Universidad de Los Lagos. (2020, September). Curso de invierno IMAR culmina con exposición virtual de arte y ciencia. https://www.ulagos.cl/2020/09/curso-de-invierno-imar-culmina-con-exposicion-virtual-de-arte-y-ciencia/

Facebook. (2021, [n.d.]). Video sobre curso de ilustración científica marina de Chile central. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=817879366231090