Monhegan Scientific Illustration Workshop - 2-Day (12-14 June 2026)

Monhegan Two-Day Scientific Illustration Workshop at Monhegan Boat Line and on Monhegan Island, Maine

June 12-14 - Lodging Included for Friday and Saturday night in Port Clyde

Interested in scientific illustration because of the underlying science, a deep love of the natural world, or simply an appreciation of the aesthetic? Love the coast of Maine and the opportunity to visit one of its most famous islands? Then this workshop may be for you!

We will meet informally Friday afternoon or evening at the house where we are staying in Port Clyde, Maine. Those who are interested will be going out to eat at a local restaurant, or you may bring your own food to cook at the house. A light breakfast, tea and coffee will be provided at the house the next morning.

The intensive two-day scientific illustration workshop will formally begin Friday at Monhegan Boat Line in Port Clyde with an introduction to the history and practice of illustration for scientific purposes from the 18th century to today. Before boarding the ferry at 10:30, we will discuss best practices for scientific illustrators working on private land, collecting samples and minimizing our impact. We will also review two important documents from Monhegan Associates Inc., who own the land on which we will be working: “Land Use Expectations for Groups” & "Land Use Policies." While not required, participants are encouraged to become members of Monhegan Associates to help preserve for posterity the Monhegan Wildlands. Membership is $25/year.

We will then board the 10:30 ferry to Monhegan Island (ferry ticket included in workshop price), where we will spend the day learning about and practicing field observation and documentation techniques. Students will each undertake guided field sketching, ultimately focusing on a natural history subject of their choosing. We will be doing some light to moderate hiking, so plan accordingly.

We will return to our house in Port Clyde Saturday evening, where we will make dinner and have informal time to review and work on our studies or simply enjoy a quiet evening in this idyllic seaside village.

On the second day, after a light breakfast provided at the house, we will meet at 9am at Monhegan Boat Line, and students will be introduced to the tools, procedures, and best practices for working with fieldnotes, studies and specimens in the studio space. This part of the workshop will be dedicated to guided illustration in a variety of media working with notes, field sketches and specimens towards a finished illustration.

No experience is necessary and all material (except for a pencil, sharpener and sketchbook) will be provided.

Lodging is provided Friday and Saturday nights.

Class limited to six participants.

$350 includes materials (art supplies), ferry ticket, parking, lodging, and all meals except Friday evening dinner. Participants are responsible for Friday night dinner out (or bring your own food to cook at the house). Please bring a water bottle and a backpack or easy to carry bag. A full suggested packing list will be mailed to all participants before the workshop. 

Schedule:

Friday: 

Arrive at house in Port Clyde in the afternoon or early evening.

Optional dinner out at local restaurant. 

Saturday:

Light breakfast at house and make sack lunches from provided sandwich ingredients (or bring your own).

8:30 Meet at Monhegan Boat Line for an introduction to the history and practice of illustration for scientific purposes from the 18th century to today

9:30 Orientation to best practices for scientific illustrators working on private land, collecting samples and minimizing our impact.

10:30 Ferry to Monhegan Island

11:30 - 4:00 Fieldwork on Monhegan Island (please bring a water bottle and backpack or easy-to-carry bag)

4:30 Ferry back to Port Clyde

5:30 Return to Port Clyde House

Cook dinner together and informal time to review and work on our studies or simply enjoy a quiet evening in this idyllic seaside village

Day 2:

Light breakfast at house and make sack lunches from provided sandwich ingredients (or bring your own).

9:00 Meet for a guided tour of Karen's show currently hanging in the Monhegan Boat Line gallery space

9:30 - 4:00 pm Guided Instruction and Studio Time at Monhegan Boat Line in the beautiful gallery space upstairs

Not included in workshop price: Optional dinner out on Friday. Any additional food you would like at the house. Wine and/or beer if you would like to have.