3 Smart ways to promote your scientific illustrations

(Without Feeling Salesy)

When I think about promoting my scientific illustration services to scientists and researchers, I'm a little paralyzed by the idea that they'll see me as just another salesperson offering my services. So the question is, how can we offer our scientific illustrations without selling?

Sharing your art can feel deeply vulnerable. After all, your illustrations aren’t just images; they’re thoughtful, time-consuming expressions of your skill, your curiosity, and your care for science.

But here’s something I hope you’ll remember:
Your beautiful illustrations are not just worth creating—they’re worth sharing.

The world needs more visual interpreters of science. Researchers, students, educators, and even the general public can benefit from what you create.

 Promotion doesn’t have to be loud or pushy. It can be gentle, intentional, and authentic to who you are. Here are three kind and manageable ways to begin.

1. Share Your Process, Not Just the Final Scientific Illustrations

You don’t need to wait until something is “perfect” before you share it. In fact, people love seeing the behind-the-scenes journey. Your process is valuable—and often even more engaging than the polished final illustration.

Sharing your sketches, rough drafts, or even your color testing can:

• Build trust with your audience

• Educate others on the complexity of scientific illustration

• Make you more relatable and human

2. Start Conversations in Safe, Supportive Spaces

Promotion doesn’t always mean putting yourself on a stage. Sometimes, it begins with simply showing up in the right communities—and letting others get to know you through kind, consistent participation.

You might:

• Join a Mastodon instance focused on science or art

• Participate in illustrator forums or Facebook groups

• Offer thoughtful comments on someone else’s project or post

3. Create a Simple, Shareable Portfolio Page

You don’t need a full-blown website to start. What you do need is a space—however small—where people can see your work and share it with others.

Instagram is a wonderful starting point. It’s visual and easy to update.

And there are other illustrators you can connect with to create partnerships and collaborations. But above all, their visual quality makes your illustrations shine.

Think of it as your first professional home. You can even pin a post that serves as your “About” and contact info.

Other easy options: Behance, ArtStation, or Adobe Portfolio.
Keep it simple:

• Showcase a few of your favorite pieces
• Include a friendly intro about what you do
• Add a clear way to get in touch

Conclusion: Your scientific illustrations deserve to Be Seen

Your scientific illustrations are more than beautiful art, they are a bridge between science and understanding. It’s a visual language that helps others grasp complexity and appreciate the wonder of the natural world.

You don’t have to do everything all at once. Just start where you are. One post, one conversation, one tiny step at a time.

Your future audience isn’t waiting for you to be perfect.
They’re waiting to find you.

Thanks for Reading

Thanks so much for reading. If this resonated with you, I’d love for you to bookmark this article, share it with a fellow illustrator, or subscribe to my newsletter for more supportive tips on marketing your scientific illustration work—with heart and humanity. 💛