Marc Dando

Marc Dando has always balanced art and science, first at school and then at university where he completed an honours degree in Zoology at Nottingham University. On finishing his degree course he moved into a career as a graphic designer. After many successful years in commercial graphics an opportunity occurred to work on various natural history projects, initially in design, but finally into his passion for wildlife and scientific illustration.

For the past 25 years the majority of his work has been in wildlife illustration, mainly marine, and in that capacity has worked alongside many eminent scientists. Sealife: a complete guide to the marine environment was the first book he worked on, but it was Sharks of the World that took three and a half years to complete, working with Leonard Compagno and Sarah Fowler that established his work. With Dave Ebert he has now worked on the updated Sharks of the World and has collaborated with him on further projects for the FAO and IFAW. Alongside the more traditional watercolour, pencil and pen and ink work Marc uses computer-based illustration in his work. These illustrations have been been used for a series of childrens field guide books, posters, displays and detailed illustrations for many guides used around the world. But, when time allows, he still works on more artistic pieces with its inspiration always from nature. His work has been exhibited at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco, The Mall Galleries in London and the Museum of Art, Fort Lauderdale. The majority of public displays of his illustrations are now found in many aquaria around the world; but it is his publication based work that can most often be seen, in books, field guides, scientific-based literature and magazines.