Profile




Tawatha T. Elguero

Based in Oslo, Norway.

Contact:
collab.tawatha@proton.me

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I create research-led visuals that make biological structures, ecological relationships, and environmental processes clear and engaging. 

I work with researchers, conservationists, and environmental organisations to translate scientific knowledge into visual narratives that support the understanding, restoration, and protection of ecosystems and nature.





Background

My background combines self-directed study with formal training in scientific illustration through specialised courses, and the Illustraciencia Academy. I have worked with students, researchers, and environmental organisations, including the Roots & Shoots educational program of the Jane Goodall Institute in Spain.

Since 2018, I have been active in citizen science, contributing species observations across Europe through iNaturalist and supporting research projects through Zooniverse. I am also a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators and DNT: The Norwegian Trekking Association.


Testimonials

“Ms. Elguero’s work is always carried out with great professionalism, commitment, attention to detail, talent, and care, which is evident in the final results.”

Marisa Mariñán, Coordinator of Roots & Shoots, Jane Goodall Institute Spain

”As a primatologist and researcher, I deeply value Tawatha’s work and perspective as a scientific illustrator. She has a remarkable ability to combine scientific rigor with artistic sensitivity, creating illustrations that are not only beautiful, but also meaningful and highly effective for science communication. Over the years, I have always been impressed by her professionalism, curiosity, and genuine passion for nature and science. I specially appreciate people capable of building such a strong bridge between art and science.” 

Dr. Miquel Llorente

Director, Master’s Degree in Scientific Illustration in Natural Sciences, Universitat de Girona

Director, Master’s Degree in Primatology, Universitat de Barcelona


“I came across Tawatha’s work by chance, and it was an amazing find. I needed highly specific hyperrealistic illustrations for a scientific article, and the result exceeded all my expectations. Even though the subjects were almost indistinguishable from one another, she captured each individual’s uniqueness perfectly while staying in close contact with me throughout the process for feedback. She was an abdolute pleasure to work with.”

Carla Pascual, Primatologist, UdG (Universidad de Girona)

Skills

Visual Communication
Scientific Illustration
Graphics
Research & Information Synthesis
Ecological Storytelling
Field Observation
Creativity and Innovation


Software

Adobe Creative Suite
QGIS
Blender

Tawatha T. Elguero       Scientific Illustration Visual Communication


Making the  
Invisible Visible


Revealing the structures, processes, and relationships
of the natural world through scientific illustration, and
visual communication.










Case Studies 
Field Notes Blog



CS-4

Black-capped Squirrel Monkey
Saimiri boliviensis
Species reconstruction

Carla Pascual
University of Girona · January · 2023

Four hyperrealistic portraits to support research exploring the relationship between individual personality and vocalisations in Saimiri.


Black-capped squirrel monkeys
Saimiri boliviensis
Scientific illustration
Species reconstruction
Digital painting · Photoshop
Girona, Catalunya.
2023


Context


I created four hyperrealistic portraits of Black-capped squirrel monkeys for a primatology study by Carla Pascual at the University of Girona, investigating the relationship between individual personality and vocalisations.


Research & Development


Because the monkeys were wild, the available reference photographs were often low quality, making individual identification the main challenge.




Working from limited, low-quality photographs of wild individuals, I reconstructed each monkey in Photoshop, focusing on subtle differences in facial structure, and identifying features to make each portrait easy to recognise.



The aim was not simply to create realistic monkeys, but to produce accurate, recognisable portraits of specific individuals that could support the research.





Top © 2026 Tawatha T. Elguero