Michael Gruber grew up in Salzburg, Austria where he was early exposed to nature and art. Starting with comics and graffiti in school, his focus shifted to scientific illustration during his studies in biology.

In 2015, he founded Hieronymus Illustrations next to his work for a world leading, and highly respected protozoologist (Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Foissner †). During this time, he improved his skills in microscopy and illustrating unicellular organisms.

Academically, he finished his diploma studies in ecology at the University of Vienna and did his PhD in evolutionary biology (taxonomy and systematics) at the University of Salzburg.

In the last years, Michael participated in several illustrational courses and drawing competitions, did his first exhibition, and collaborated with universities, museums, the state government of Salzburg, different companies, and private individuals. His illustrations are published in books, journal articles, educational movies, infographics, and posters.

His homepage is dedicate to his ancestor Hieronymus Loeschenkohl, who was a famous Austrian Engraver in the late 18th century.

Awards:

  • 2018 – Second place Austrian Comic Con (“Avenger Time”)
  • 2018 – First place for best poster at DGP Conference (Cologne, Germany)
  • 2018 – Publication of the Month Award (January, University of Salzburg)
  • 2017 – First place Austrian Comic Con (“The Walking Duck”)
  • 2011 – Walter Fiedler Promotion Price of the Austrian Zoological-Botanical Society (for Diploma Thesis)

 

Participations:

  • 2020 – Scientific illustration online course “Illustra Paleontology”, Academia Illustraciencia (Spain)
  • 2019 – Drawing competition “Hahnenkamm” (Kitzbühl, Austria)
  • 2019 – Scientific illustration online course „Natural History Illustration“, University of Newcastle (Australia)
  • 2018 – Drawing competition „Austrian Comic Con“
  • 2017 – International scientific illustration competition „Illustraciencia“
  • 2017 – Drawing competition „Austrian Comic Con“
  • 2015 – International scientific illustration competition „Illustraciencia“
  • 2014 – Postgraduate course „Introduction to Naturalistic and Scientific Illustration“ (Sabadell / Spain)
  • 2011 – Course „Natural Scientific Drawing and Illustration“ (Vienna)