FROM START TO FINISH: How I digitally painted this medical illustration of a kidney

Learn Medical Art
25 Jan 202104:10
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRAnnie Campbell, a medical illustrator and animator, shares an insightful tutorial on creating a kidney cross-section illustration. She outlines the process from initial rough sketching to final rendering, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the organ's form and shape. Annie advises on using reference images for textures and lighting, and demonstrates how to block out colors and add details effectively. The tutorial offers practical tips for medical illustrators, aiming to improve their skills in digital painting and anatomical accuracy.

Takeaways
  • 🎨 The speaker, Annie Campbell, is a medical illustrator and animator.
  • 📝 The video provides an insight into the creation process of a medical illustration of a kidney cross-section.
  • 🖌️ The first step in the process is a rough sketch to determine composition, shape, and form.
  • ✅ Client or art director approval is required after the rough sketch is completed.
  • 📐 Following approval, line work is done, featuring a thicker outer line and thinner inner detail line for visual interest.
  • 🎨 The next step is color blocking to determine color combinations and understand how light interacts with different planes of the illustration.
  • 🚫 It's advised to resist the urge to add details or highlights at the color blocking stage to avoid wasting production time.
  • 🖼️ Reference images are recommended for accurately depicting textures, as with figures, to aid in the rendering process.
  • 💡 Using a sphere with arrows indicating light sources can be a helpful visual reference for shading and understanding lighting.
  • 🔧 The final illustration's PSD file is structured to allow for easy background interchange and quick adjustments with adjustment layers.
  • 📢 The tutorial encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel for similar content and to ask questions or suggest topics for future mini case studies.
Q & A

  • What is Annie Campbell's profession?

    -Annie Campbell is a medical illustrator and animator.

  • What is the purpose of the video Annie Campbell is presenting?

    -The purpose of the video is to give viewers a glimpse into the process of creating a medical illustration of a kidney cross section.

  • What are the initial steps in creating a medical illustration according to Annie's studio's process?

    -The initial steps include creating a rough sketch to determine composition, shape, and form, and then getting approval from clients or art directors.

  • What is the significance of sketching the organ in its entirety before creating a cross-section?

    -Sketching the organ in its entirety before creating a cross-section helps maintain the correct form and shape of the organ in the illustration.

  • What is the next step after sketching the form and adding details in a medical illustration?

    -The next step is to implement the final line work, which typically includes a thicker outer line and thinner inner detail line for variability and interest.

  • Why is it important to block out colors before starting the rendering process?

    -Blocking out colors is important to determine which color combinations work well and to figure out which planes face the light and which face away from it, which is crucial for accurate shading and rendering.

  • What advice does Annie give for those who might struggle with lighting and value shading?

    -Annie suggests using reference images for textures and drawing a little sphere in the canvas with arrows pointing out the direction of the light sources as a visual reference while shading.

  • What does Annie suggest to do in the background while starting the rendering process?

    -Annie suggests putting on a podcast or YouTube video in the background to make the rendering process more enjoyable.

  • How does Annie structure her PSD file to allow for easy adjustments?

    -Annie structures her PSD file in a way that allows for easy interchange of backgrounds and quick adjustments using adjustment layers.

  • What does Annie encourage viewers to do if they have questions or suggestions for future content?

    -Annie encourages viewers to comment below with any questions or suggestions for other mini case studies they would like to see.

  • How can viewers stay updated with Annie's channel and videos?

    -Viewers can subscribe to Annie's channel and hit the bell icon to receive notifications for new videos.

Outlines
00:00
🎨 Introduction to Medical Illustration Process

Annie Campbell, a medical illustrator and animator, introduces herself and the video's purpose: to provide insight into the creation of a medical illustration of a kidney cross section. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and outlines the steps involved in medical illustration, including rough sketching, line work, color blocking, and rendering. Annie encourages viewers to ask questions and promises a step-by-step breakdown of the illustration process.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Medical Illustrator
A medical illustrator is a professional who creates visual representations of medical and biological information. They combine artistic skill with an understanding of medical science to produce accurate and informative images. In the video, Annie Campbell introduces herself as a medical illustrator and animator, indicating her role in creating detailed and scientifically accurate illustrations for medical education and communication.
💡Medical Animation
Medical animation refers to the process of creating animated visual content that explains medical procedures, anatomy, or diseases. It is a specialized field that requires knowledge of both animation techniques and medical concepts. Annie, as a medical animator, uses animation to bring medical illustrations to life, making them more engaging and easier to understand for the audience.
💡Rough Sketch
A rough sketch is a preliminary drawing that outlines the basic composition, shapes, and forms of an illustration before the final details are added. It serves as a blueprint for the artwork. In the context of the video, the rough sketch is the first step in creating a medical illustration of a kidney cross section, where Annie determines the composition and fundamental art elements.
💡Line Work
Line work refers to the use of lines in an illustration to define shapes, create depth, and add detail. It is a crucial part of the illustration process that can enhance the visual appeal and clarity of the artwork. In the video, Annie mentions doing 'lovely line work' as a step after the rough sketch is approved, highlighting its importance in the medical illustration process.
💡Color Blocking
Color blocking is the process of assigning colors to different areas of an illustration to establish a visual color scheme and to determine how light interacts with the subject. It is a critical step in the illustration process that helps in visualizing the final look before adding detailed textures and shading. Annie discusses blocking out colors to figure out which parts of the kidney illustration are facing light and which are in shadow.
💡Rendering Process
Rendering is the final stage of an illustration where the artist adds details, textures, and shading to create a realistic and polished look. It involves digitally painting and enhancing the illustration to bring it to life. In the video, Annie describes the rendering process as the 'fun part' where she adds glossy highlights and other details to the kidney cross section illustration.
💡Cross Section
A cross section is a type of illustration that shows an internal view of a three-dimensional object as if it had been cut through, revealing its internal structure. It is commonly used in medical illustrations to show the anatomy of organs. In the video, the main theme revolves around creating a cross section of a kidney, which requires a detailed understanding of the kidney's internal structure.
💡Form and Proportions
Form and proportions refer to the shape and relative sizes of the parts of an illustration, which need to be accurate to represent the subject correctly. In medical illustrations, precise form and proportions are essential for conveying accurate anatomical information. Annie emphasizes the importance of getting the form and proportions right before moving on to line work and coloring in her kidney illustration.
💡Texture
Texture in an illustration refers to the visual representation of the surface quality of an object, which can simulate the appearance of different materials like skin, metal, or in this case, tissue. Using reference images for textures, as Annie suggests, helps in creating a more realistic depiction of the subject. In the context of the video, texture is an important aspect of the rendering process for the kidney illustration.
💡Lighting and Value Shading
Lighting and value shading are techniques used in illustration to simulate how light falls on an object and creates shadows, which adds depth and realism to the artwork. Annie discusses the challenge of lighting and value shading and suggests using a visual reference, like a sphere with arrows indicating light sources, to help with shading the kidney illustration.
💡Reference Images
Reference images are photographs, drawings, or other visual materials that artists use for guidance when creating an illustration. They help ensure accuracy and provide a basis for the visual elements being depicted. In the video, Annie recommends using reference images for textures in medical illustrations, just as they would for figures, to maintain realism and accuracy.
Highlights

Introduction to the process of creating a medical illustration of a kidney cross section.

Starting with a rough sketch to determine composition, shape, and form.

Client or art director approval is required after the rough sketch.

Moving on to line work to add variability and interest to the illustration.

Color blocking to figure out color combinations and light planes.

Importance of understanding light direction for accurate shading.

Avoiding premature detailing to prevent wasting production time.

The rendering process involves digitally painting and adding details.

Using reference images for textures to ensure accuracy.

Struggling with lighting and value shading can be addressed with visual aids.

Creating a structured PSD file for easy background interchange and adjustments.

Final illustration showcases the detailed kidney cross section.

Invitation for viewers to comment with questions or suggestions for future case studies.

Encouragement to subscribe to the channel for similar educational content.

Notification bell icon reminder for viewers to stay updated with new videos.

Thank you message to the viewers for watching the tutorial.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
Medical IllustrationAnimationTutorialKidney Cross SectionArt FundamentalsIllustration ProcessDigital PaintingLighting TechniquesColor BlockingReference Images