Red Blood Cells // Watercolour Somatic Cells

Continued watercolour cell illustrations for bio-engineering company, the wonderful Fluidigm. This illustration required a river of red blood cells, using oranges, reds and purple colour tones. Here is an initial test piece. 

The challenge was to draw many cells at different angles and then to place the shadows in the correct places. Each red blood cell has a middle indentation, with the overall shape of the cell being disc-like. Some of these are a little too bumpy/wobbly looking for red blood cells, and were later corrected with smoother outlines.  

After experimenting with colours and practising the shape, I incorporated some perspective into the flowing cells by varying the richness of colour. Here are some of my favourites from the final piece. 

Fluidigm (C) www.fluidigm.com

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2019

www.amyholliday.co.uk

RNA // Somatic Cell Illustration Process

Continued watercolour cell illustrations for bio-engineering company, the wonderful Fluidigm. 

This time RNA, (DNA's single stranded-counterpart). I began with some initial concept

sketches, exploring various orientations:

The most linear shape was decided on to be the most instantly recognisable, also so that each end had the potential to link-up in order to create an extended version.

Then followed many colour "test-runs" - to experiment with colour-scheme concepts, and some additional extras to practice technique. Here are a just a few of the tests:

The final RNA strand is a vivid teal with chartreuse-green and fuchsia highlights. As with the previous linear DNA illustrations, there is also an extended, longer version. 

Fluidigm (C) www.fluidigm.com

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2019

www.amyholliday.co.uk

Asymmetrical DNA // Somatic Cell Illustration Process

Continued watercolour cell illustrations for bio-engineering company, the wonderful Fluidigm. An asymmetrical-style DNA helix, including open-ends which allow it to link-up upon itself in order to create an extended, longer version of itself. This one was a little trickier to draw...

Then followed a series of colour tests, using bright greens and rich blues:

 The final DNA strand has rich tones, with deep shadows and bright highlights:

Fluidigm (C) www.fluidigm.com

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2019

www.amyholliday.co.uk

Watercolour DNA // Somatic Cell Illustration Process

Continued watercolour cell illustrations for a bio-engineering client. This time to produce organic, fluid and beautiful-looking DNA helices. 

Initial concept sketches: To help produce these designs, the creative team continually request additional input from working scientists, who help to ensure the images being portrayed remain somewhat realistic and scientifically-correct.

When the shape and style of the helix had been determined, the next stage was to find the most effective way to add colour.

In addition to a vertical helix, a horizontal design was also suggested:

The final, finished illustrations are... a bold, vertical helix shape in turquoise and purple with chartreuse-green and fuchsia-pink highlights:

...with an accompanying horizontal perspective using a similar colour-theme:

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2019

www.amyholliday.co.uk