Working from her studio in Durham, Juliet Percival combines the anatomical knowledge she has from her training in physiology, with a prodigious creative talent honed at Falmouth College of Arts. She’s a medical and scientific illustrator who, in addition to communicating medical information, enjoys adding a creative and personal element to what might otherwise be quite cold and clinical pieces. The human body is beautiful, and she aims to fully appreciate its aesthetic value in her work.
Training
Juliet has first class degrees in Physiology from Edinburgh University, and Illustration from Falmouth College of Arts.Approach
Each piece begins as graphite line work. The initial drawing is scanned in, sometimes with a subtle watercolour background, and coloured digitally using Photoshop’s brushes. The strength of the lines in the image can be adjusted to the client’s wishes. Sometimes, she’ll work from a pen drawing, adding flat digital colours rather than brush work, for a bolder look.Styles
Juliet’s work ranges from highly detailed and realistic watercolours to a much looser drawing style. More spontaneity and personality can often give a cold, scientific subject a warmer aesthetic feel that’s more appealing and accessible. She’d love to illustrate an anatomy book based on her knowledge of the human body but with the scope to pursue a more creative style. Juliet enjoys non-medical commissions too, branching into botany, zoology and even cartography.
