The use of color in scientific and medical illustration. Part II: Form

The medical illustrator is confronted with the problem of accurately representing three-dimensional form, more than most other illustrators or graphic artists. Often the illustrator who feels competent when working achromatically finds himself feeling insecure when attempting a full-color illustration. With some illustrators, a sense of color seems to be inborn. However, for those who do not feel secure about their own innate sense of color, it should be very encouraging to learn that the general principles of using color effectively and accurately to depict form have been laid down by generations of artists and can be learned. Moreover, the technique of observing and analyzing the ways that color is modulated by form can also be learned.