Brain Case...

[redehlert]

I know...you're thinkin' wow! Cool! A conceptual brain case....

Not too fancy as you concept artists are....but here is a project where I had a client that needed to have a concept created that conveyed a jar that held jello (the equivalent of the cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricles of the brain and three foley catheter balloons - one each for the right and left ventricle and one for the fourth ventricle of the brain.
Why? The client is trying to show how pressure is measured within the head of a child with hydrocephalus (won't go into detail here) and how it can be radiographically studied via imaging to save time in the ER and save lives rather than some other format that is costly and time intensive.
Blah, blah, blah.
I did the line art in illustrator and took care of the highlights in illustrator and photoshop.
Always tring to improve - so thoughts are welcome.
Cheers!
d

http://redehlert.com/conceptart/jar_foleycath.jpg

[Darrell Bowman]

i was thinking my eye picks up these things sorry.

that the jar lid could use a highlight on top or a shadow to give it a bit of volume. it has a light source left to right.
might help give it the seperation of the lid to cut away.
if the lid is a cut away im sorry not reading that as it stands.

my eye lead to the lid not sure what it is then.

maybe needs clarification.

im sorry if it sounds picky but it my responce to it.

[redehlert]

totally cool, man.
thanks for your input!
would you have any ideas for foam?
that's what the 'lid' is supposed to be and yeah, it's a cutaway....sigh...not the best but your input would be most appreciated if you have any clues for how foam would be rendered in that instance.

cheers and thanks!
d

[Darrell Bowman]

first get the real sample.

but the eye needs areas of rest...so i be more inclined
to leave it simplified as opossed to niggling it up.
maybe the gradation from left to right is wrong.
make it a simple black shape.
you sort of want to lead the eye to wear you want me to look
that would mean the detail would be in the focus area.
im not sure that is true of medical illustration.
never worked in that field.
but worked with enough pros to know that you need areas of
rest. letting areas go makes it more illustrator looking.
some people ask me you never finished that area off.
under my breath on my nees saying that goodness.

[redehlert]

it's the same principle in med illus, my friend.
thank you for your tip!...i'll apply it to my portfolio piece version since (alas) this posted version has already been sent off to press.
i do appreciate the pointer on visual rest....i tend to forget some of the specifics of 'illustration' and try to render it all up at times. your advice is keeping me in check!

cheers!

d