Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Alex Webber is a leading scientific illustrator with a unique talent for illuminating the latest discoveries in medical science and healthcare. Producing outstanding work for an array of book publishers and magazines, her expertise shows through in the way she finds the perfect visual approach to each brief.
Texture and atmosphere are important in Alex’s work and uses various kinds of nature photography as references. Underwater images help her create the right mood when depicting the human body from the inside, and pictures taken in caves can help with bodily cavities. The branches of trees are reminiscent of arteries, and nature’s textures and patterns provide endless fascination for an artist who is dedicated to getting the details right.
The medical illustrators Stephen Gilbert and Frank Armitage are both influences. Alex has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Georgia, and a Masters of Science in Medical Illustration from the Medical College of Georgia.
Approach
Extensive research goes into each project Alex works on. After gathering information, she relaxes her mind and works through the concepts. She does most of her painting in Photoshop, carefully choosing the colour palette for both realism and emphasis.Styles
Alex works in two main styles, depending on the intended audience. The first is light and sketchy, with her pencil drawing showing through for a hand-made feel. Her second style offers a realistic immersion into the human body, like in the film The Fantastic Voyage, where the surroundings can be like an alien landscape.Awards
Communication Arts:
Award of Excellence 2021
American Illustration:
Selected Winner 2021, 2022
Best Cover, American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors:
2012, 2008, 2004, 2003