Scientific accuracy
Developed from verified medical references and aligned with current anatomical and clinical standards. Consistent terminology and visual hierarchy across complete publications.
Clarity for complex concepts
Illustrations remove unnecessary visual noise and focus on essential structures and processes, improving comprehension for students, researchers, and patients.
A structured process
From briefing to final delivery: sketch approval rounds, precise refinement, and publication-ready files, delivered on schedule.
Portfolio
This portfolio brings together selected projects and visual directions within medical illustration, scientific illustration, anatomy, surgery, animal anatomy, and natural history. The work shown reflects a structured approach to visual communication: accurate research, clear composition, careful drawing, and professional preparation for print, digital use, presentation, or publication.
I am Karin Spijker, a certified scientific and medical illustrator. My work focuses on translating complex medical, anatomical, and biological information into visuals that are clear, reliable, and usable for professional audiences.
Related pages:
→ medical illustration
→ scientific illustration
→ anatomy illustration
→ surgical illustration
→ contact
Explore 4 main portfolio categories
This portfolio is organized into four main categories to help you quickly find relevant examples of medical, anatomical, scientific, botanical, and visual storytelling work.
1. Human anatomy and medical illustrations
Human anatomy is central to much of my medical illustration work. These illustrations may focus on organ systems, musculoskeletal anatomy, anatomical structures, pathological conditions, cross-sections, or educational diagrams.
This type of work is often used in textbooks, patient education materials, academic publications, professional presentations, and healthcare communication. The goal is always to make complex anatomical information easier to understand while maintaining medical accuracy.
Explore related pages:
→ human anatomy illustration
→ anatomy illustration
→ medical illustration
→ patient education illustration
Surgical illustration helps explain procedures, anatomical access, tissue relationships, and step-by-step clinical processes. Photography can document a procedure, but illustration can clarify what matters most by removing visual noise and organizing the surgical information.
This area of the portfolio may include surgical visualization, plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery, rhinoplasty, orthopedic illustration, cardiology, urology, neurology, oncology, and other clinical subjects.
2. Animal anatomy and medical illustrations
An animal anatomy illustration connects anatomy, biology, veterinary education, and scientific communication. These visuals may focus on species-specific anatomy, comparative anatomy, veterinary structures, movement, organ systems, or educational explanation.
This part of the portfolio connects naturally to my broader interest in animals, anatomy, nature, and biological form. It includes work and visual directions related to canine, feline, equine, avian, fish, and comparative anatomy.
Explore related pages:
→ animal anatomy illustration
→ veterinary medical illustration
→ comparative anatomy illustration
Scientific illustration supports communication in research, life sciences, biomedical education, publishing, and professional science communication. These visuals may explain biological structures, mechanisms, processes, comparative systems, or research-based concepts.
Depending on the subject, the visual approach may be clean and schematic, detailed and anatomical, or more refined for editorial and publication use. The aim is to translate complex scientific information into a clear visual structure.
3. Botanical illustrations
Botanical illustration focuses on plant-based subjects such as flowers, leaves, stems, seeds, fruits, and structural plant details. These illustrations combine careful observation with a refined visual approach, making natural forms clear, elegant, and suitable for educational, publishing, artistic, or nature-inspired projects.
The focus is on structure, proportion, texture, growth patterns, and visual refinement. Each illustration is created to communicate botanical detail with clarity while preserving the natural character of the subject.
Explore related pages:
→ natural history illustration
→ botanical illustration
→ scientific nature drawing
4. Medical animation and visualization
Some subjects are best explained through motion, sequence, or spatial visualization. Medical animation and scientific visualization can help explain processes that unfold over time, such as mechanisms, procedures, anatomical movement, physiology, or dynamic biological systems.
Although illustration remains the foundation of my work, selected projects may involve animation, 3D-supported visualization, or visual development for motion-based explanation.
Explore related pages:
→ medical animation
→ biomedical animation
→ scientific animation visualization
What this portfolio demonstrates
- anatomical and scientific accuracy
- clear visual hierarchy
- structured communication
- appropriate style for the audience
- professional file preparation
- long-term usability for education, publication, or communication
Process and professional standards
Most projects begin with a clear briefing. The subject, audience, purpose, style, level of detail, deadline, and usage rights are discussed before production starts. Reference material may include medical literature, sketches, photographs, imaging, scientific papers, existing drafts, or expert input.
The process typically moves from research and concept sketches to refinement and final delivery. This structured approach makes it easier to check accuracy early, avoid unnecessary revisions, and prepare the final files for the intended use.
Related pages:
→ hire medical illustrator
A transparent workflow designed for accuracy, clarity, and efficient collaboration.
About Karin Spijker
I am a scientific and medical illustrator with a background in drawing, painting, textile design, and scientific illustration. My work combines anatomical knowledge, visual clarity, and careful artistic execution to communicate complex subjects for education, publishing, healthcare, and professional communication.
Alongside commissioned medical and scientific illustration, I also create nature-inspired work, including animal anatomy and botanical subjects.
Understanding medical illustration pricing
Every project is custom and depends on scope, complexity, and intended usage. If you would like a clear overview of how pricing is structured, including typical ranges and licensing, you can explore the pricing page.
Discuss a project
If you are looking for medical, anatomical, scientific, surgical, animal anatomy, or natural history illustration, this portfolio offers a starting point for exploring my work.
Whether your project involves a single illustration, a series of educational visuals, publication figures, patient communication, or a broader visual system, I can help translate complex information into clear and professionally prepared visuals.
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about the illustration process, timelines, pricing, licensing, file delivery, and collaboration.
