Learn more about Illustration

Illustration can be used for applications ranging from book and poster design to multimedia presentations. But it’s also a standalone practice whose principles can inform sculpture, painting, portraiture, and more.

Frequently asked questions
An illustration is a drawing that provides a strong visual to accompany a text, story, concept, or process. Artists can create illustrations using a variety of media, including but not limited to: graphite, colored pencils, watercolor, ink, markers, or even digital. They can be purely decorative like pattern design, technical like instructional diagrams, or even considered fine art like works by American artist Norman Rockwell. Historically, illustrations were used to provide visual imagery for books, magazines, and other various publications. Today, thanks to our digital evolution, illustrations are an integral part of our modern visual lives and create commercials, television and film, websites, and even social media.