If one tries to figure out the first illustrations on the planet, they will be taken back all the way to the cave paintings by ancient men. Illustrations in books surfaced only after the invention of the printing press. Traditionally speaking, illustrations have always been part of books. They should not be looked as mere decoration of the books became of the greater amount of information the reader can derive from those drawings. In the past centuries, examples of illustrations have included books illustrated by copper engraving, woodcuts and wood engraving (Eshragh 9).Diagrams were essential in a mathematical or scientific textbook for beater explanation. The essay looks at some of the famous illustrators in history spanning the time farm from before 1900 till 2000. Two illustrators are selected from each decade and their work discussed by taking examples of their work.
1850-1900 Rolf Armstrong – 1889-1960Rolf Armstrong is known for creating lasting images of beautiful women with the lasting images of beautiful women and a bold color choice. His first cover was for the Judge Magazine in 1912, and he worked for other periodicals as College Humor, Pictorial Review, Puck, Metropolitan, The Saturday Evening Post and Life. Armstrong also illustrated advertisements for Hires Root Beer, Old Gold Cigarettes, Old Gold Cigarettes and Nehi Soda. He always insisted on using live models for his sketches (Rolf Armstrong 2016)."I'll Say So” -1947 Rolf Armstrong, pastels, Salute Magazine
Edwin Austin Abbey– 1852 -1911 Edwin Austin Abbey studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and worked for Harper's Weekly as a teenager. His illustrations in pen and ink can be seen in several books, including William Shakespeare. He was the commission to paint King Edward VII's in1902 as Westminster Abbey. He created illustrations for a range of American publications and murals throughout the rest of his life (Edwin Austin Abbey 2016).“The Coronation of King Edward VII”, 1902-7 Edwin Austin Abbey, Oil on canvas, mural for the Royal Exchange 1904.1900-1910Austin Briggs 1908 – 1973 Austin Briggs learned to draw at an early age, and he won a scholarship to the Wicker Art School, in Detroit. He soon got skilled at rendering the human figure and worked as an assistant for illustrator, painting pretty girls and rich men. He has created top illustrations for top magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, Cosmopolitan, and Redbook as well as for the famous comic strip Flash Gordon. He is known for using tools such as crayon and charcoal, creating great subtlety and sensitivity (Austin Briggs 2016).
"Cosmopolitan" 1940Austin Briggs, Gouache on Illustration Board CosmopolitanJohn Atherton – 1900 -1952 John Atherton’s first love was nature, and he loved to fish and hunt, thus showing a little inclination towards art. He worked in the Navy during World War I and played the banjo and worked as a sign painter to make money. He entered California School of Fine Arts and got the best training available. His first jobs were with commercial art firms. It was his use of decorative style in his commercial work that made a breakthrough for Atherton. His work is collected by Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art in New York (John Atherton 2016).
”The Black Horse, John Atherton” 1942 John Atherton. Oil on canvas, “Artists for Victory” Competition
1910-1920 Joe De Mers 1910-1984 Joe De Mers specialized in demonstrating post-war American women in a non-conventional manner. His illustrations comprise of glamorous career women and adventure-seeking ladies I search of romance. His first editorial task for Fortune and son he started getting work from major national magazines The Saturday Evening Post, Ladies' Home Journal and other major national magazines. His work has been exhibited at the New York Museum of Modern Art, Los Angeles County Museum and Corcoran Museum of Art (Joe De Mers 2016).“Love Dies Slowly” De Mers, Watercolor Painting; Illustration.
Gil Elvgren 1914- 1980Gil Elvgren studied at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. He was mentored by none other than Haddon Sundblom, who is the creator of the iconic Santa Claus of Coca-Cola. Elvgren worked for Brown & Bigelow from 1945 to 1972, making illustrations for calendars. His pin-ups based on original paintings are well-known and in high demand. “Thinking of You” is one of his most famous works and sold at an auction for $209,000 USD. His basic technique was oil on canvas, and he did hundreds of canvases and each of them a masterpiece (Gil Elvgren 2016).“Thinking of You” 1962 Gil Elvgren, oil on canvas, Brown and Bigelow calendar 1962
1920-1930 Everett Raymond Kinstler 1926 Everett Raymond Kinstler was influenced by his close friendships with artists and influential illustrators such as John Singer Sargent and James Montgomery Flagg. His compositions have always been in demand and collected by noted institutions nationwide, such as Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery and Society of Illustrators. His artistic interests developed early in his life, and he developed an early appreciation for illustration. He worked on a comic strip for an Army newspaper. Looking back at his illustrious career, he has captured an impressive list of famous people on his canvas such as Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Alexander Calder, Paul Newman, Katharine Hepburn (Everett Raymond Kinstler 2016).
“Women in Love”, 1955 Everett Raymond Kinstler, Oil on canvas, Book jacket illustrationMort Kunstler 1927 Mort Kunstler was born in Brooklyn and showed an inborn talent for art as a child. He bought art supplies and instructed himself to paint what you see. He attended art classes at the Brooklyn Museum and the experience exposed him to a vast variety of artists. By mid-1950s, he became a skilled artist who was working for prominent publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Sports Afield, Outdoor Life, and Life, that published his work regularly. His dynamic illustrations were based on themes of man’s encounters with nature and crime. He continued to paint what he saw in front of him but also created visual fantasies (Mort Kunstler 2016).
“Russ Togs/World”, Mort Kunstler, Oil on canvas, Wildlife Fund 1930-1940R.O. Blechman 1930 R. O. Blechman is a well-known illustrator, graphic novelist, children’s book author, and animator. His work is seen as an important touchstone in modern illustration art, and it is evident from his work in The New Yorker, The New York Times and The Huffington Post. He was awarded the award of Illustrator of the Year by Adweek and won Emmy for "The Soldier’s Tale. The National Cartoonists Society in 2010 honored him with Lifetime Achievement Award, and he was initiated into the Illustrators Hall of Fame at the Society of Illustrators. The illustrator has focused on different visual themes, and his work reflects different experiences of his from the past (R.O. Blechman 2016).
“Parody of the Freedom from Fear by Norman Rockwell” 2008 R.O. Blechman Mixed media on paper
Jacqui Morgan 1939-2013 Jacqui Morgan studied BFA and began her career in textile design. However, in1963 she began working as a freelance illustrator in New York City and created a poster for New York City nightclub. Her work shows a dimensional realism exaggerated lights, shadows, and colors. There is a more painterly style, and the line around her forms disappear. She has worked with watercolor and dyes (Jacqui Morgan 2016).“Dancing in the Fire”, 2000 Jacqui Morgan, water color, Book cover
1940-1950 Istvan Banyai -1949Istvan Banyai was born in Budapest in 1949 and showed his artistic inclination at an early age. He trained in graphic design and illustrative drawing at University of Art and Design in Budapest and began working as a graphic designer later. He designed for record albums, advertisements and movie posters and soon became aware of Western pop culture and artistic trends. He worked for magazines such as The Atlantic, Playboy, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair among others (Istvan Banyai 2016).
“Objectivity”, Istvan Banyai 2011
Wendell Minor 1944 Wendell Minor explored many regions in America during his childhood. He started making original designs for Hallmark Cards once he completed at the Ringling School of Art and Design Florida. His illustrations are made of more than 2,000 works and can be seen on every jacket for books by Pulitzer Prize-winning author. His art is an act of preservation, and it is hard to match the richly done illustrations in his accomplished art (Wendell Minor 2016).
“Truman”, 1992 Wendell Minor, gouache paint, David McCullough’s book cover
1950-1960John “Derf” Backderf – 1959John Backderf started his career as an illustrator for an amusing comic strip in "The City,” that shows the struggles of the middle-class American male. He has also illustrated the well-known graphic novel, "My Friend Dahmer," and his illustrations tell a compelling story (John “Derf” Backderf 2016).
“My Friend Dahmer “, John Backderf. 1997 heavy ink, Fantagraphics' Zero Zero
Steve Brodner 1954Steve Brodner is perhaps the most influential political illustrators of today. The precision and directness in his powerful images speak to us in a forceful manner and offer fresh perspectives, revealing the painful truths of the world. His deftly executed drawings shed light on American political scene. His illustrations can be seen in noted periodical such as New York, Mother Jones, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Sports Illustrated, The Village Voice and The Washington Post. The political illustrator starts with a sketch book and a pencil to develop ideas and exaggerates recognizable features like most caricaturists (Steve Brodner 2016).“Bushanos” Steve Brodner 2004
1960-1970Mary Jane Begin 1963Mary Jane’s illustration career started when she was a student at the Rhode Island School of Design. Her merchandising and advertising work comprises of posters, prints, games, greeting cards, textbooks, and magazines. She has clients such as Pearson Education, Harcourt Publishing, Franklin Mint, Disney, Macmillan McGraw Hill, Scott Foresman and Dalmatian Press. She is the creator of Willow Buds that has been inspired by The Wind in the Willows (Mary Jane Begin 2016).Willow Buds When Toady Met Ratty. Mary Jane Begin 2008Tony DiTerlizzi 1969Tony DiTerlizzi’s world is still made of dragons, goblins, space monsters and insects, and it seems that he still hasn’t grown up. He started drawing as a child and dinosaurs were one of his favorite subjects. He was always fascinated by endless designs in nature and often spent his summers illustrating fantastic creatures. His teamed up with Lucasfilm to produce a picture book on Star Wars film trilogy for the new generation of readers. The artist has created new images of old monsters like owl bears, goblins, and beholders. His first picture book “Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon Pie Adventure” debuted in 2000 (Tony DiTerlizzi 2016).
“Pacific Sea-Maid” Tony DiTerlizzi. watercolor and gouache, Spiderwicks Field Guide.
1970-1980Alex Ross 1970Alex Ross is looked upon as one of the supreme artists in the field of comic books. His brilliant works of fine art and expertise with gouache paint has revitalized classic superhero. His works have revolutionized the comic book industry. He started drawing from memory when he was just three years of age and by the time he was 13, he was drawing original comic books. He along with his collaborator Kurt Busiek showcased the history of Marvel Universe from 1939 to 1973. He has enjoyed breakthrough success with his work in comic books and continues to transform decades-old symbols of strength and optimism into realistic portrayals for the current generation (Alex Ross 2016).
Monsters”, 1994 Alex Ross, gouache, Marvel Comics
Craig Thompson 1975 The noted graphic novelist, Craig Thompson, is most famous for his auto-biographical book, Blankets. His childhood was spent in rural Wisconsin and a fundamentalist Christian family. His claim to success was limited to newspaper comic strips, and one can see that as the major influence on his artistic style. His struggles with his strict Christian faith, experience with first love and s interactions with his family inflicted his work and thoughts. He has been acknowledged with awards for Best Cartoonist and Best Artist. Habibi is an award-winning graphic novel that shows the story of two lovers from the Islamic culture (Craig Thompson 2016).
“Blankets”, 2003 Craig Thompson, Graphic Novel
1980-1990Tobias Krejtschi 1980Tobias Krejtsch, studied Illustration in Hamburg and has won several contests. He has won Troisdorf Picture Book Award and was nominated for the German Youth Literature Award “Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis.“ Crafty Mama Sambona was his first picture book and he received several awards for it. The book has been translated into several languages. “One Red Shoe” has bene names as the most Beautiful German Books of 2013 by the German Book Art Foundation under the children’s book category.
“One Red Shoe”, 2013 Tobias Krejtschi, Book illustration
Emma Adbåge 1982
Emma Adbåge studied illustration and comic-strip drawing in Sweden. She is an author as well as a book illustrator and author who illustrates her and other authors’ text. She works for newspapers and educational and comic books publishers. She received the Silver Award for Swedish Illustrators and Graphic Designers’ competition in 2010 and has won Sven Rydén Prize.
“Sven Sticker / Sven is hungry – Alfabeta”, 2012 Emma Adbåge, picture book Sven käkar ma 1990-2000Dileydi Florez 1990 Dileydi Florez is a freelancer designer and illustrator from Colombia and lives and works in Lisbon. She studies and regularly draws to improve her ability in illustrations and plus; this is what she loves to do best. The Colombian Artist combines reality and imagination in her illustrations to create new situations and environments. She has won numerous awards and scholarships and has held solo exhibitions.
“Muses Exhibition”, 2015 Dileydi Florez, gouache and graphite on paper on paper, Solo exhibition on Véronique Boutique
Alexandra Zutto Alexandra Zutto is a young freelance illustrator from Russia. Her subtle and vector based work is more suited for garments and T-shirts and borders between charming and ominous. Threadless has converted her design into T-shirt designs and was commissioned by Penn Publishing Company to illustrate Old French Fairy Tales. Even when she was a little girl, Zutto loved to draw and carried her Moleskin everywhere. She works on Photoshop and Illustrator.
“A very long journey. Part 1.” 2009 Alexandra Zutto, Print Design vector illustration
Works Cited
Eshragh, Bahar. "Illustration of Children’s Books: History, Definitions, and Genres by Zohreh Ghaeni." Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature 52.4 (2014): 169-70. Web.“Austin Briggs.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.“Alex Ross.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.“Craig Thompson.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Everett Raymond Kinstler.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016
“Edwin Austin Abbey.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Gil Elvgren.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Istvan Banyai.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Jacqui Morgan.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016
“John “Derf” Backderf.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“John Atherton.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Joe De Mers.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.“Mary Jane Begin.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Mort Kunstler.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“R.O. Blechman.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Rolf Armstrong.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.“Steve Brodner.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Tony DiTerlizzi.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
“Wendell Minor.” illustrationhistory. 2016. Web. 9 April. 2016.
