Illustration is a powerful medium inside design. It can add life, personality and vitality to whatever it accompanies, while remaining beautifully decorative in context. An age old art; style in illustration is constantly evolving, providing a rich array of possibilities. While web design fads tend to conform to a common set of trends within a period; illustration design remains timeless.
In order to stay informed of these characteristics and trends, we need to observe what is considered successful design and draw inspiration from it (while maintaining fresh originality). Below are some sources of Illustrative Inspiration, including blogs, articles, and tutorial-centric websites.
Artists
The heart and soul of the illustration industry. They breathe life and vitality into works, and constantly develop a plethora of styles.
David Lanham’s personal portfolio of manual and digital artwork, toys, and downloadable treats.
Alex Dukal - traditional and digital illustrator with a very unique painterly style.
Veerle Pieters, an Illustrator and Graphic designer shares her thoughts and methodologies of vector illustration. Also includes easy to follow tutorials for all skill levels.
Nick Ainsley’s Illustration design porfolio of work. Prints and Free Wallpapers as well.
Blogs and Magazines
Resources that remain up to date with current trends and events in Illustration, as well as outlets for showcasing artists and their work.
Drawn is a blog featuring resources, artwork, news, interviews as well as other inspirational morsels of content, and is regularly updated with a diverse range of style. It caters for Illustrators, Animators and Cartoonists.
GoMediaZine is a collection of ePublications by working artists & designers contributing towards a resource rich in experience and valuable design resources
Tutorial sites
With new software being developed and revised, it is often a burden to learn the ropes by experimentation alone. Tutorials can help to inspire new methods and de-mystify software packages.
Vectortuts shares tutorials and articles for various vector illustration packages. Includes tutorials for all skill levels, and tutorial discussion and art sharing in the flickr group pool.
Learn the ropes of Adobe Illustrator in 30 days. Covers all of the information you need to master the tools of Illustrator.
Nick La of BestWebGallery and WebDesignerWall shares a wide range of Adobe Illustrator tips. Step by step tutorials and source files included.
References and Resources
When you are stuck for ideas, or just need some reference to get that job completed.
Vecteezy is a library of free vector source files, updated every day.
Flickr’s largest illustration pool, with works from a vast base of artists. Useful for exposure and uncovering new work.
Draw Space hosts a wide range of traditionally grounded drawing lessons, colour theory, methods of shading, composition and more.
Further Resources
- Illustration Friday
A weekly themed illustration challenge. - Human Anatomy
Large list of Human anatomy references. - Figure drawing books
PDF versions of priceless, comprehensive drawing books. - Mojizu
Contempory Character Design Community. - Yay Monday!
A weekly collection of fantastic things.
Know of some other amazing sources? Share your favourites!
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The Commentary
Currently 8 responses.
A great article - I am always looking for good sites to keep an eye on. Some of those I already check regularly, a couple more, I am going to have to check out. Thanks! :D
YOU should be on this list <3
@Kat Glad you dig! There’s always new dandy things to find.
@Jenna Being inspired by myself? That’s a bit ego inflating ;)
Aw, was just saying! I’d put you on my site if I had one!!
Well shucks!
I really love the new things you have been putting on your Flickr. You are amazing!!
Lovely collection, really loving David Lanham’s work, thanks for sharing.
sweet
but well, when it comes to good illustration I’d always be returning to this site.