Types of Illustration – Styles and Techniques

Techniques for making Illustration changed over time, as materials are also changing and evolving with the time. Artist relied not limited into pen, paper and pencil but get into the digital era evolution, even artist comfortable to traditional mediums and materials started working digitally- with the help of 2D and 3D software. The digital tools and techniques imitate traditional material and effects allow them to change the material and colors easily.

Some words about the traditional types of illustration…

1. Pencil Illustration

Pencil Illustration is one of the most popular Illustrations. Pencil drawing executed with an instrument composed of graphite which allow you to create soft shadows and transitions, as well creating sharp, accurate lines.

2. Charcoal Illustration

Charcoal is a black crumbly drawing material made out of carbon that create a range of textures, representing materials and shadows, people, objects and the natural world. But not perfect as pen and pencil illustrations but preferred choice for illustrating flat sketches, and under-drawing for paintings.

3. Watercolor illustration

The main thing in water color is used pigment and hues that create nuances and different transparencies by adding water to the color. The feeling of watercolor illustration is soft and smooth effect with lots of depth. The technique is one of the easiest and best ways of creating splashes of color, merging with any other color easily.

4. Gouache Illustrations

Gouache paint is almost similar to watercolor modified to make opaque. It gives rich, thicker, bit darker shades than watercolor.

Commercial artist often use gouache for work such as posters, illustrations, comics and for other design work. Using gouache as poster paint is desirable for its speed as the paint layer dries completely by the relatively quick evaporation of the water

5. Acrylic Illustrations

Acrylics are one of the most preferred techniques for beginners. It is relatively easier to work with as compare to watercolor or oils. The artist can achieve both similar effects to oils and watercolors. These paints are very versatile as they also come as fluorescent, metallic and other interesting effects.