Illustration

An illustration is a depiction (such as a drawing, painting, photograph, or other image) that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information (such as a story, poem, or newspaper article).

Leon, the Professional ~ Phil Noto

An illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text. The illustration, may be intended to clarify complicated concepts or objects that are difficult to describe textually which is the reason illustrations are often found in children's books.

“They’re watching you” ~ Stephen Gammell

Illustrations have been used in advertisements, greeting cards, posters, books, magazines, and newspapers. A cartoon illustration can add humor to humorous essays.

Tyrannosaurus Rex ~ Frank Frazetta

During the 15th century, books illustrated with woodcut illustrations became available. The main processes used for reproduction of illustrations during the 16th and 17th centuries were engraving and etching.

The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed in Sun ~ William Blake

At the end of the 18th century, lithography allowed even better illustrations to be reproduced. The most notable illustrator of this epoch was William Blake who rendered his illustrations in the medium of relief etching.