As a nation, we have failed time and again to celebrate the value of art, though our history declares otherwise.  The large part of the population still considers art as a non-essential affair, not paramount to our living. In the recent years, the scenario has begun to change. More people embrace the craft, and there an increase in its patronage. The success of art biennials in prominent cities across the nation are proof of this fact.

An Introduction to Illustrations

   An illustration is simply a printed work of art. It can be anything from a drawing to a painting or a simple sketch. Illustrations mostly accompany any text, which can also be of commercial nature. For several years illustrations were predominantly a part of newspapers and magazines.

  One can commonly find illustrations in comic books, cartoon strips, greeting cards, advertisements, and as animation. Many techniques are used to create illustrations, like sketching and painting.

  To replicate these illustrations processes such as woodcuts, etching and lithography were commonly used. Since the advent of technology, the graphic software is used to create illustrations. Among the most widely used software are Photoshop, Abode Illustrator and Corel Draw.

 A few illustrators, however, stick to the traditional methods of pen and ink, watercolours, and wood engraving.

The History of the Craft

   The origins of illustrations are as old as civilisation. From the cave paintings of India to the ones in Spain, different races have embodied this form of art. These caves have several illustrations of what the people observed around them. The artwork on the cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora are renowned for their unique style. It has survived thousands of years since its inception.

   From the earliest collectives, it is apparent that several rulers and kingdoms across the Bharat continent patronized art. From the Mauryans to Guptas to the Mughals, there have been great connoisseurs of art. Before the Mughal era, the illustrations on the temple walls in the Northern region were imminent.

  In the Medieval age, during the rise of Bhakti Movement, illustrations were found accompanying texts that supported the Vaishnava cult.

  Following the Medieval period, since the early days of printing, illustrations have accompanied written texts in the newspapers and magazines. During the independence struggle, several home grown publishing houses, depended on the power of illustrations to add dynamism to the written texts of patriotism.

The Styles of Illustration

    There are several styles of illustrations. The ones for children or the ones used for arts and crafts are prevalent. The other forms that are practised include:

• Art Deco
• Expressionism
• Romanticism
• Realism
• Gothic
• Surrealism
• Punk
• Comic
• Caricatures
• Post-modern illustrations
• Digital

Is Illustration Considered Fine Art?

   An illustration is seen as an explanation of an idea, and hence people do not view it as a fine art. Fine art is an approach that creates thoughts and raises questions. However, these petty differences cannot deny the fact that any art is supreme.

  The illustration is a more freeing art form, something that a common man can appreciate and enjoy without much examination of the minute details. Illustrators require high levels of skill and vision and a signature style. Several talented and young Indians embracing this art form are on the rise.

  In the recent years, corporate houses have supported this type of art, in accommodating them in their spaces. There are several platforms including the virtual ones and flea markets that bring this kind of art to the masses. Illustrations are the objet d’art that is an aesthetic collectable for a common man.

LSI Keywords: work of art, drawing, painting, plain sketch, fine art, illustrations in comic books, pen and ink, watercolours, wood engraving, illustrations for children, collectable for a common man.

Why would buying a comic book cover illustration be any lesser than getting a reproduction of a famous painting? What is modern and tacky may very well be cherished memorabilia with time. Postergully thinks over this difference.

Any art gallery worth its salt will have a corner shop with reproductions and posters of the art hung willy-nilly on its walls. That’s the butter on the bread, for those who have yet to figure out why. Get impressed by the psychotropic blazing of colour on that wall? Buy a copy at the annexe.

But here’s the thing, why would an illustration be any less than high art? Would a Will Eisner cover of the Spirit comic be any lesser than a painting by KG Subramanyan? Or a Frank Miller cover of Dark Horse be a sullying factor if it stood next to a Goya masterpiece?

Illustrations Got Them Fame

Some of the world’s greatest painters and artists delved into illustrations to express their vision to the world. Take Salvador Dali, for example. In a pinch, his paintings are enough to motivate art lovers to pitch puppies into hot water. The artist created some of the most profound art via the medium of illustrations. Take ‘Les Diners de Gala’, a cookbook which Dali graced by illustrating. The illustrations of food, done by the master of the surrealist art, have layers of meaning unto themselves.

Or, Norman Rockwell, one of America’s most famous and revered artists. Bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Rockwell did hundreds of illustrations for magazines such as Life, Literary Digest, The Saturday Evening Post and Country Gentleman.

Even Satyajit Ray, Andy Warhol and Amrita Shergill for that matter. But we know the tree we’re hacking away.

Coming Back To Modern Material, Comics

Some of the most enduring art has come forward via the medium of comics and t-shirt ideas. Take the comic book Iron Man issue #128 aka ‘Demon In A Bottle’. Bob Layton’s cover gives a heart-rending synopsis of the whole story in a single picture.

So why can’t a chibi drawing of Deadpool as a laptop cover be the expression of fine art, if not High Art? Or a creative imagining of roly-poly pandas as wontons on a mouse pad cover be even a shade lesser than a framed canvas of an MF Hussain?

We’re pushing the envelope here, but so did all the names mentioned above.

Postergully – The Rebel in Prints, Canvas and Sofa Covers

When Banksy made walls and underpasses into famous art landmarks, why the raised eyebrows at art on a phone cover? Or a t-shirt or a tote-bag, for that matter?

Postergully makes bringing art to daily life its mission. In as creative ways as possible, and in various media – all to provide that extra spark in the daily drudge. Illustrations as High Art can be discussed ad nauseam, but as a way of bringing a little bit of fantasy and dreamland, nothing even comes close.

LSI keywords-

High Art

Chibi drawing

Postergully

Surrealist art

Illustrations as High Art