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5 Illustration Voices Examine the Concept of Style

In the short time that I’ve been involved with Escape From Illustration Island, I’ve noticed that certain topics seem to come and go in waves, at least in the online Illustration community.  For example, it seems that within a short span of time, different bloggers, podcasters, and other content creators will all be talking about similar subjects around the same time.  My favorite part about this is that each of us offers our own voice, our own angle, on a given topic.

Today I thought I’d highlight the latest subject that I’ve been noticing being discussed, which is STYLE.

Here’s a look at the ways that 5 different online content creators in the Illustration community have been exploring the concept of style in the recent past:

Nate Williams – In a recent blog post, Illustrator Nate Williams asked the question: “Does a professional Illustrator need a style?“ Rather than stop there, he goes on to paint an incredibly thorough picture of what style is, how different illustrators approach it, and what it means for the working artist.  What makes Nate’s post so rewarding to read is how clearly he presents the concept of style with case studies, an outline of the basic creative process, and a look at some of the related opinion polls he has conducted at Illustration Mundo in the past.

Big Illustration Party Time - Friends of EFII and fellow Podcasters Kevin Cross and Joshua Kemble of the Big Illustration Party Time Podcast recently tackled the elusive topic of style on Episode 40 of their show, which focuses on freelance Illustration and cartooning.  Their discussion was in reaction to a listener question regarding the benefits and risks of working in a distinct style, as well as tips for Illustrators who wish to work in a variety of styles.

Jonathan Woodward – In another rich and rewarding exploration of style, Jonathan Woodward treated readers of his blog, Zero 2 Illo, with an investigation into the question, “Does an Illustrator Choose Their Style, or Does it Choose Them?” As proof of the fact that every artist has a unique perception