As an illustrator, my work often goes beyond what most people traditionally think of as illustration. Many assume that illustration is simply drawing, but there's much more to it. While illustration can indeed be just a drawing, it can also be a painting, an edited image, or a combination of different techniques.
To clarify:
- Drawing: Yes, an illustration can be a drawing, and it will still be called an illustration.
- Painting: An illustration can also be a painting without any drawing involved.
- Edited Image: It can be an image built traditionally using textures or scraps and still be considered an illustration.
- Digitally Edited Image: An illustration can be created digitally, using various layers and techniques. For instance, one layer might feature a tree drawn by hand, another layer could include a mountain painted traditionally, and yet another layer could involve digital painting or drawing in Photoshop. Concept art images often mix drawing, painting, and digital editing, incorporating photo textures and various elements created by the illustrator.
A concept art painting/sketch/illustration can even start as a 3D rendering built out of a virtual sculpture model, which the illustrator then paints on top, edits bits and pieces, etc.
For example, I have a small bird character I created 20 years ago in watercolor. Sometimes I use this character in my fantasy and toon scenery and landscapes, as it´s like my personal signature "stamp". It's part of a collection of items I use to edit and generate new illustrations. Using personal individual layer-items to create new images doesn't make an illustration any less unique. It´s the final image that needs to be unique, not the building blocks in the case of an illustration created by layer editing techniques for example, as it´s a common technique used often in concept art and illustration.
In children’s books, we often use traditional drawing and painting techniques, even if they are digitally based. The final color grading can be achieved using photo textures to set the mood. Sometimes, children’s books are created using concept art techniques, blending digital editing with various independent methods.
In short, while people might envision an illustration as a traditional painting or drawing, modern illustrators like myself often use a blend of multiple techniques. What truly matters in the end is the final image.
If a client specifically requests illustrations to be drawings or paintings, I adhere strictly to those techniques. However, in other cases, I prefer to use a mix of techniques in my artwork. This approach leverages the flexibility and advantages of digital tools, such as multiple layers, layer styles, color styles, color correction, and the ability to move and edit elements easily. By combining traditional and digital methods, I can create more dynamic and versatile illustrations.
About "Hand-drawn"
It's common to see discussions in forums where people express a preference for "hand-drawn" images over those created on a computer. However, it's important to understand that when an illustrator uses a pen on a drawing monitor connected to a computer and painting software, they are doing as much hand drawing as if they were working traditionally on paper or canvas.
The only difference with digital hand drawing is the added flexibility: working in different layers allows each item in the drawing or painting to be moved around, so there's no need to start from scratch when experimenting with different visual options. Digital tools also enable color correction and other enhancements. These are simply digital techniques that enhance the creative process without changing the fundamental nature of hand drawing.
But, when computers can generate AI imagery, this is a completely different matter. AI-generated images are easily recognizable and often look similar, which might lead to market resistance. This has nothing to do with hand drawing but sometimes indie-authors who don´t fully understand the digital world, tend to think digital-art is the same as AI art, when it´s not.
When it comes to digital paintings created by a human artist using a digital pen, digital watercolors, digital pencils, or digital oils, these images are as hand-drawn as any traditional artwork. The digital medium does not diminish the skill and artistry involved; a digital painting by a human artist is as authentically hand-drawn as a Picasso painting.