Illustration (Lat. illustrare, to illuminate, to explain) is an image that makes a (con-)text more vivid and understandable. Ultimately, it enhances expressiveness. Images capture attention and hold it. In the digitalized world, images are beloved, whether on social media platforms, blogs, news websites, or in advertising. Analog or digital, illustrations find use nearly everywhere.
Illustration is the medium to swiftly tell stories with images. They visualize, explain, interpret, or complement. Illustrations make abstract connections visible and comprehensible, convey messages, or serve purely as visual entertainment. They are timeless, diverse, multilingual, and truly international. Simultaneously, they are individual and unique because every successful illustrator has their own distinctive style. Illustration is something special. It conveys appreciation.
In more traditional (analog) illustration, classic tools like pencils, colored pencils, ink, crayons, watercolors, gouache, or acrylic paints are used to create drawn or painted illustrations. This approach allows artists to work directly on physical media, creating a sensory experience. The feeling of pencil on paper, mixing colors with brushes, the texture of the surface, the scent of paint all establish a special connection between the artwork and its creator. Analog illustration often requires more time and planning since mistakes are harder to correct. Nevertheless, it allows for spontaneous experimentation and the development of a certain level of craftsmanship, a skilled hand that is reflected in the final works.
Digital illustration replaces analog tools with programmed brushes that initially paint more evenly and with full color coverage. However, digital tools offer a wide range of brushes and effects, providing high versatility and efficiency in illustration. The ability to use layers makes it easier to create complex scenes and edit different aspects of the artwork separately. Digital allows for greater flexibility in color selection, line thickness, transparencies, layout, etc., and is particularly advantageous in the post-processing of illustrations.
While digital drawing can be quite planned, analog illustration can sometimes bring surprises in the creative process. Moreover, there are countless hybrid forms of analog and digital illustration, including collages, print techniques, and more. There are no limits in terms of design and techniques. I only know one rule, which states that the story or what you want to depict demands its style, not the other way around. So, it’s about choosing the right stylistic approach for the story or message you want to convey. The choice between analog, digital, or mixed media ultimately depends on the artistic vision, available resources, and the desired aesthetic effect.
The applications of illustrations are extensive. Since 1998 studio animanova primarily figurative illustrations for children’s and adult books, editorials, as well as illustrated content for various businesses and the wide world of the internet. In addition to book illustrations, I also work in the realm of informative illustration, creating scenario graphics, infographics, and scientific illustrations. For corporate communication, I design important strategy and target pictures or translate short stories into comics. My goal is to support and enhance written text by conveying what words alone cannot express. On the following pages, I provide a glimpse into my work and services.
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