A visual encyclopedia of illustration styles – use as prompt inspiration for Midjourney or Dall•E AI when making illustration images

Album Cover Art is a visual style that refers to the design and artwork printed on the covers of music albums. It became particularly famous during the mid-20th century when vinyl records were the dominant format for music consumption. The style's importance and recognition peaked in the 1960s and 1970s when groundbreaking album cover designs served as crucial visual representations of the music. These covers often featured innovative graphic design, photography, illustration, and typography that perfectly complemented the mood, genre, or themes of the music. From the iconic artwork of The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' to Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon,' album cover art played a significant role in shaping the overall aesthetic and cultural significance of music albums.

Album Cover Art

Album cover design is a visual style that encompasses the artwork and design elements used on music album covers. Popularized in the mid-20th century, album covers became a crucial part of music marketing, utilizing bold graphics, typography, and imagery to capture the essence of the music within.

Album Cover Design

Anne Julien is known for her vibrant and whimsical illustrations, often featuring intricate patterns, bold colors, and playful characters. Her work became famous in the early 2000s for its unique style that combines traditional and digital techniques.

Anne Julien

Arthur Rackham was a renowned illustrator known for his intricate and detailed pen and ink drawings, primarily featured in fairy tales and fantasy books during the late 19th and early 20th century. His use of delicate lines, intricate details, and dark, dreamlike imagery set him apart in the world of illustration.

Arther Rackham

Aubrey Powell is a British graphic designer and one of the co-founders of the design company Hipgnosis. He is best known for his revolutionary album cover designs in the 1960s and 1970s, which helped define the visual identity of rock and roll. Powell's style was characterized by surreal and imaginative concepts, combining photography, illustration, and graphic design to create visually stunning and iconic album covers. Some of his most famous works include covers for Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon' and Led Zeppelin's 'Houses of the Holy'. Powell's innovative approach to album cover design revolutionized the industry and made him a pioneer in the field.

Aubrey Powell

Barry Blitt is a contemporary American illustrator and cartoonist known for his distinctive and satirical style. His career in the field of visual arts began in the 1990s, and he gained prominence through his work for The New Yorker magazine. Blitt became especially famous for his provocative and often controversial cover illustrations, which cleverly comment on various political and cultural issues of the time. His illustrations are characterized by their bold and expressive linework, exaggerated figures, and a touch of whimsy. Blitt's visual style combines humor, wit, and social commentary, making his work instantly recognizable and highly influential in the world of illustration.

Barry Blitt

Brother Aidan Clohessy was a renowned Irish illustrator and calligrapher known for his intricate Celtic designs and illuminated manuscripts, inspired by the Book of Kells. His work gained popularity in the early 20th century for its meticulous attention to detail and vibrant use of color.

Brother Aidan Clohessy

Charles Robinson was an English illustrator who was active during the late 19th century and early 20th century. His style is characterized by intricate and detailed illustrations featuring fantastical and whimsical elements, often with a dark undertone. Robinson's illustrations became famous for their use of bold colors, intricate line work, and elaborate compositions. His work was particularly popular during the Arts and Crafts movement and the golden age of illustration.

Charles Robinson

Childrens Literature Illustration is a whimsical and colorful visual style commonly associated with children's books and literature. Popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this style features charming characters, vibrant colors, and detailed backgrounds that capture the imagination of young readers.

Childrens Literature Illustration

Christopher Schiefer's visual style is characterized by bold, colorful illustrations with a whimsical and playful touch. His work gained popularity in the early 2000s for its unique blend of graphic design and artistry.

Christopher Schiefer

Concept Art is a style of illustration that is used to convey an initial visual representation of ideas, designs, and concepts for various forms of media such as films, video games, and animations. It gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of science fiction and fantasy genres. Concept Art became famous for its ability to create imaginative and fantastical worlds, creatures, and characters. Artists in this style use a combination of traditional and digital techniques to create detailed and visually stunning artwork that sets the tone and direction for the final visual production.

Concept art

Darwyn Cooke's visual style is characterized by its retro yet modern aesthetic, influenced by mid-20th century design and illustration. Known for his work in comics during the early 2000s, Cooke gained fame for his bold, simplified linework and vibrant colors.

Darwyn Cooke

Digital Illustration is a style of creating artwork using digital tools and software. It gained popularity in the late 20th century with the advancement of computer technology and graphic design software. This style allowed artists to create illustrations with precise lines, vibrant colors, and intricate details. Digital Illustration is famous for its versatility and ability to blend traditional art techniques with digital elements. It has revolutionized the field of illustration by providing artists with new creative possibilities and faster production time.

Digital Illustration

Doug Chiang is a visual artist known for his futuristic and imaginative style. His work spans a variety of mediums including concept design, illustration, and art direction. Chiang gained recognition in the late 1990s when he worked as the design director for Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, where he created iconic designs like the podracers and the Naboo Starfighter. His intricate and innovative designs have continued to shape the visual style of numerous films, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) and The Force Awakens (2015). Chiang's combination of technical skill and imaginative vision has made him one of the most influential visual artists in the entertainment industry.

Doug Chiang

Edward Dulac was a French-born, British naturalized illustrator known for his intricate and ornate style, popular in the early to mid 20th century. His work is characterized by dreamy, romantic, and fantastical imagery.

Edward Dulac

The visual style of Franquin Andre is characterized by detailed and expressive cartoon illustrations, known for his work on the Spirou et Fantasio comic series in the 1950s-60s. His use of dynamic lines, vivid colors, and whimsical characters made his art famous in the world of Franco-Belgian comics.

Franquin Andre

George Saunders is a style of illustration characterized by whimsical and quirky characters, vibrant colors, and playful compositions. A popular style in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, it gained fame for its ability to evoke a sense of joy and wonder.

George Saunders

Graphic Novel Art is a style that combines the visual elements of comics and traditional illustrations. It gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of graphic novels as a respected art form. This style is characterized by bold lines, strong contrasts, and detailed backgrounds.

Graphic Novel Art

Harry Clarke was an Irish stained-glass artist and illustrator, prominent in the early 20th century. His style was characterized by intricate and highly detailed designs, vibrant colors, and a combination of decorative elements and Symbolist influences. Clarke's work became famous for its dark and mysterious themes, often depicting supernatural and otherworldly subjects. His illustrations for books and his stained-glass windows gained him recognition and acclaim.

Harry Clarke

Haruhiko Mikimoto is known for his distinctive anime character designs with a focus on beautiful, detailed illustrations. His work became famous in the 80s and 90s for his iconic designs in series like Macross and Gunbuster.

Haruhiko Mikimoto

Harumi Yamaguchi is a Japanese artist known for her distinctive style of illustration characterized by bold lines, vibrant colors, and exaggerated proportions. Her work gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly through her illustrations for the Japanese magazine, Unijisushi. Yamaguchi's illustrations often portrayed glamorous women in powerful and seductive poses, capturing the essence of the 70s and 80s feminist movements. Her unique style, combining elements of pop art and fashion illustration, made her famous for her ability to capture the spirit of the era with a sense of boldness and sensuality.

Harumi Yamaguchi

Hernandez Brothers is a visual style in comic book illustration that emerged in the 1980s and gained fame through their influential work in the alternative comics scene. Created by the three brothers, Gilbert, Jaime, and Mario, this style is characterized by its distinctive black and white linework, exaggerated figure proportions, and intricate cross-hatching. The Hernandez Brothers are known for their long-running series 'Love and Rockets', which blends elements of science fiction, slice-of-life storytelling, and magical realism. Their groundbreaking work has influenced a generation of comic book artists and has been celebrated for its strong female characters, intricate narratives, and exploration of diverse cultural themes.

Hernandez Brothers

Ian McCaig is a renowned concept artist and illustrator known for his distinctive and imaginative visual style. His work is characterized by its intricate detail, evocative storytelling, and richly textured and dynamic imagery. McCaig gained significant recognition for his work on the Star Wars films, particularly for designing iconic characters such as Darth Maul and Queen Amidala. His style blends elements of fantasy, science fiction, and mythology, creating captivating and memorable visuals. McCaig's contributions to the world of concept art have made him a highly influential figure in the industry.

Ian McCaig

Joost Swarte is a Dutch cartoonist, graphic designer, and typographer known for his clean lines, strong color schemes, and bold use of typography. His work gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s for its unique blend of comic art, illustration, and design.

Joost Swarte

The Joy Cho visual style is characterized by its bright and playful color palettes, whimsical patterns, and modern yet approachable aesthetic. Cho is known for her work in graphic design and illustration, bringing a sense of joy and cheer to all her creations.

Joy Cho

Kate Greenaway was a popular British illustrator and writer in the late 19th century. Her style, known as the 'Kate Greenaway style', became famous for its delicate and nostalgic depiction of children in pastoral settings. Active primarily between 1870 and 1900, Greenaway's illustrations were characterized by their detailed line work, soft colors, and emphasis on children's fashion from the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Her illustrations often featured young girls in bonnets, pinafores, and sometimes boys in sailor suits, and became highly influential in the world of children's literature and fashion at the time.

Kate Greenaway

Kaws is a contemporary visual style that emerged in the early 2000s. It gained fame through the unique combination of pop culture references, bold colors, and the use of iconic characters. Kaws, also known as Brian Donnelly, rose to prominence as a street artist in the 1990s while working as a designer for streetwear brand Nigo's A Bathing Ape. His distinct style became recognized for its recognizable characters, such as his reimagined versions of iconic cartoons like Mickey Mouse and The Simpsons. Kaws's style is often characterized by clean lines, exaggerated features, and a sense of urban playfulness. His work seamlessly blends elements of street art, illustration, and sculpture.

Kaws

Larry Elmore is a renowned fantasy artist known for his detailed and vibrant illustrations in the fantasy genre. His work gained popularity in the 1980s through his iconic artwork for Dungeons & Dragons, Dragonlance, and other fantasy publications.

Larry Elmore

Manga Art is a style of Japanese comic book and graphic novel illustration that originated in the early 20th century. It gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s with the works of influential artists like Osamu Tezuka and Shotaro Ishinomori. Manga Art is characterized by its distinctive exaggerated features, emotive expressions, and dynamic action sequences. It is known for its expressive characters and intricate storylines, which often blend elements of fantasy, science fiction, and everyday life.

Manga Art

Mary Kate McDevitt's style is characterized by hand-lettering and illustration done in a colorful and playful manner. She is known for her intricate details and whimsical designs that often incorporate retro and vintage elements. Her work gained popularity in the 2010s through her vibrant and cheerful illustrations that stand out for their unique and charming aesthetic.

Mary Kate McDevitt

Mort Drucker's visual style can be described as detailed caricature illustrations with exaggerated features and distinctive expressions. His style became widely popular during the 1960s and 1970s through his work for Mad magazine. Drucker's ability to capture the likeness of celebrities and political figures in a humorous and satirical way made his illustrations iconic.

Mort Drucker

Natalie Thompson is a contemporary visual style that emerged in the late 2000s. Known for its vibrant colors, bold compositions, and whimsical elements, it has gained popularity for its energetic and cheerful aesthetic. Natalie Thompson is famous for her use of mixed media techniques, combining illustration, collage, and digital manipulation. Her work often features dreamlike scenes and characters, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy. This style became particularly influential in the early 2010s, with Thompson's unique approach to storytelling and visual language captivating audiences worldwide.

Natalie Thompson

Oliver Frey is a visual artist known for his distinct style in the field of comic art and illustration. His style emerged in the 1980s and became famous for its dynamic and action-packed scenes, intricate details, and strong muscular figures. Frey's work often featured sci-fi, fantasy, and adventure themes, attracting a wide audience of comic readers and enthusiasts.

Oliver Frey

Paula Scher is an American graphic designer known for her bold and innovative approach to typography. Her visual style emerged in the 1980s and gained popularity in the following decades. Scher became famous for her use of expressive and distressed letterforms, combining typography with illustration and symbolism. Her designs often incorporate vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and playful compositions. Paula Scher's work is characterized by its exuberant energy and the ability to communicate complex ideas in a visually engaging manner.

Paula Scher

Rene Goscinny is a French comic book creator and writer who became famous for his collaboration with illustrator Albert Uderzo on the famous Asterix series. Goscinny's visual style is characterized by detailed and lively illustrations, vibrant colors, and exaggerated expressions. His style gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, and he is renowned for his humor, wit, and ability to create captivating storylines. Goscinny's work revolutionized the comic book industry and set new standards for storytelling in the medium.

Rene Goscinny

Roman Halter's visual style is characterized by intricately detailed illustrations created during his time as a Holocaust survivor in the Lodz Ghetto. His work reflects the horrors of World War II through a personal lens, capturing the resilience of the human spirit.

Roman Halter

Sagmeister Walsh is a widely recognized visual style in the graphic design industry. It was founded by Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh in 2012. This style is characterized by its bold and experimental approach, combining typography, photography, and illustration in unique and visually striking ways. It gained fame for its innovative use of design elements and its ability to create thought-provoking and visually engaging experiences. The style gained significant recognition during the early 2000s for its groundbreaking work in album cover design, particularly for bands like The Rolling Stones and Lou Reed.

Sagmeister Walsh

Sarah Illenberger is known for her visually striking, conceptual, and playful approach to design. Her work combines photography, illustration, and sculpture to create unique and imaginative visuals.

Sarah Illenberger

Takamasa Kuniyasu is a contemporary visual artist known for his vibrant and dynamic digital illustrations. His work often features intricate patterns, bold colors, and a mix of traditional and modern elements. His style became famous in the early 2000s for its unique combination of Japanese and pop culture influences.

Takamasa Kuniyasu

The New Yorker Magazine is known for its distinctive and iconic visual style that has been consistently maintained since its inception in 1925. The magazine is famous for its sophisticated and witty approach to illustration and design, which helped establish it as a cultural touchstone. The illustrations and covers often feature a blend of humor, satire, and social commentary. The style encompasses a wide range of techniques and mediums, including pen and ink drawings, watercolors, and digital illustrations. The New Yorker has become synonymous with a certain level of quality, intellectualism, and wit in visual journalism and storytelling.

The New Yorker Magazine

Victorian Era Illustrators is a visual style that emerged during the Victorian era (1837-1901) in England. This style of illustration was known for its highly detailed and intricate artwork, often featuring romanticized depictions of everyday life, historical events, and literature. The Victorian era saw a resurgence in the popularity of illustrated books and magazines, and many talented illustrators gained fame during this time. The use of crosshatching, fine lines, and elaborate patterns became characteristic of this style, as well as the incorporation of symbolism and allegory into the artworks.

Victorian Era Illustrators

Vienna Secession was an art movement that emerged in Vienna in 1897 and lasted until 1905. It was founded by a group of artists who rebelled against the traditional academic art of the time. The movement was famous for its emphasis on individual expression, decorative style, and the integration of different artistic disciplines. Vienna Secession is characterized by its use of geometric shapes, organic forms, and intricate ornamentation. It is known for its innovative graphic design, which utilized typography and illustration in a bold and decorative manner. The movement aimed to break free from the confines of academic art and embrace a more modern and individualistic approach.

Vienna Secession

Vincent Di Fate is a renowned science fiction and fantasy illustrator whose visual style emerged in the 1970s. His art is characterized by meticulously detailed and realistic spacecraft, alien landscapes, and futuristic cityscapes. Di Fate's work became famous for its ability to transport viewers to imaginative realms, combining technical precision with a sense of wonder and awe.

Vincent Di Fate

Willy Pogany was a Hungarian-American artist and illustrator known for his distinctive Art Nouveau and Art Deco style. Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Pogany's work became famous for its intricate detail, graceful lines, and vibrant colors. His illustrations often featured fantastical and mythological themes, capturing the imagination of viewers. Pogany gained recognition for his illustrations in books such as 'The Rime of the Ancient Mariner' and 'The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'. His style became influential and popular during the height of the Art Nouveau movement in the late 19th century and continued to be praised during the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s.

Willy Pogany

Yusuke Nakano is a Japanese video game artist known for his distinctive style characterized by whimsical and detailed hand-drawn illustrations. He rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s through his work as the lead character designer for the popular Nintendo video game series 'The Legend of Zelda'. Nakano's art is often praised for its vibrant colors, intricate details, and ability to capture the essence of fantastical worlds. His style became an iconic part of the Zelda series, contributing to its immense popularity and cult following.

Illustration styles on Stylopedia