The key point of illustration

An illustration is a displayed visualization form presented as a drawing, painting, photograph or other work of art that is created to elucidate or dictate sensual information (such as a story, poem or newspaper article) by providing a visual representation graphically. This definition shows us that one of the key points of illustration is the deeply understanding. How can an illustrator better understand the meaning of a subject? He need to focus on a few questions like what the text intends to show us, in which aspects can it be extended, what way is the best to express its meaning in visual communication. Then it should come into the practice part. This important part includes many procedures. First, the illustrator should research all the information or data of the text or narrative by observation, collecting, studying and exploring. Observe the main idea of the text, collect the facts it shows, study the significance of every discussion or example, and explore the things that confused you. During this part, an illustrator will have a basic understanding of the text. Then we may summary the text and try to extend it in our own words. This is all the preparation for visual representation and the understanding of the illustrator decides whether the illustration success or not. There are a set of pictures which propagandize the World War I.Support the Red Cross, and free lending activities. They might be used in the newspapers beside the texts that refer to the World War I. The illustrators must research all the information about the war and make a great deal of visual practice, and then extend the theme to several aspects such as family, soldiers, hospitals and so on. 

Inspiration plays an important part in visual creation. It’s a sudden creativity in the process of observation, collecting, studying and exploring. That is the preparation that mentioned above. Inspiration derives from our daily life, every place we go, everything that we see, feel and everybody we have talked to. It’s all around us. We should have a pair of eyes that good at finding and rich imagination is necessary, too. Write down the inspiration immediately when you think of something. The origin of inspiration influences the style of the creation. A modest, pure and touching painting often derives from the sincere emotions and bright wishes of the illustrator who lives a modest, happy life. As the following picture shows, the illustrator’s inspiration comes from the swimming pool which is full of water. It’s creative indeed and will better convey the theme.Excellent inspiration is the essence of making a excellent illustration. 

In conclusion, illustration is the process of understanding, summary, extending and transforming. Inspiration is the precondition of creation.

Reference:
1. Ivan Viola and Meister E. Gröller (2005). "Smart Visibility in Visualization". In: Computational Aesthetics in Graphics, Visualization and Imaging. L. Neumann et al. (Ed.)

2. Brogan, T.V.F. "Inspiration" in Alex Preminger and T.V.F. Brogan, eds., The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1993. 609-610.