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Home > Genres

Genres

This section explores the many artistic genres or types of illustration that have been the focus of artists working in the field, from historical to contemporary.

“The Lineman” [detail]

Advertising: Corporate

Illustration that depicts a company in a positive light.

I Want YOU for the U.S. Army

Advertising: Political/Public Service

Images designed to promote a candidate or social issue rather than goods or services.

Men Reading

Advertising: Product

Graphic images that persuade the consumer to purchase a product.

Triple Self-Portrait

Advertising: Self-Promotion

The art of personifying one's work in an attention-getting image.

New York World’s Fair Travel Poster

Advertising/Promotion

Illustrations being used to catch a viewer's attention and convey a very effective message.

Cover of “Acme Novelty Library #7 (Book of Jokes)” [detail]

Book: Cover Art

Cover illustration for books.

Page from “Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth”

Cartooning

Cartooning reveals an intended message or irony in very few brush strokes.

Hanna, Barbera, and Friends

Cartooning: Advertising

Cartoon characters used to promote products or as trademarks.

The Bushanos

Cartooning: Caricature

Exaggerating a person's physical characteristics for a comic or grotesque effect.

Join, or Die

Cartooning: Political

An illustration making commentary on current events or a personality using satire

Mickey Mantle

Cartooning: Sports

Depicting sports figures and events through cariatures.

The End is Near

Cartooning: Spot

A simple drawing designed to provoke laughter from its reader.

Lucy and Charlie Brown

Comics

Throughout history humankind has used narrative images in storytelling.

Batman and Robin

Comics: Comic Books

Periodicals which typically contain illustrated stories of superheroes or humorous characters.

“Peanuts” strip from November 19, 1961

Comics: Comic Strips

Sequential illustrations confined to boxes featuring characters interacting via thought or speech balloons.

Mars Attacks card #32

Fantasy: Science-Fiction

Science-Fiction illustration has been popular from the mid-1800s through today.

Absolute Kingdom Come

Graphic Novels

Graphic novels tell a complete story through a combination of illustration art and text.

Page from “Mom’s Cancer”

Graphic Novels: Visual Memoir/Autobiography

Memoir graphic novels are typically written and illustrated by the person telling the story.

Two Women, Two Devils, and Skull Flash Art

Lifestyle: Tattoos

Body art which has been applied from prehistoric time to present day.

“Peter Pan” concept art

Moving Image: Concept Art

Illustrations created for developing characters and scenes within a live-action or animated story.

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Art Works. National Endowment for the Arts. arts.gov

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"The great band of illustrators have shown us to ourselves and I am proud to be among their company."
- Norman Rockwell

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