The 11 Best Illustration Styles To Explore

You see art around you all the time. But did you know that illustration is a type of art with a two-fold purpose? First and foremost, an illustration tells a story, represents an idea, relays a message, and delivers information. Second, it shows something interesting and engaging. From vintage to modern 3D illustrations, every style has its own vibe and influence. Whether you are a business owner needing illustrations or an aspiring illustrator, these 11 illustration styles will help you get started.

1. Vintage and Retro

Source: Malika Favre

The styles from the early 1900s to the 90s inspire vintage and retro illustration styles. Malika Favre is a world-renowned artist who uses retro-style illustrations. She describes her works as “Pop Art meets OpArt.” Her designs have the unique appeal of the 60s that meet contemporary minimalism, creating excellent retro-inspired graphics. 

If you want to build a portfolio of clients, looking into vintage and retro illustration styles can be a good motivation.

2. Realism

Source: Tate

Realism is a mid-nineteenth-century art movement with subjects from everyday life painted in a naturalistic manner. The term also refers to artworks painted in an almost photographic way. Realism has become a popular style in modern digital arts. The style ranges from stylized subjects representing reality to hyperrealism and photorealism.

Realism illustrates the human form as closely as possible. Artists aim to capture reality through immense detail and a clear portrayal of emotion. The accuracy in the overall artistic composition completes the realism illustration style. Sir Stanley Spencer’s self-portrait exemplifies the modern realism illustration style.

3. Fantasy Illustration 

An illustration by a Penji graphic designer – check us out!

Let’s move to an enchanting and magical illustration style. Fantasy illustration is inspired by stories depicting supernatural characters and scenes. Most fantasy illustrations are dark and action-packed, depicting a mythical creature. The detailed design shows the outstanding skills of imaginative illustrators. In addition, the depth of detail matches moody atmospheres and immerses the viewer in another world. 

4. Comic Book Illustration

Source: markbrooksart IG

Many artists draw inspiration from traditional comic books to improve illustration style, story, and character creation. The layout structure of humorous stories helps illustrators imagine every part of the story. That said, creative thinking becomes a good challenge for every artist. The image above, for example, illustrates the famous graphic novel “The Sandman,” by Neil Gaiman.

Do you dream of becoming a talented comic illustrator and working for brands like Marvel or DC Comics? In that case, you must learn how to express ideas, stories, situations, and characters very clearly. Comic illustration can be a lucrative career that pays between $36,409 and $52,803.

5. Fashion Illustration Style

Source: Nadia Coolrista IG

Fashion illustrations originated from the need for quick sketches of the artists, highlighting how clothes will look on models. This kind of illustration is created with rough lines and aesthetics. 

Fashion design illustrations strongly influence attitude, culture, and couture. While fashion designers commonly use it, this illustration type has inspired artists to bring the aesthetic into their designs.

6. Line Art 

Source: Rupi Kaur IG

Rupi Kaur is known on Instagram for her poetry. She illustrates her poems with simple yet meaningful line drawings. Simplicity is a compelling element in creating beauty through this illustration style. Today, line art has become increasingly popular on social media sites like Pinterest and Instagram.

Line art is a good form of communicating ideas in a gentle atmosphere. While most line art is black and white, some artists love a pop of color. 

7. Children’s Book Illustration 

Here’s an inspiring digital illustration by Vashti Harrison for a children’s book entitled “Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o. This fantastic collaborative project between two feminist artists resulted in an exciting topic of representation.

Every children’s book illustrator has a unique style, broadening this category that can’t be simplified into one exact type. Some of its key features are rendered in vibrant color, defined movement, and emotion.

This illustration style relies on a definite theme to tell a story. Vivid patterns and colors are also present to keep children engaged in the story.

8. Caricature

A caricature done by a Penji graphic designer – check us out!

You might know some artists who create caricature-style art of ordinary people in the street or during festivals and fairs. A caricature is a cartoon wherein a character’s specific features are exaggerated to convey what the illustration communicates. Some political illustrators use caricature drawings to make fun of or criticize leaders and scenarios. This form of painting is usually defined by humor.

9. Psychedelic Illustration

While this could be categorized as retro due to its 60s and 70s aesthetic and vibe, psychedelic illustration deserves a unique identity. It features exceptionally vibrant colors, a combination of varied patterns, and surreal sensibility. 

Chris Dyer is a skilled illustrator and street artist who utilizes psychedelic style in his drawings. Check out how colorful he communicates his message through the sample illustration above. 

10. Flat Illustration Style

Source: janiolka_k IG

This popular type of illustration consists of flat, 2D visual details in contrast to detailed 3D graphics. Instead, illustrators employing this style use interesting ideas and movement to give the images more life. The flat illustration trend became famous in 2020 and is here to stay. Brands rave about flat illustrations in their visual communication for apps, websites, editorial images, and beyond.

11. 3D Illustration 

3D illustration created by a Penji graphic designer – check us out!

The 3D illustration uses depth to make the contents of the image look three-dimensional. 3D is becoming increasingly popular in product development, home design, and virtual reality (VR). It is an excellent way to understand exactly how something might look and can bring an ordinary illustration to life. The sample graphics above is one of the many beautiful 3D illustrations created by Penji. 

How to Select the Best Illustration Styles

The best thing about digital art is that it allows you to try every style in various formats. If you’re a budding illustrator, here are a few tips to find the best illustration styles for your project: 

1. Know your identity as an artist

The more you’re in tune with your unique artistic qualities, the easier it will be to adopt an individual style. Your style must be something you enjoy doing. Use the illustration styles in this as your inspiration and research more to find the style that suits your personality. 

2. Find your expertise  

Finding what you are good at might be challenging. The key here is to focus on developing your natural talents instead of chasing trends. Be honest about your strengths, and dedicate yourself to mastering them. That’s how true brilliance is achieved. 

3. Experiment with different illustration styles 

Finding your illustration style entails experimenting with various styles to discover what you’re good at. Don’t be afraid to try styles that seem outside your comfort zone. 

4. Be inspired by others

Find and note the works of your favorite artists to get inspiration. It would be best to build connections with fellow artists and share your creative experiences with each other. While learning from others is valuable, stay true to your unique style and improve your craft. 

5. Get feedback

Share your illustrations on social media and gather feedback from your other artists, friends, and colleagues. You can also create a portfolio website or share your work with local art groups. Remember to take feedback with an open mind, but ultimately, trust your own artistic instincts.

Get unlimited illustration styles on demand

Graphic design illustrations can be a powerful tool to help bring your ideas to life. With the right artist, you can create stunning visuals that capture the attention of your target audience. If you’re looking for illustration websites to help you bring your ideas to life, try Penji. Our company works with several businesses and individuals seeking unlimited graphic design services. 

Watch this demo video to learn how to get stunning visuals.