The role of technology in illustration has been undeniably positive. It allows an artist to experiment to achieve new and exciting results in more ways than they could without technology. However, growth has seen the decline in traditional practises created by hand which are transferred directly from illustrator to paper.

Technology makes it easier for more people to become illustrators as there is less reliance on being good at drawing. In an Independent article Simon

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Prosser says “there aren’t that many great illustrators. It’s rare you can come across someone who can draw” (1) (Prosser, 2012). At the time of Dickens most of his books were hand illustrated but now there are only children’s books which are (2). In her article, Melanie McDonagh implies this can be owed to fewer practitioners being skilled in drawing as they can rely on technology to produce works.

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However, Rodchenko closed his manifesto with “but they have forgotten that all attention should be concentrated on the experimental laboratories” (3) (Rodchenko,2014). I feel that illustration with technology emphasises attention onto experimenting as it allows an illustrator to access more tools which can help give a character personality. When the illustrator Brett Ryder was struggling she “turned to the computer as I thought it could help solve the aesthetic problems I was encountering.”(4) (Ryder, 2006)

This shows how technology can help further progress of illustrations by providing a wider range of tools available to artists.

To conclude I disagree with the quote. I believe in my own work that technology hasn’t hindered my drawing abilities but allowed me to grow and progress further, showing off my skills in new inventive ways.

References:

[3] Aleksandr Rodchenko. (2014). Who We Are: Manifesto of the Constructivist Group. Available: https://issuu.com/rachelgweeks/docs/manifesto_issuu. Last accessed 23/10/2017.

[4] Creative Bloq Staff. (2006). Digital Illustration. Available: http://www.creativebloq.com/computer-arts/digital-illustration-11069638. Last accessed 23/10/2017.

[1] Melanie McDonagh. (2012). Where have all the book illustrators gone?. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/where-have-all-the-book-illustrators-gone-6291792.html. Last accessed 23/10/2017.

[2] Melanie McDonagh. (2012). Where have all the book illustrators gone?. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/where-have-all-the-book-illustrators-gone-6291792.html. Last accessed 23/10/2017.

Images:

(1)-Brett Ryder. (2012). Raining Fish. Available: https://www.itsnicethat.com/system/files/032012/4f57834707313913a10007f4/images_slice_large/15_FTraining.jpg. Last accessed 23/10/2017.

(2)-Phiz. (1978). A stranger calls to see me. Available: http://www.victorianweb.org/art/illustration/phiz/dc/40.jpg. Last accessed 23/10/2017.