Illustration: A Theoretical and Contextual Perspective: A Theoretical & Contextual Perspective (Required Reading Range)

There are a wealth of examples of illustrative styles and techniques in this book, and I’m sure a great deal of very interesting and useful information in this book, but I don’t pick it up often, and when I do it’s just to flick through, because the narrow blocks of text are in such a small, closely kerned font, that it does not read well. Shame.

What a fascinating read! This book places emphasis on illustration’s global community; highlighting one’s need to be socially and culturally aware by combining one’s practical skills with this awareness. The internet and thus, larger audiences means the illustrator has an increased opportunity for their work to be seen and valued. The author combines this discussion with a great array of images; the diversity of examples (from cough syrup bottles to Percival’s medical illustrations) and the focus of the discussion complement one another. The author discusses how to answer a brief drawing from his own experience, which feels authentic and is of great use. The text flows and entices while maintaining structure and logic in its content. This means the reader never feels over-crowded with information. The tasks and projects at the end of the book are really useful, and it is handy that they are at the back of the book because you can flick to them throughout reading, at the end, or entirely separately from reading the text. Over all, a thought provoking read which includes practical information useful to academic study.

Love the book, very pretty and useful!!!

Interesting content related to working on a professional level in the field of commercial illustration. The author is a renowned illustrator and artist and shows many various examples of current and past illustrators. And at times, although it can be somewhat dry reading, Alan Male does a fine job of breaking down many aspects of what it takes to illustrate professionally.