Top Ten Illustrators

The Illustrators Conference was held on June 24-27 and provided invaluable information for illustrators, as well as an opportunity for invigorating exchange and camaraderie among those attending. We attended workshops and informative presentations; many of the topics I intend to cover in upcoming articles.

One of the final presentations was the top ten most effective illustrators of all time, as compiled from votes by experts and leaders in the current illustration market.

10. Jesse Wilcox Smith

Jesse Wilcox Smith is famous for her children's book illustrations, particularly her tender depictions of mothers and their children.

9. Thomas Nast

Thomas Nast was a political cartoonist for Harper's Weekly beginning in the 1860s. Nast was an average draftsman, but excelled at developing original concepts for his cartoons. He popularized the famous symbol of the Democratic donkey, and originated the idea of the Republican elephant. He created the special "Christmas Drawings for the Human Race” to develop our present-day image of Santa Claus. His inspiration was the now famous poem by Clement Moore "A Visit from St. Nicholas,” perhaps better known as "The Night Before Christmas."

8. Howard Pyle

Howard Pyle was a children's book illustrator of rich imagination. The books he illustrated include The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Twilight Land, and The Story of King Arthur and His Knights. His energy and expressiveness have been compared to that of Albrecht Dürer.

7. Joseph Christian Leyendecker

J.C. Leyendecker was a master of commercial art who earned top commissions for creating covers and advertising illustrations for leading publications. He's probably best known for making Arrow collars famous.

6. Charles Dana Gibson

C. D. Gibson was an American illustrator who created pen and ink drawings of the famous "Gibson Girl." She was intended to picture the typical society woman and to be the image of ideal American femininity. In this way, he intended to capture timeless and enduring aspects of humanity found in any time period.

5. N.C. Wyeth

N.C. Wyeth was a noted children’s book illustrator who even as a child was interested in romantic literature and art. He illustrated such childhood favorite novels as Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Robinson Crusoe, and The Last of the Mohicans.

4. Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell, the quintessential American illustrator, never called himself an artist but instead referred to himself as an illustrator. In Rockwell’s own words, his work "shows the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed." I must admit I was surprised Rockwell received so many favorable reviews; I had thought his work was considered by many to be passé. Nothing could be further from the truth. It became obvious to me that he captured a time and spirit vital to the U.S., touching and endearing yet truthful and never saccharine. I especially loved the comment made at the presentation: "Rockwell could paint a Jackson Pollock, but could Pollock . . . ?"

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic