Question about drawing vs illustration

[RenaisyDaisyDesigns]

So this question is not technically etsy related ...yet, but I want to get into drawing images that would probably be in the illustration arena, so I was wondering if anyone knows the difference between taking a drawing class and taking an illustration class, as I have to sign up for the fall at my college and don't know which one to take.

[Former_Member]

Drawing to me is pencil illustration would be more computer generated.

Edited:
Pencil or other mediums

[RenaisyDaisyDesigns]

Sounds like drawing it is then, thanks

[Former_Member]

You have fun with that! I love to draw. What do you draw?

[RenaisyDaisyDesigns]

I don't but I have many ideas of what I want to draw, and just realized recently why not learn to draw, I'm back in college I might as well try my hand at drawing. I think it would be a lot of fun to illustrate childrens books one day too

[Former_Member]

I imagine you'd have to take drawing courses as pre-reqs to any illustration course.

Drawing 1 is most likely charcoal based, learning about shape, light, lines, and perspective.

Drawing 2 is most likely figure drawing, still mostly charcoal based

...or at least that's how it was at my college.

Illustration, I believe, would be more creative than drawing (the course, not the action). Inserting your own characters and design (in various media), where drawing is simply getting the foundations on how to use tools such as media, light, and shadow.

Then again, I was a sculpture major so I know very little about the 2D world haha

[RenaisyDaisyDesigns]

@ Frenchie, illustration sounds like so much fun, I already have my characters and design, in my imagination, can't wait to get it out on paper

[Former_Member]

Yeah, I also would like to take some illustration courses. Maybe when my son's in school I'll do some online stuff.

I like digital painting~ I'm CRAP with traditional media. Like I said, sculptor lol

If it does turn out that you have to take drawing before illustration, there are SO SO SO many good tutorials online for character development, clothing, hair, skin, textures, just about anything you could think of that you would need.

[Former_Member]

I like hands on, pencil charcoal, pastel, watercolors, etc. I've done some digital but really like that blank piece of paper. Here is some of work from a while ago:
http://www.canby.com/webhorses/art/

[RenaisyDaisyDesigns]

Wow Dawn those are your drawings? there beautiful

[Former_Member]

Woooo go Dawn! I can't draw animals for beans.

[Former_Member]

I'm actually in Illustration, getting my BAA in it. I think wikipedia has a good definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illustration

So no, drawing is not pencil and illustration computers. Illustration can be a drawing, a painting, an etching, whatever but it's more about the information the image can convey. You can't compare drawing vs illustration really, since drawing is a part of illustration. I have to take a lot of drawing courses in illustration, since for any art you need a strong foundation. Any good illustration course will stress drawing, painting, traditional media in the beginning over digital since it gives you a much stronger foundation. It's more illustration vs fine art that's comparable than drawing vs illustration.


So.... if you want to take illustration, take both. You need a strong drawing foundation to do illustrations.

[jill2day]

Sarah has said it very well. I taught in the field, and always explained the difference like this; Drawing is the activity and the skill... whatever the medium. Illustration is the application of that skill to an end result.

It is generally assumed you can draw when you take an illustration class. Illustration courses are more focused on the concept and communication of the visual image - not the technique.

[Former_Member]

jill from jill2day says

Sarah has said it very well. I taught in the field, and always explained the difference like this; Drawing is the activity and the skill... whatever the medium. Illustration is the application of that skill to an end result.

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Jill, I love how you worded that!

[RenaisyDaisyDesigns]

Great! thank you Jill and Sarah, that helps a lot