Illustration Blogs and Resources

The internet is an incredibly useful resource for illustrators and anybody who is keen to learn more about illustration.

Along with websites which exist to showcase illustrators work, there are sites which are regularly updated with tips, tutorials, news and interviews relating to the field of illustration.

Here's a pick of blogs and online resources for anyone who is interested in illustration.

The Drawn Blog is a group blog updated by several illustrators. Good for info and artwork, the blog has posts on a range of topics, including illustration, comics, animation and design.

Today's Inspiration provides a little nostalgia. The site features illustrations from the 1940s and 1950s, giving readers a glimpse into the past. Each of the images with thoughtful posts and biographical information about the illustrators.

Ape on the Moon is a site which claims to document 'all that is new and exciting about contemporary visual art projects'. As well as a blog with illustrations in a variety of styles, there are tutorials for folks looking to sharpen their skills.

Illustration Friday sets a weekly illustration challenge. Every Friday a new topic is posted and illustrators have one week to come up with their own interpretation. The project is great for motivating artists. Even if you don't want to submit a piece yourself, seeing how different artists interpret a theme is really interesting.

Illustration Age provides a showcase of new work by illustrators. The editors say that they regularly update the site with, 'new, inspiring and sometimes groundbreaking artwork from professional illustrators all over the world.' A browse through the blog archives is a treat for the eyes.

Hire an Illustrator features illustrators portfolios, as well as industry news. One nice feature is 'the wall' which is a wall made up of lots of small blocks of different illustrators work. You can click on one image to be taken to the illustrators website.

Sugar Frosted Goodness is another group blog where a whole bunch of illustrators post their work. The blog is pretty simple, but there seems to be a steady stream of work in a wide range of styles. A pretty good place to see what kind of pieces other illustrators are producing.

Thunder Chunky is a nice-looking site with a mix of interviews and articles, giving you the chance to find out about artists and how they work. The site is put together by a bunch of illustrators and digital designers.

Fuel Your Illustration is a busy site which features news, interviews, software reviews and tutorials for illustrators. The website is part of a larger network of sites which are all about the creative industries.

Folioplanet is a directory of thousands of illustrators. It's a great place for just exploring and checking out the work of other artists. If you want to get listed as an illustrator on the site yourself, you have to pay an application fee.