Making the selections for a book like 100 Illustrators (published by Taschen) is an exercise on many levels. You want to feature the work of the artists you not just like, but have also followed for years, but you also need to think about each one’s contribution to the field of illustration: who they inspire, their unmistakable style, and the bulk of work they have produced and continue to make. It’s a lot to take into consideration. Over the last seven years, we have profiled over 700 illustrators for the Illustration Now! series, as well as collaborated on books covering portrait and fashion illustration. But recently, we decided it was time to whittle down the list and create the most important book that’s been produced in the field in decades. It is not a showcase. It is an art book about the art of illustration. In honor of this project, we’ve chosen 20 of our favorites from 100 Illustrators.
Alderete’s strong pop approach to Latin icons has made him an icon of his own. By exploring especially Mexican themes, he has put Latin America on the world map of Illustration.
- Julius Wiedemann
His dark work might be scary for some, but it has an incredible sensibility, with a revealing power that creates a story of its own. No wonder it is now in many museums and private collections.
- Steven Heller
Banyai’s unmistakable fine lines and flat colors take our breath away with their sensuality, the same effect achieved by his attention to detail in the scenes he chooses to portray.
- Julius Wiedemann
In creating his own original characters, Baseman has distinguished himself from most illustrators. With a remarkable style and use of many forms of media, Gary has blurred the lines between art and illustration more than any other artist.
- Julius Wiedemann
Biskup’s style uses colorful and geometric images that, in a contemporary cubism, have invaded all possible media and blurred the boundaries of art and design.
- Steven Heller
From political work to caricature, Brodner is considered a visual commentator, and his pieces have created a unique visual language that complements the stories they illustrate in fantastic ways.
- Steven Heller
One of the most versatile contemporary illustrators, Chwast has been able to surprise readers from children’s books to magazines. Moreover, he has been a great innovator in using typographic design and illustration.
- Steven Heller
Cochran’s work is a breathtaking construction of images with fine lines and color, where superb sensibility is given a platform.
- Steven Heller
With his stark comics visual language, Hanuka has created his own aesthetics, using a strong color palette and cinematic angles.
- Julius Wiedemann
Almost like a visual novelist, Hewgill discourses about human attitude and behavior in her work, extending the stories through visual delight.
- Julius Wiedemann
His paintings are like classics, but with a very contemporary take that invite all viewers to contemplate the situation portrayed.
- Steven Heller
Here is a guy who has innovated over and over, throughout his entire career, and has led the way into the 21st century of illustration.
- Steven Heller
Kako is one of the most sensitive illustrators I have ever met. He has the capacity to get his head around an editorial problem that needs to be solved and still get people looking at an image over and over just for the beauty of it.
- Julius Wiedemann
Expressionist strokes with thick paint and the use of screen-printing and other techniques make Klassen’s work and compositions incredibly pleasurable to see, and tempting to touch.
- Julius Wiedemann
One of the greatest authorities in the contemporary art world, Kunz’s detailed and classic paintings take you to other dimensions of illustration.
- Steven Heller
Lomax has pushed the boundaries of 3D illustration, adding incredible use of colors and stunning facial expressions rarely seen before.
- Julius Wiedemann
If you manage to create such a strong style that is recognizable beyond a doubt, you have achieved heaven in illustration. Gildo has done that.
- Julius Wiedemann
Minimalism is an art for few. And if you pair that with great ideas, you find what Niemann has achieved.
- Steven Heller
With his unmistakable brush strokes that contain so much movement, Parada has made realistic illustration a desired art form not only for magazines and newspapers, but also on the walls of galleries and collectors.
- Julius Wiedemann
Payne’s unique facial expressions using the finest technique will always be an inspiration for both readers and other artists.
- Steven Heller
