A Study in Sherlock Holmes - (Various)

There are some really interesting examples of illustrations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. The first person to illustrate the character/stories was the artist Sidney Padget. I've heard various stories, such as at first Conan Doyle expected a different (less pretty) archetype for the character, and then decided that the Padget interpretation was fine. They also apparently mistook Sidney Padget for his brother, who was actually more famous at the time.

After Padget's illustrations, not many different stylistic archetypes have changed about the character, and you can definitely see his illustrations in the aesthetics many film adaptations of the stories. It's hard to say how much is due to the direction of the author's descriptions vs. the artist's interpretations though.

the first print illustrations of the story (I couln't find the artist information in the book I was looking at)

below are two Sidney Padget illustrations (along with some actors, etc.)

I found Wyndham Robinson's illustrations very interesting. He was mainly a cartoonist. 

these are all from "A Sherlock Holmes Scrapbook". 

you can find more of sidney padget's illustrations here: http://www.arthes.com/holmes/

and a whole bunch more: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Illustrations_from_books_of_Sherlock_Holmes

and more about wyndham robinson here: http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/drawings/Cartoonography/SatiricalArt/case2/case2.htm

Elisa Arguile

Anthony Browne

Anthony Browne creates very unique textures in the folklore he writes and illustrates.

Leo Lionni

Leo Lionni has love for nature and an influence of his Dutch background. Lionni's illustrations are fun because of the experiments he tries to create texture and shapes. These are illustrations from boos "A Color of His Own", "Swimmy." He stamps with sponges to make fishes, the waves, mixes colors directly on the work, and cut out papers to create shapes. I respect his illustrations for his courage and willingness to change.

Eric Carle

Eric Carle's illustrations shows many traces of his hands, especially the textures he creates with paints on his own. His shapes are often cut very graphically, and assembled with determined value. His color palettes are very contrary and primary. I especially like his spontaneous touches, like strips on the cat's back, or the eyes,nose,and mouth on the pancake.

Shaun Tan's "Memorial"

 I was looking into some of Shaun Tan's other work, and I found this book he did, and I was mostly drawn to the cover since the painting and lighting and colors are beautiful, and because it's so different from his more popular work.  The color palette he's using is interesting because it's less saturated and more understated than you usually see in illustrated books.  I also really like the variety within the pages between the combination of really well rendered/painterly parts next to collage or linework.  (but seriously, that cover)

Texture in "Wave"

I really enjoy the simplicity of the compositions in this book. The entire story is carried by the color blue applied in a way that communicates the behavior of the water. The way the texture is handled, in a way, makes a character out of the water itself. Every stroke and technique is purposeful to communicate movement and atmosphere.

Texture in Night of the Goat Children

Spread from "Night of the Goat Children" by Alexi Natchev. He was one of my professors back at the Delaware College of Art and Design and demo-ed textures a lot, mostly with layers and layers of acrylic paint. I like the business of the characters as opposed to the smooth color in the background.

Jon Klassen!

Here is a selection of book covers and illustrated books by Jon Klassen!



You can see more of Jon Klassen's super impressive portfolio here!  One of my favorite illustrators!

Quick as a Cricket

by: Audrey Wood

illustrated by: Don Wood

Sorry about the bad scan, but I love the simple use of yellow and blue in this composition. Also the pastel texture is really nice.

Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons, illustrated by Il Sung Na

the texture and color of these pieces are extraordinary-I also love that even though it is about winter time, the colors are alive and bright but still feel like that special time between winter thawing and spring awakening

and I'll Huff and I'll Puff

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! as told to Jon Scieszka features illustrations by Lane Smith that captivate with texture and color. The scan doesn't do the image justice, so make sure to check the book out. Find it in the Decker Library in the Quarto section: PZ7 .S35 T7 1989 .