What Is Illustration? Know the Illustration Mediums and Trends!

Do you have a clear idea of what illustration is? Are you having doubts about what illustration is and how you should use illustration in different types of mediums? It is sometimes overwhelming to get the explicit purpose of illustration in modern communications and techniques due to the availability of a huge amount of visual arts here. 

You must have noticed an increasing demand for creative and lively visuals. However, everyone has a limited idea about the correct purpose and application of illustrations in this modern art industry. 

In this blog post, I am going to discuss what illustration is, how many mediums illustrators use, and what are the latest trends in illustration. Whether you are an artist or illustration enthusiast, you will receive an in-depth knowledge of how illustrations bring life to mundane drawings and shape young minds. 

Let's explore mediums of illustrations together below!

What Is Illustration? 

Illustration refers to the specific form of visual Art that assists illustrators in conveying stories or stating their original ideas in a creative way via images. It can be made by hand or using digital tools or techniques. 

Books, printed magazines, commercials, product designs, and websites often employ illustrations. Illustrations, compared to images, are generally created and drawn, enabling more expression and imagination. They should be highly abstract or more realistic, and they can be applied to add aesthetics or make content easier to comprehend. In simple terms, illustration is a versatile tool that makes lively concepts in a way that words fail to convey.

9 Best Types of Illustration Mediums

You have already developed an idea of illustration, and there are varieties of illustration mediums to make a catchy and visually appealing children's books. Below are some significant illustration mediums that serve their exclusive purpose and form the unique styles of their illustrations.

Let's start by understanding the different types of mediums below;

1.  Colored Pencil

The most vital medium for generating complex, vibrant illustrations is colored pencils. This medium is highly recommended to add minute details, they allow accurate stacking and color control. Specific illustration techniques help illustrators to create textured effects or flat gradients. 

Illustrators have the full freedom to experiment with this medium as it is flexible and can be applied to different types of paper. Soft and vivid in color, colored pencil illustrations are just perfect for higher-level illustrations, portraits, and environmental themes.

2. Watercolor

Watercolor is another popular and most-used medium in illustrations which is famous for its delicate and smooth texture. The dyeing agents used in this medium are diluted with water to create watery effects and blending. With different brush techniques, illustrators can make stunning, intense colors or delicate washes. 

Environmental themes, floral illustrations, and catchy portraits are among the typical applications of watercolor. Each element has a different appeal due to the unusual nature of the water and unique color mixing technique. It is a popular medium that enables both control and freedom, making it highly suitable for portraying playfulness and emotion.

3. Charcoal or Graphite

Traditional painting mediums such as charcoal and graphite are popular for their ability to make rich and vibrant tones along with intense contrasts. While graphite offers delicate, fine details, charcoal makes expressive and bold lines. 

Both mediums are highly recommended for realistic drawings and figure illustrations as they offer excellent texture and shading. To create compelling effects, illustrators can apply a range of methods, such as blending, smudging, and hatching. Illustrations in graphite and charcoal often express depth and mood with stunning creative abstraction and precision.

4. Collage

Collage is another type of illustration medium that is highly used by illustrators nowadays. This is the medium of developing a unique piece of Art by combining various elements such as pictures, paper, and fabric onto a surface. Texture, different layering, and a unique visual appeal are all achievable with this specific medium of illustration. 

Paint, printed images, and even 3D objects come under the different media that illustrators can combine. Collage provides unlimited innovative opportunities and is a stunning way to blend traditional and modern elements. Due to its ability to generate visually appealing and thought-provoking illustrations, it is often applied in graphic design, editorial design, and fine Art.

5. Markers

Markers are another significant illustration medium that provides vibrant, catchy, and bold color palettes for quick use. These are especially popular for comic Art, graphic design, and illustration. Various types of markers, like alcohol-based and water-based markers, have different purposes to serve. 

Water-based markers can offer outcomes similar to watercolor, whereas markers that are alcohol-based produce blendable and creamy hues. Different types of markers perform well for both industrial and artistic arts as they make fine details, crisp lines, and pictures with a lot of vibrant colors.

6. Acrylic

Acrylic paint is flexible, ever-lasting, and fast to dry, among other popular illustration mediums. It can be used on a range of surfaces, such as canvas, paper, and wood. Acrylic paint medium can be mixed with water to create a stunning watercolor effect, or illustrators can use it in thick form to create a textured appearance. 

Acrylic mediums are highly popular for their vivid colors and ability to make layers that are translucent and dense. This specific illustration medium is often applied in both industrial illustration as well as fine Art, and it is highly recommended for bold, and contemporary designs. For illustrators that work in layers, its short period of drying makes it popular.

7. Vector Illustrations

Vector illustrations are another major type of medium that is applied by artists frequently these days. These are specially developed with the help of advanced digital software such as Adobe Illustrator, Affinity Designer, Inkscape, Sketch, and more! These illustration mediums are grounded on mathematical principles, helping them to be reshaped without losing their original resolution and quality. 

Vector art is popular for its smooth textures, sharp edges, and clean lines. It is often used in digital images, logo designs, and icons due to its scalability and precision. Vector graphics are gaining popularity in web design, advertising, and branding due to their ease of editing and customization. Different customization options and versatility are offered with this specific illustration medium.

H3: 8. Digital painting

Digital painting is an excellent medium for illustration that replicates classic painting techniques such as watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting with advanced digital software. Illustration makes artwork that appears hand-painted with the integration of digital tools such as tablets and styluses. An unlimited variety of layers, textures, colors, and undo options make digital painting possible. It is perfect for creating delicate, textured, and detailed drawings. Digital Art, video game development, and conceptual Art all make great use of this specific medium. It blends the exactness of modern techniques with the fluidity of painting.

H3: 9. Multimedia

Last but not least, multimedia illustrations are among one of the best illustration mediums for approaching 2025. 

Multimedia illustration integrates traditional and modern digital elements by using a range of resources and techniques. To create their illustrations, artists can combine digital tools, drawings, paintings, and images. This medium mixes media, textures, and layers to create unlimited opportunities for creativity. Modern Art, advertising, and editorial graphics often add multimedia illustrations. Versatile, visually appealing graphics that grab the attention of a huge amount of audiences and allow creative narrative are generated by blending varied mediums and different styles.

Latest Trends in Children's Book Illustrations

It is very challenging to say that the changes in illustrations have become the most popular trend in the approaching 2025. Let me guide you through some of the most popular areas of changing themes and techniques that are likely to create pictures of children's storybooks. 

Let's get going.

Use of vibrant and bold colors in modern illustrations: Bold and bright colors are becoming highly popular and common in children's book illustrations. Children are attracted to these vibrant colors as they create colorful, lively images. Vibrant colors boost the story, develop moods, and help in expressing different emotions. Books are turning visually engaging and relevant to young readers as an outcome of this popular trend.

Application of digital tools: Children's book illustrations often employ advanced digital tools. To create fluid, complex, and flexible artwork, illustrators use software such as Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, Figma, and Procreate. The method can be boosted by using digital software, which makes layering, editing, and color manipulation easy to apply. In addition to these, this specific illustration trend makes it accessible to use artistic effects and textures, which bring illustrations more depth.

Impact of popular culture on illustration: Children's book illustrations are more shaped by popular culture than before. In some cases, characters from TV series, movies and social media events feature in books. The connection to popular pop culture guides children to recognize the storyline. The book keeps itself up to date and appealing to young audiences as an outcome.

Impact of popular culture on illustration: Children's book illustrations are more shaped by popular culture than before. In some cases, characters from TV series, movies and social media events feature in books. The connection to popular pop culture guides children to recognize the storyline. The book keeps itself up to date and appealing to young audiences as an outcome.

Influence of social media: Children's book illustrations have been highly inspired by social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest. Fresh trends and styles are developed by artists offering their artworks online. Social media offers illustrators the chance to engage with their potential audiences and deliver prompt responses. It also permits the fast sharing of creative and innovative ideas and new book publications.

Personalized imagery: In children's books, a customized picture begins to increase in popularity. Books are personalized by adding the names, physical characteristics, and hobbies of the children. This custom method boosts the interest of young readers in reading and forms a strong emotional connection with the story. For young audiences, personalized imagery offers an unforgettable impression.

Revival of Hand-Drawn Art: The use of hand-drawn images in children's books is becoming more popular. Even though digital software is still greatly in use, the majority of illustrators think that this technique of using pen, ink, and water is more convenient than advanced ones. This traditional approach gives the books a familiar, credible vibe. In certain cases, digital illustrations failed to match the appeal and personalized touch that only hand-drawn illustrations offer.

STEM and STEAM integration: STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and STEM (except Art) themes are becoming increasingly popular and used in children's books or novels. Illustration styles relevant to these topics assist in engaging children with informative content in a creative and imaginative manner. The visual approach of storytelling helps in learning and introducing difficult concepts via visually approachable and attractive artworks. 

Character-centric illustrations: Character-centric illustrations are a very usual element of modern children's books. Characters serve as essential to the story as they are displayed in a wide variety of emotions, actions, and settings. Kids can relate to the story's characters on a deeper level due to this specific trend, which also boats the story. In addition, it highlights how important emotional expressions and identity are to stories.

Bold Typography: Bold typography is another trending feature of children's book illustrations. This kind of trend is becoming highly popular in children's book illustrations. Catchy and vibrant fonts are frequently applied to highlight unique concepts and words. This specific illustration trend helps to create more interactive and playful content to engage and motivate young pals. Bold typography is becoming an essential part of the visual narrative, improving the entire aesthetic of children's books. 

Final Thoughts,

That's all for today! This is a complete wrap to our detailed guide on the concept illustration and its mediums and trends. I am hoping nine different illustration mediums will guide any fresher illustration artist to boost their workflow. 

Hoping, I have defined the concept of illustration clearly and in simple terms in this blog. I have also tried to clear all your doubts regarding illustration mediums and current trends in 2025.

If you are searching for fresh and professionally made unique illustrations that will form and engage young readers, connect with Ananta Mohanta, the Top 1% of Children's Book Illustrators. 

Happy reading.