Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with illustrations

Please help me remember a website containing digitized old illustrations and woodcuts.

odinsdream — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 20:29:13 -0800

Please help me find an online collection of old woodcuts and other decorative elements available as vector drawings. I've lost my bookmark to it. Example images inside. This website was a wonderful collection of old artwork that had been digitized and was mostly available free, or for minimal cost. The collection was organized into categories and included stylized capital letters, art deco, nature imagery, religious and ceremonial, etc.

I used the resources for our wedding invitations and programs, so I have a folder of a few of the files that I know came from this site. I've tried to research the filenames without success.

Here are the few that I have, in case someone recognizes one of them. I've converted them to PNG format for display in a browser, but they were all originally EPS:
alfredj.png
bradle1yorn.png
ornamentalm.png
orndaisy.png
platinm.png
stationers.png
vintage.png

Thanks!

Name this book illustration blog!

actionpact — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:39:34 -0800

Help me name my illustrated book blog project! Some illustrator friends and I are starting a blog up where in 2010 we each will draw a scene of a favorite book of ours, every month. (There are eleven people, so eleven books, illustrated at least once a month) These aren't all children's books-- I'm doing Alice in Wonderland, but among some of the other books are One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Tarzan, and the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Sounds good, right? Well, I am bad at naming and the first thing I came up with, Picture Book Club, sounded good enough to go with. However I just found that there is a picturebookclub.com, which is a book review blog. Plus since not all the books are all ages/childrens' oriented, maybe picture-book as a term isn't a good one. I am struggling to come up with a better name so I'm hoping you Me-fites might have some awesome suggestions!

Basic starter words to get you thinking: books, illustrations, drawings, stories, storytelling, scenes, reading, worlds, color, mood, narrative.

I was thinking something like Storytelling/Storytellers' Society/League/Club/Lodge or something but I bet you guys can think up something ten times more awesome than that!

Thanks hivemind!

Is it even legal to commission a redraw of an exsisting illustration?

royalsong — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 06:38:53 -0800

I need to replicate this picture. I can't use that picture due to copyright issues. But my client is insistent on using the idea. What are my options? It seems to be I have three options, so probably three questions.

A) Find the original illustrator and attempt to gain copyright to use the image. Have NO idea where to start because my client doesn't remember where the image came from and my google skills fail me. I also need a much higher quality of that image.

B) Commission someone to redraw it. Where do I find a person like this? Would Etsy be a place to try? How much should I expect to pay? I'm concerned about this option, because this job does not pay much.

C) Find replacement pictures. Which I have tried to do. (flour, eggs, bowl for picture 1, cakemix for picture 2, store bought cake for picture 3, party at chuck e cheeses for picture 4). I wasn't fond of my results because these need to go into a flash animation. I couldn't shrink the pictures down far enough to keep their quality/clarity and still fit them within the required dimensions. (which is 700 pixels wide by 290 high)

D) Any other idea you might have?

Thanks!

Illustrations for child's space-themed mural?

ericbop — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:01:56 -0800

Our son is getting too old for the animals on his wall, and we'd like to do a space theme (rockets, the real planets, etc). We've found that by enlarging an image and printing it out on clear label paper, we can make murals using our favorite illustrations, either found online or in books (technique originally posted here). So, we're looking for cool illustrations of the planets, rockets, etc. Preferably with a Mary Blairish, 1950's feel. Any suggestions, either on the internet or book recommendations?

Free high-res images for my walls?

zoomorphic — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:35:20 -0800

I have access to free printing on canvas paper, so I'd like to find some high-resolution (100 dpi minimum) images of neat illustrations and unusual images to frame. I'm not a cutting edge art aficionado, but I like everything from the poppy fairytale illustrations of artists like Yoko Furusho to botanical drawings, Japanese prints, creepy images from old books, antique maps, Arthur Rackham, etc. I prefer color illustrations over black-and-white because my walls are tall, white, and sterile. For starters, this site has been helpful, though most of the images aren't big enough. Of course, I still plan on supporting artists via etsy.com and various shows, but I have far more blank walls than dollars to decorate them.

Thanks in advance!

Printmaking in picture books?

heyforfour — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:00:28 -0800

Help find me examples of printmaking in children's book illustrations! I'm looking for as many examples as possible of children's book illustrators, or individual picture books, that use printmaking techniques. Individual examples are very very welcome; I'd also be curious if there are any resources out there that compile this type of information.

Examples of woodcut prints in particular would be fantastic, but I'm not picky. Books that feature illustrations of this type but aren't picture books are also good as long as they are kid-appropriate.

I've already put in a call to my librarian, but this is a last-minute project and I'd love as many sources of input as possible.

Thank you!!

Wanted: Research on how illustrations influence learning

runningdogofcapitalism — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:22:36 -0800

I'm looking for well-respected, academic research on the positive influence of illustrations in a learning environment--more specifically, when used in textbooks. Thought I would put the question to the hive during my search. Can anyone recommend some good sources?

What's this fairly creepy illustration I saw in a book as a child?

adipocere — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:28:09 -0800

What's this fairly creepy illustration I saw in a book as a child? This was a (probably) monochrome drawing, full-page, of a woman being eaten by a large, troll-like creature, somewhere in a book of (I assume) creepy short stories. This was from my elementary school library, so I also add the assumption that it was probably not a book ostensibly for adults.

Now that I am older, I can clearly see that it was a reference (to be kind) to Goya's Saturn Devouring His Son. However, I recall some distinct differences. First, it was clearly a woman as the victim. Second, in an attempt to spare our childish sensibilities, she was not nude, but rather dressed in a sheer nightgown. (Yes, people being eaten is okay, hey, thatsa naked lady! is bad.) Third, the woman's head, up to her shoulders, was in the creature's significantly larger mouth; she was dangling limply, like some prey item being digested by an enormous frog. Fourth, the humanoid itself was in nearly full profile, rather than staring madly bulge-eyed at the viewer.

The book would have been published prior to 1986.

This was not the Very Scary Stories series — I have all of them and have checked. Additionally, the stories were substantially longer than the quickies in that series. I am less certain that this was not from the Joan Kahn-edited series, such as Some Things Weird and Wicked. I have not finished purchasing all of them, however, and continue to try to track down full-sized, illustrated versions.

And, before you ask, no, this is not a 'vore fetish thing.

Is Curious George really a monkey?

mausburger — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:25:00 -0800

So, is Curious George really a monkey? Can you identify what species of monkey or ape he might be? After being seriously over-exposed to Curious George and the admonitions to "Be a good little monkey," I am starting to think that he probably isn't a monkey. For starters, he doesn't have a tail. Isn't that the key distinction between apes and monkeys? Also, isn't he rather large for a monkey? I think he might be a chimpanzee, but in the illustrations and TV show, he's brown, not black.

So, is Curious George really a monkey? Can you identify what species of monkey or ape he might be?

I have a child who is nearly 3 and I clearly have been getting too much George on TV, books, and the computer.

Incredibly detailed and illustrated books wanted.

Xere — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:31:15 -0800

I've recently become a fan of fiction books with immersing, at times overly detailed but precise illustrations, fold-outs, maps, ads, newspaper clippings. And they're part of the storyline, not just an oh-by-the-way illustration of something that's already fully explained in the text. The only ones I've come across so far are Eric Chase Anderson's Chuck Dugan is AWOL, Joshua Mowll's Operation Red Jericho and its sequel (these are literally overflowing with fantastic foldouts), and maybe even Hans Jurgen Press's Black Hand Gang books. Although Chuck Dugan is AWOL and the Black Hand Gang books don't have foldouts and maps, they nonetheless have illustrations just stuffed full of detail, and on nearly every page too! Surely there are plenty of others in the same line? Help, summer is here and I must read/see/devour them all. Please excuse my overly breathy tone. I really love these books.

No, not comics or manga - that's different.

Is there a name for this style of art?

johnofjack — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:16:29 -0800

Is there a name for Satoshi Kitamura's art style in Creepy Crawly Song Book? Recently I found the Creepy Crawly Song Book at the library and really like the artwork (cover, page inside) : simple, deliberately crude with distorted angles, thick lines, and bold colors.

It reminds me a bit of Eric Carle's work (especially The Very Hungry Caterpillar), except Carle is less interested in strong black lines and much more interested in blending colors.

Is there a formal name for this style of artwork? I find people online calling it folksy, naive, bold, etc. but I'd like to know if there's actually a recognized movement it would be put into (with, naturally, similar artists to look into).

Looking for illustrations/cartoons from the late 50's/early 60's in a 'sophisticated' yet naiive style.

h00py — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:04:36 -0800

I'm trying to design an invitation to a combined housewarming/40th birthday party (two separate people) and I want some pictures on the invitation which are in the style of 'sophisticated' but also kind of naiive late 50's/early 60's illustrations/cartoons but I'll be damned if I can google search what I'm looking for. Can you help? This may be terribly imprecise because that's my problem when it comes to the searching but I thought I'd try to explain what I want to you good people and you can tell me what this style is so I can look for the exact illustrations I want (direct links to what I'm looking for because you are awesome are also welcome).

It's the kind of thing you'd see in the animated credits to a Doris Day movie. Stylized women with pointy elbows. Little stars and chevrons and things. I'm thinking of a house with flames and a pointy-elbowed woman with curly hair going 'ah!' and a sophisticated long-haired woman holding a martini glass and throwing her head back and laughing throatily.

Can you see what's in my head? Please help!

a massive book of freaky beasties

changeling — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:34:25 -0800

Massive, gorgeous book of illustrated biological species and specimens, possibly Victorian-era, found at Z Gallerie a year or so ago -- help! I'm not even 100 percent sure it was at Z Gallerie. It really was massive, maybe two feet tall. Or maybe my brain is expanding it because I remember it so fondly. It cost around $100 or $150, which is why I didn't buy it at the time, but I keep thinking about it. The vintage prints (or plates?) of bizarre, colorfully rendered wildlife would be amazing to frame...

And if you can think of a similar book or resource with equally frameworthy old-school illustrations of plants and animals, I'm interested in that too. Thanks!

What is this image from?

Charlie Lesoine — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:59:27 -0800

Does anyone recognize what book this illustration is from? It looks pretty old. Hopefully in the public domain.

The Future of War?

Ryvar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 03:48:36 -0800

Help me find a series of illustrated children's hardcover books from the 70s/80s about the upcoming technologies of "The Future" When I was 7 or 8 ('87-'88) I remember my grade school library had a whole series of illustrated hardcover books - big and thin (30-60 pages, say) covering the future of various topics. Future of flight, future of space travel, future of robotics, etc. The future of war was a particular standout as it had a very vivid illustration of two robotic hovertanks in combat - I believe it was on the front cover as well. That's the specific one I'm looking for but I'm after the whole series if possible.

Things I'm less sure about, some of these may be red herrings: I seem to recall all the books generally had a white cover (fairly sure of this) with a blue seriffed font for the title (not as sure about this), and all the titles ran along a basic theme that was literally like "The Future of War" "The Future of Robotics", etc. etc.

The art was particularly well-rendered, and generally didn't fall into the category of cheesy 50s-60s space art. Anybody have any ideas?

Lizards in Medical Illustrations

haikuku — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 12:12:14 -0800

I am doing some research for a paper and have been looking at old medical illustrations. In many of these they have drawn a lizard, and sometimes a fish suspended from the ceiling by a cord. They are hanging from their neck as well as their tail so that they are hanging the way they would look if they were on land ( or in the water). Why did they draw these? Were they an everyday decoration in those times? Did they signify something medical?

Headless Humanoids??

hermitosis — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 11:10:49 -0800

Cryptozoology question! I'm looking for the well-known illustrations from the account of that "explorer" (whose name I don't remember) who published tales of fantastical beasts and strange humanoids hundreds of years ago.

In particular, I'm looking for the drawings of the headless people with faces growing out of their stomachs.

I know someone is probably going to answer this in mere minutes; I just haven't been able to turn up anything no matter how industriously I set Google loose on it.

Pictures of Dinosaurs

turbanhead — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 07:49:01 -0800

Dinosaurs - old drawings, illustrations, etchings of I'm looking for a good source of illustrations/drawings of dinosaurs, preferably from the 18th/19th century. I've found a few on the British Library site and the NY Public Library's digital archive, but not too many.

example: http://tinyurl.com/ygst77

Finding a piece of my childhood

lucyleaf — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 14:47:12 -0800

I'm trying to locate a book I loved as a child. Help! There's... I read this at about the age of 10 (early 80s). It was in paperback then, and I believe I got it through a book club. I think it might have had a red cover?

It was about a group of kids - in Europe, maybe France? - who were solving a mystery together. The "leader" was a boy, I believe.

I don't remember the story as much as the pictures. The story was set in a city - the parts I remember make me really believe it was European. Each part of the story had an intricate illustration that had clues in it. I remember that one drawing took you into a pond. There was a bicycle and various types of city trash down there.

It's not much to go on, I know, but I'd love to relocate this book and save it for my daughter. Do your magic, Hive Mind!

Where can I find a cartoon illustrators forum?

aqueousdan — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 10:19:44 -0800

Looking for forum or community for people who, for want of a better term, do illustrations (of mainly cartoony type things a la Pictoplasma, www.zeloot.nl, Los Logos, etc) in Adobe Illustrator or similar. I have an interest in the subject and would like to get into it more but have a lack of knowledge of how these works of art are produced and would love to find a user forum where people like me could participate and learn from more advanced illustrators.

russian drawings from films

jonson — Wed, 05 Jul 2006 06:49:56 -0800

I found this page of Russian illustrations from films via Kottke this morning, and am curious if anyone can help identify the films. Some are obvious (The Terminator, Spiderman, LOTR, The Matrix) others less so...

Finding new web exhibitions

peacay — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 21:45:17 -0800

Where on the internet are the best places to get information about new web exhibitions from the repositories of the world? I'm partial to eclectic book illustrations myself and that interest crosses over the art, science and literature genres and includes museums, galleries and of course libraries.

No single site is likely to be out there so I'm looking for suggestions ranging from those weblogs that might concentrate on the big Universities to newspaper sections, local or state portals and most particularly, specialty weblogs.

By way of example I visit, subscribe to or have emails sent from such places as the 24hr Museum (UK), Resource Shelf, Scout Report, plep (of course!) among others. I subscribe to some delicious, googlenews and technorati word search feeds. I know about other things such as google.print, the European Library, Warburg Institute and the Smithsonian and Uni of Idaho link lists.

I realize all of this gives me a reasonable handle on things but I want to know most specifically which repository in the world has got a new: online rare book, history, art or science exhibition or updated digital site, without having to visit 3,972,003 websites each week or the like.

What I often find is that there are a lot of sites talking about the politics and mechanics of digitization and precious few who concentrate on announcing what is actually available to us all. And I figure that this type of thing is close to the hearts of many members as a lot of this sort of data ultimately filters through to MeFi.

The bonus round contenders will provide direct links to esoteric, unusual or less known digital collection sections in the African, Asian and eastern European arenas.

An illustrated book about the evolution of humans

Big Fat Tycoon — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 12:48:33 -0800

Inspired by this question, does anyone remember an illustrated, sci-fi book that came out about 15-20 years ago, which consisted mostly of possible forms that human evolution would take, and full-colour illustrations of what these future humans would look like? I only skimmed it once at a bookstore as a kid, but I distinctly remember one image where there were two types of humans, given Latin species names: a small, overseer human form that farmed and ate these cow-like, obese humans.

Unfortunately, that's about all I have to off of.

Kneed a Knot Book

thewittyname — Fri, 31 Dec 2004 20:07:07 -0800

Any recommendations for a book on knots? [MI] I'm a total idiot when it comes to 3D manipulation, so I need a book with lots of pictures/illustrations. I don't care if the book doesn't have a lot of knots, so long as the ones that are included are very well illustrated. Thanks in advance!

Bayeux Tapestry Resources

turbanhead — Fri, 10 Dec 2004 06:55:14 -0800

I am looking for either books or online resources for Bayeux Tapestry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry - style illustrations (or any other book/site that depicts depict medieval life.) So far, the illustrations on the web are of relatively small size or poor quality.