Fine Art vs Illustration

The difference between illustration and fine art is sometimes difficult to ascertain, despite them being two quite different concepts. The line separating these two types of art is often undefined, sometimes even a blur. 

Since both are branches of art, most people assume that they are the same. This is, of course, an incorrect assertion. But then, how does one differentiate between the two? Join us as we help you understand the blurry line between fine art and illustration.

Fine Art Definition

Fine art is art designed by an artist simply to exist. I can be enjoyed by the artist and their audience or exhibited for the world to see and sold at auctions to the highest bidder. Fine art, sometimes called high art, is intended for private display or kept in art galleries and art museums. 

When a piece of fine art is created, it is meant to be the sole original copy of that piece of art. While prints can be made, there is absolutely no expectation of reprints and the reproductions don’t hold the same value as the original does.

Fine art isn't created for the public to own; they may view it at exhibitions, but only one person may own a work of fine art. It, therefore, has an element of exclusivity that increases its perceived value. Fine art drawings, fine art paintings, and fine art sculptures are all examples of fine art. 

Illustration Definition

An illustration is far different from works of fine art that are kept in exclusive galleries across the world. Illustrations are aesthetically pleasing works of art like fine arts; but illustrations are authorized for reproduction in print and other forms of media.

There are many different forms of illustration, and they are generally used for commercial purposes. Before photography became mainstream, illustration was the primary medium for advertising, book cover art, posters, magazines, etc. 

The little cartoon comics that are drawn in newspapers are Illustrations and so are comic book characters. Fashion sketches, propaganda posters, and many product labels are examples of illustration as well.

Unlike fine arts that are meant to have a singular owner, illustrations are made and designed to get printed and broadly distributed.  

Differences Between Fine Art and Illustration

Illustration and fine art are both types of creative artwork. They can have many similarities in skill, techniques, and medium, and yet they are also very different. Here are the key differences between illustration and fine art:

• Price: Fine art has a higher perceived value. 
• Quantity: A fine artwork is one of a kind, while an illustration can be mass-produced.
• Purpose: Fine art needs no purpose, while illustrations are created for commercial purposes, to sell items, entertain or spread messages.
• Audience: Fine art is exclusive, while illustrations are democratic.
• Attribution: Fine artwork is attributed to the artist, while an illustration is more often owned by a brand or company, with the artists remaining anonymous. 

Is Illustration Part of Fine Art?

There is still an ongoing debate into this matter, with many people arguing for illustration being fine art and many others arguing against it. The style of the artwork does not always distinguish it as either fine art or illustration. Many illustrators in the art deco and art nouveau period took inspiration from eastern styles of fine art.

The main difference between fine arts and illustration, in our opinion, is how they gain monetary benefits for their works. Illustrators' works are sold to innumerable people, and a small amount is charged from all of them, whereas works of fine art are sold to a singular owner.

Are Illustrators’ Fine Artists?

There is no difference between fine artists and illustrators in terms of the type of work they do. While there may be a difference in the motivations behind each work, and the method in which they receive monetary compensation for their efforts may differ, the fact of the matter is that, as artists, there is no inherent difference in the work that artists and illustrators do. 

Many fine artists have also produced excellent artworks as commercial illustrators, examples of artists who have done both include Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, and many others. 

What Makes Art an Illustration? 

Art is how an artist works to bring an idea they had or were inspired to have, to life through their work. Illustrations are also based on ideas but look to explain these ideas and serve as a depiction of them, rather than showing them from the artist's perspective. 

Conclusion

Both illustrations and fine art are valid and beautiful expressions of creativity. To explore original artworks and fine art visit an Eden Gallery location, or explore our online art gallery.