Could we see a new ‘golden age’ for illustrators?
Illustrations seem to be out of fashion for many modern publishers
A recent article in the Independent asked ‘where have all the illustrators gone?’ and suggested that at least one of the reasons for the dearth of illustrations in modern books was cost.
Illustrated books have always been expensive, because of the costs of both creation and distribution – but the development of digital technology is changing that in a dramatic way. The written word, accompanied by illustration, can now be held in digital stores and downloaded to iPads, Kindles and other e-tablets all over the world, and at quite a modest cost to the customer.
Many feel that current pricing models for book apps do not always properly reflect the cost of making them. But even so, (and here I am in agreement with Dan Franklin of Jonathan Cape at the end of the article) I feel that tablets present a new opportunity for illustrations – both within the realm of children’s books and beyond. Perhaps we are indeed on the verge of a ‘new golden age’ for illustration. I hope so.
Readers Comments
How exciting, should very much hope that this is a new age for illustration. My imagination was fired and my childhhod hugely shaped by images from the delicious books I devoured. After all a picture paints a thousand words. Ruthie
Let’s hope so. JJ
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