Part three in the Looking at series on Modernist Illustrators.
Art Seiden (1923 – 2004)
Seiden is a legend among 50′s illustrators. Working primarily in children’s book illustration, Seiden made his illustrations from transparent watercolours and gouache. His work encompasses everything wonderful about the 50s, the childhood charm, grace, and whimsy of the era, mixed with the reserved expression and flamboyancy of detail. An absolutely wonderful illustrator!
Kiley may seem like an unusual choice in a list of modernist illustrators but I felt like she had to be included on account of her beautiful typography and lovely 50-esque hands and people. There’s a distinct impression of the lounge bars of the past in the smooth lines and elegant hands, not to mention her wonderful palettes of pastel shades and tones. And let’s not forget the perfect use of wood-cut style textures.
Brewster is a modern face in the world of illustration, yet his classic colour palettes and screen-printed style of design makes his work timeless. His style of sketch and use of block colours is very ‘Catch Me if you Can‘. In some of his more clean cut pieces there is almost call backs to the Polish design of the modernist era. Another current illustrator that definitely is one to watch.
