The field of documentary illustration includes the creation of courtroom drawings, police sketch art, caricatures, and any type of illustration created by an artist who works on-location. For most, the pressure of this type of work is daunting. Nevertheless, for those chosen few who have the knack for producing spontaneous, accurate, stylized illustrations in front of an audience and under pressure, a career as a documentary artist may be an exciting alternative to creating art in the solitary environment of a studio. Documentary illustrators are hired to cover public festivals, sports, and military events.
A new type of documentary artist has surfaced over the past decade or so creating stylized, on-the-spot reporting by way of their visuals. Many of these artists incorporate hand-written text within their stylized renditions, depicting–in both written and illustrated form–the local, national, or international events they cover. This art can act as a form of event reporting or simply as a means of personal expression. New to the scene, this aspect of documentary art is still finding its place in the industry and society. There will always be a demand for good artists who can produce drawings on-site and with a creative flair.
Ginevra Airport © 2014 Fabio Consoli
Vietnam Floating Market © 2014 Fabio Consoli
Boston Marathon © 2014 Jane Collins
Whitey © 2014 Jane Collins