Dr. Carl Sagan said: “You have to know the past to understand the present.”
This is very true of the visual arts. The following web sites are a treasure trove of classic illustration.
Look at the art to understand how to handle composition, render textures, use color, and learn who are the rock stars in illustration!
American Illustrators Gallery - Features image gallery of artists from the "Golden Age of Illustration".
http://www.americanillustrators.com/
Women Children's Book Illustrators- Women illustrators from the Victorian period up to World War II
http://www.ortakales.com/Illustrators/
A smattering of some of the most famous illustrators of the last 125 years
http://www.bpib.com/illustra.htm
SurLaLune Fairy Tale Illustration Gallery - Classic fairy tale illustrations
http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/illustrations/index.html
Vintage Advertising Art:
http://grapefruitmoongallery.com/gallery/illustrationandcoverart.shtml
A vast selection of old adverts, nostalgic illustrations, classic posters and vintage magazines:
http://www.advertisingarchives.co.uk/gallery_indexpage.php
