Illustration
Location: Fine Arts 4, Third Floor
Program Head: Robin Richesson
Illustration is graphic theater. With the illusionist’s wonderworking skills taught in graphic arts studios to draftsmen gifted in storytelling the illustrator calls up the magnificent spectacle of the theater. Keen observation coupled with a vivid imagination indicates the potential illustration student. University program students of illustration concentrate on descriptive skill development, on concepts of dramatic concision, on theatric staging and on design practice in modern disseminative drawing, particularly figure drawing free of the dependence on photographic sourcing central to many academic programs, characterizes the CSULB program. CSULB sponsors interdepartmental study, and the illustration program routinely aligns input from expert faculty in other schools, notably Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, often stressing paleontology and Journalism, to prepare specializing artists. A particularly successful coalition is our much honored Biomedical Art (graduate) program. Graduates of CSULB illustration BFA, MA, and MFA programs are welcome throughout the industry. Many have distinguished themselves in political art, in visual journalism, in storyboarding for cinema and television, in all aspects of editorial art as well as gallery exhibition. Visiting artists are integral to the success of the illustration program. Distinguished professional regularly augment the faculty with workshops and presentations. The resident illustration faculty is comprised of experienced professional artists of acknowledged accomplishment.