Illustration, Painting, Drawing, Sketching, and Coloring

Well, what's making me so confused is these words. Illustration, Painting, Drawing, Sketching, and Coloring. Those words have been making me wondering what's the meaning of those. So I did think about them and kill my time to make my theory about them. Of course, the theory can't be guaranteed until you learn them in english language (in university, I mean). But I'm not a university student, I'm just an ordinary highschool student.

You know, I'm currently in holiday and have nothing to do except this thing. I will post some to kill my time during holiday. Okay here I am.

- Illustration

From the word, I believe that has to be something connected with some skills in imagination. The outline is very smooth if you see it, of course. It's because the thing was edited with some program which can be helpful. Very different if you compare with Painting although illustration does take some color to make it colorful or give it life. Though, it will be easier if I give a example.

Wow, what a great anime wallpaper, it looks so real. The artist is amazing, isn't he.? Anyway, This wallpaper can be called as illustration. Taken from the link here Illustration
Many pictures which is in the link are illustrations.

- Painting

Apart from illustration, I'd say that this one is rougher than illustration because I think this doesn't use any programs that is used to edit. Purely hand-drawing, in other words. The example is below.

Of course, it's amazing that the artist can make this painting looks so real (again). This sure needs some really expert skills to make one. Or, perhaps a long experience in painting enough to make you as a maestro. Maestro,,, I can say that's the final stage of artist to achieve. Pablo Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, etc.

The link : Painting

- Drawing

This isn't a noun, but a verb. I believe it. Everytime you make a illustration or painting, the action can be said as "Drawing" because you are obviously making something that comes out of your imagination. Drawing is sure something that is connected with imagination. lol Just take it easy, and feel free to use this verb everytime you are talking about illustration or painting. Either of those, the result is still same.

The example... is here

 So, drawing is usually done with pencils. Of course, this can't be said as illustration or painting because it doesn't have any color.


- Sketching

This is also a verb. But the function is different. Let's see, drawing means you are making something then coloring it. So the result of drawing can be either illustration or painting. Then... This one, sketching is like making something but couldn't be finished because it was purely just an idea.

In other words, before drawing, you might have to sketch first. Make outline first then draw, like the drawing above. To make it easier to understand, see the example below. This too needs pencil to do.

After sketching, then you can make a drawing by picking one of these that have been made. That's how it's.

- Coloring

Finally, this is the easiest thing to understand. Simply, coloring is about giving some colors into your drawing. And thus, will become either illustration or painting. But, I think you have to learn the basic of color so you can make the illustration or painting looks so real. Well, it isn't that easy to be able to make what we see.

But whatever we are talking about this and that. What's matters is hand-drawing. Without hand-drawing, you can't make illustration or painting. That's the very basic of art. Still there are many thing that I don't know because I'm still a beginner.

Anyway, there's one question in my mind. What's a picture, anyway.? Is it made with camera.? I can't be sure.... Oh yeah, please do remember that this is only a theory that can sometimes be wrong. Don't take it so serious. Hahaha.