What is Atmospheric Illustration?

Learn what atmospheric illustration is along with the key things you need to consider when creating immersive artwork of your own

Atmospheric illustrations are artworks that focus on creating a specific mood or ambiance through the use of visual elements such as color, lighting, texture, and composition. These illustrations evoke emotions and, as the name suggests, convey a sense of atmosphere, often immersing the viewer in the depicted scene or environment.

Artists use various techniques to achieve this effect, from playing with contrasts between light and shadow to utilizing color palettes that evoke specific feelings. Atmospheric illustrations can be found in various forms of media, including book covers, concept art for movies and video games, editorial illustrations, and fine art, always with the same intention—to evoke a connection between the viewer and the piece of work.

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Discover this amazing Domestika course: Atmospheric Painting in Procreate: From Concept to Color
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4 tips for creating the illusion of atmospheric perspective:

The illusion of atmospheric perspective creates a sense of depth and distance in a two-dimensional image to achieve more realistic and engaging compositions. Here are four key elements to consider if you’re interested in incorporating it into your artwork:

1. Color

As objects disappear into the distance, their colors tend to become cooler, lighter, and less potent. This is because the atmosphere scatters and absorbs light, particularly the longer wavelengths of warm colors. To create an atmospheric perspective, use cooler, less saturated colors for distant objects and warmer, more saturated colors for objects in the foreground.

2. Value contrast

Value contrast refers to the difference between the lightest and darkest tones in an image. Objects in the foreground typically have a greater value contrast, while objects in the distance have a reduced value contrast. As objects recede, the contrast between light and dark decreases, making them appear flatter and less detailed. Incorporate this principle into your artwork by reducing value contrast for objects in the background.

3. Detail and texture

The level of detail and texture in objects also plays a role in atmospheric perspective. Objects closer to the viewer tend to have more visible detail and texture, while objects further away appear smoother and less detailed. This is due to the scattering of light and the presence of particles in the atmosphere, which reduce visibility over distance. To create a sense of depth, add more detail and texture to objects in the foreground and gradually reduce it as objects move into the background.

4. Overlapping and position

Overlapping objects and their relative position within the composition can also contribute to the illusion of atmospheric perspective. Objects placed lower down in the image appear closer, while objects placed higher in the image appear farther away. By arranging elements in your composition to overlap and vary in their placement, you can create a sense of depth.

Illustrators to inspire your projects:

If you’re new to the world of atmospheric illustration and are unsure of where to get started, the work of these artists is a great place to start. Known for their evocative pieces, each of them has a unique perspective that could help to inspire your next creative project.

J. R. R. Tolkien

Besides being a famous author, Tolkien was also an accomplished illustrator. Many of his illustrations for his books, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings, have a distinct atmospheric quality.

Yoshitaka Amano

A Japanese artist known for his work on the final fantasy series, Amano's illustrations often have a dreamlike and ethereal atmosphere.

James Gurney

Gurney is the Creator of the Dinotopia series and a master of creating detailed, atmospheric illustrations, often featuring fantastical creatures and landscapes.

Eyvind Earle

An American artist known for his work with Disney, especially on "sleeping beauty, " Earle made atmospheric backgrounds and concept art with a unique style.

Shaun Tan

Tan is an Australian artist and author whose work often features surreal, dreamlike landscapes with a strong sense of atmosphere.

John Harris

A British painter and illustrator, Harris is renowned for his atmospheric science fiction and space art which has been featured on many book covers.

H. R. Giger

H.R. Giger is most well known for his work on the Alien movies, as well as his dark, atmospheric, and often unsettling concept art.

Frank Frazetta

A legendary American fantasy and science fiction artist, Frazetta's work often featured striking environments with dramatic lighting.

Moebius (Jean Giraud)

Moebius developed atmospheric illustrations in various genres, including science fiction, fantasy, and westerns.

N. C. Wyeth

A prominent American illustrator, Wyeth was skilled at creating atmospheric illustrations for classic literature, such as Treasure Island and Robin Hood.

Deborah Lee

Another artist who has made a name for herself in the field of commercial atmospheric illustration is Deborah Lee, a Korean illustrator based in Brooklyn, New York.

Deb has worked alongside prominent brands like Google, Facebook, Lyft, Linkedin, and Procreate, in addition to partnering with esteemed media organizations such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and PBS. Deb has also written her own graphic memoir titled In Limbo, and has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and Adobe.

In her online Domestika course, she teaches you how to create your own atmospheric illustrations from scratch, Atmospheric Painting in Procreate: From Concept to Color.

You might also be interested in:

1. Learn how to paint layered landscapes with a magical atmosphere using gouache paint: Painting Atmospheric Landscapes with Gouache.

2. Discover watercolor techniques to capture the atmosphere of natural landscapes: Atmospheric Landscapes in Watercolor.

3. Create powerful and dramatic portraits with charcoal: Artistic Charcoal Portraiture: Creating Atmosphere.