As we’ve already mentioned in the first part of this article series, we’ll be examining the diversity of styles within the retro trend. There are numerous artists who choose this style and yet, as you can see in this collection, none resembles the other — each one manages to have a unique voice! The characteristic they all have in common, however, is the fact that they all prefer the simple lines and the robust and somewhat naïve style of the illustrations, as they used to be in the 50s-70s.
Most of them also choose to make the graphics look as authentically old as possible by using faded tones and adding grazes, grungy textures and crumpled, yellowish paper backgrounds. One cannot avoid having a vague, mixed-up reaction to this kind of graphics, which makes it so great to look at, in fact: there is a sort of nostalgic tinge inexplicably connected to elements that belong to the most contemporary reality! This contradiction is the reason why the visual effect of such an illustration is so vivid and impossible to shake off!
This could explain probably why this style is so popular nowadays. It makes you reconsider the present and, probably, adds a certain value and uniqueness to the daily ephemeral reality. You’ll surely enjoy this collection of highly original retro illustrations!
