This page will help you get more out of your Library resources for your assignments, projects and dissertations in Illustration.

Research independently

The resources listed here will help you to make a good start with your research.

Search for a wide range of sources including e-books, articles, reports and images.

Useful for getting a basic understanding of your topic.

  • Credo Reference

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Explore Credo for trusted reference sources like dictionaries - a great alternative to Wikipedia! 

    Watch these short videos to get started:

    1. Search tips
    2. Using the automated mind map

  • Oxford Art Online

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    A virtual reference resource relating to all aspects of the visual arts. It includes links to images and other useful features such as history of art timelines.

  • Oxford English Dictionary Online

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    The most trusted source about words in English, containing definitions, plus very detailed word histories.

You can find ebooks on Discovery, but you can search the full text of the books by using the individual services.

  • Bloomsbury Visual Arts

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    An ebook collection covering animation, game development, fashion & textiles, design & illustration, photography, architecture & interiors and more. Explore key topics as well as search and browse books.  Additional features include an interactive world map of architecture, time-line and images of key buildings and museum objects.

  • Ebook Central

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Access around 200,000 ebooks across all subject areas.

Searching beyond the basics

This section lists resources for specific purposes.

Find journal and magazine articles. These include up-to-date publications.

  • Art and Architecture Complete

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Use this resource to search for journal articles, e-books and images. All visual arts subjects are included. Links to the full text are provided, where available.

Find (mostly) non-current, full-text, journal and magazine articles.

  • Art and Architecture Archive

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Includes archival full text access to magazines including Architects' Journal (1929 - 2005), Architectural Review (1896 - 2005), Art Monthly (1976 - 2005), British Journal of Photography (1860 - 2005) and Eye: International Review of Graphic Design (1990 - 2005).

  • Art Index Retrospective

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    This database enables you to find out what articles have been published in journals between 1929 and 1984

  • JSTOR

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Provides access to more than 12 million journal articles, books, images, reports and primary sources in 75 disciplines.
    Watch this video for great tips.

  • Nexis Uni

    Full text articles from many news sources and trade journals both UK and international. Archives sometimes stretching back to the mid 1980s. For use in the UK only.

  • PressReader

    PressReader lets you access UK and international newspapers, plus a wide range of magazine content. Everything is full colour with archives varying in length depending on the publication.

    Login guidance

  • Zineopolis

    Fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Discover the University of Portsmouth's Art-Zines collection.

  • Statista: the portal for statistics

    Access to more than a million statistics from many different sources. Useful for finding industrial, economic and consumer market statistical trends.

Find more resources from the Visual Culture subject page.

  • Artstor

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    A database of almost 3 million images related to visual arts and culture. You can create, save and share groups of images and make presentations too. If you want to search for academic articles and images simultaneously, follow the link via the "J" JSTOR icon to the top left of the page.

  • Visible Body Suite

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Visible Body is a 3D human body reference and study tool. Explore general anatomy, functional units, cross sections, muscle attachments, bony landmarks, muscle actions and more.

    To access this resource:

    • You must register for an account either on campus using a university PC or the University wifi, or if off campus register using the VPN.
    • Sign up with your University email address.
    • Once registered you can use your account to login off campus.
    • You must login on campus or via VPN every 150 days to revalidate your account.

     

  • BoB: On demand TV and radio for education

    An archive of UK television and radio programmes from free to air channels (1998 onwards). For use in the UK only. Find some great tips about how to use BoB in these short videos.

  • Bodies in Motion

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    You can access the basic subscription which includes 400+ high resolution sequences of athletes, artists, and dancers taken from one, two or three camera angles. Perfect reference for gesture drawing, anatomy study, and animation.

    This resource is restricted to members of the University of Portsmouth

    You have two ways to access the login instructions:

    1. Contact the Library from any Library enquiry desk or by contacting us:

    2. Connect to the University VPN and use the link below:

    View restricted access information for resources

    To verify you are a University member, please use your university email account or include your student/staff number in your message. If calling, please have your student/staff card ready.

  • Kanopy

    A unique collections of films including award-winning documentaries, training films and theatrical releases on every topic imaginable. Content can be searched or browsed.

  • Rhino House

    Not fully searchable in EBSCO Discovery

    Provides access to thousands of animal and human motion clips.

    This resource is restricted to members of the University of Portsmouth

    You have two ways to access the login instructions:

    1. Contact the Library from any Library enquiry desk or by contacting us:

    2. Connect to the University VPN and use the link below:

    View restricted access information for resources

    To verify you are a University member, please use your university email account or include your student/staff number in your message. If calling, please have your student/staff card ready.

Outside in World: Children's Books in Translation

Map Library - Includes digital and printed maps

Rare Books - Includes some beautifully illustrated books, such as those from Unicorn Press