My taste revolves around a balance of looseness and preciousness. The first illustrator who struck me with awe and jealousy was Bill Watterson followed quickly by Mike Mignola. I love that so much depth and character is captured with as few lines as possible.
The impressionism found in cartooning intensified by rigidity and austerity is what I seek for my own work. With that, I can tell any story in a style that can communicate all manners of emotion.
Quentin Blake
Mike Mignola
Serena Ci
Tom Hunter
Kyle Ferrin
Armand Bodnar
Bill Waterson