Features of picture books
Picture books combine visual and written elements to tell a story.
They make use of the following visual elements to create effect: We can see from this page from Diary of a wombat by Jackie French that the pictures give us more information so we can see the "flat, hairy creature" for ourselves. |
Visual elements of picture books
Colour
Illustrators will use colour to symbolise meaning. For example:
This page may help you decide what colours to use when designing your own picture book: Colour symbolism and culture If you're not familiar with Into the forest, have a look at the book here. |
Icons and symbols
These are images represented as signs, drawings, portraits, emblems, pictures or logos. They are used to make something easily recognisable and to portray something more than the original image. What is being used a symbol on this page from Cry, heart but never break by Glenn Ringtved? If you want to have a look at the whole book, click here. |
What do you think the crown symbolises in What do you do with an idea? by Kobi Yamada?
Size and position
The position of the visual elements effects the level of importance of the different aspects of the picture. This means that where you place your pictures and how big you make them compared to the other pictures will also help to convey meaning.
What does the size of the feather in the following illustration say about it's importance to the characters?
The position of the visual elements effects the level of importance of the different aspects of the picture. This means that where you place your pictures and how big you make them compared to the other pictures will also help to convey meaning.
What does the size of the feather in the following illustration say about it's importance to the characters?
Medium
This is how the images have been created. What has the artist used to create the picture?
This is how the images have been created. What has the artist used to create the picture?
Digital
Look up! by Nathan Bryon See the whole book here. Adeola, the illustrator used paper, pencil and a light box to work on his rough drafts of the illustrations. He then added the colour on his computer using the scanned draft images. The illustrations we see here are the finished coloured digital versions. |