picturebook illustration styles

Children’s Literature

Objectives Identify the parts of a book and different types of

format & design

Differentiate the styles of illustrations found in

picturebooks

Analyze picturebooks in terms of illustration style

Parts of a Book Cover (front & back)

Spine

Jacket

Endpapers

Copyright page

Title Page

Format of Picturebooks

A picturebook conveys its message

through a series of images bound

together within 2 covers.

Impact of a picturebook lies in the

total format of the book

Different Formats/Design

Think of the format in terms of:

Book Size & Shape

Cover (front & back)

Jacket

Endpapers

Copyright page

Styles of Illustrations

Style

• Artistic properties

associated with

the eras in art

history

• “Manner of

expressing”

• Primary decision of

the artists how to

create visual images

that will harmonize or

enhance the meaning

of the text

Historical Eras in Art

Realism

Impressionism

Expressionism

Surrealism

Naïve/ Folk

Cartoon

Realism

Characteristics:

Represents subjects in a realistic manner

Subjects portrayed with detailed accuracy

Three-dimensional and proportional

Examples in History

Portrait of Juliette Courbet as a Sleeping Child

By Gustave Courbet

Examples in HistoryArrangement in Grey

and Black, No.2:

Portrait of Thomas

Carlyle

By James Abbott McNeill

Whistler

Examples in Children’s

Literature

“My Chinatown” by Kam Mak

ImpressionismCharacteristics:

• Artist’s impression of the subject

• Large brushstrokes, lots of color and reflections

• Not concerned with precise details

• Shows effects of light on the subject

• Colors are often blended by the viewer’s eyes

Examples in History

La Promenade

Claude Monet

A Girl with a Watering Can

Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Examples in History

Maison et arbres

Paul Cezanne

“Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present” by Charlotte Zolotow

Characteristics:

Emphasis on artist’s own emotions and self-

expression

Subjects often distorted or out of proportion

Uses unusual or shocking colors

Uses rough rapid brushstrokes

Expressionism

Examples in History

The Starry Night

Vincent van Gogh

Examples in HistorySelf-Portrait with

Burning Cigarette

Edvard Munch

Examples in Children’s

Literature

“When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry…”

by Molly Bang

“Chato’s Kitchen” by Gary Soto

SurrealismCharacteristics:

Appears dreamlike and fantastical

Imaginative details and bizarre images

Emphasis on positive expression of the

subconscious

Examples in History

The Ship

Salvador Dali

Time Transfixed

Rene Magritte

Examples in Children’s

Literature

“Jumanji” by Chris Van Allsburg

“Tuesday” by David Weisner

Naïve Art or Folk ArtCharacteristics:

Represents folk cultures from parts of the world

Techniques handed down through generations

Includes simplified lines, color and space

Examples in History

Autumn

Grandma Moses

Examples in Children’s

Literature

“Strega Nona” by Tomie

dePaola

Cartoon Art

Characteristics:

Playful distortion of subjects

Gross exaggerations

Simple lined drawings or flat painting

Examples in History

Auugghhh!!

Charles M. Schulz

Examples in Children’s

Literatrure

“The Mysterious Tadpole” by

Steven Kellogg