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118th out of 130 books
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28 voters
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Picture This How Pictures Work
by
Molly Bang
Everyone knows that a picture tells a thousand words. But what about the elements that make up a picture? Using the tale of Little Red Riding Hood as an example, Molly Bang uses boldly graphic artwork to explain how images--and their individual components--work to tell a story that engages the emotions: Why are diagonals dramatic? Why are curves calming? Why does red feel ...more
Paperback, 96 pages
Published
July 1st 2000
by SeaStar
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I discovered this book on Penelope Trunk's website. I don't usually go for books like this and almost didn't read it before returning it to the library. But I am sure glad I did. And be sure to read the whole thing (i.e. the introduction) it explains it all.
This was such a fascinating book and you will never look at art, pictures, etc. the same. I inhaled this book. I wish I could renew it to be able to read it again and again and refer back to it. It's that amazing.
...more
This was such a fascinating book and you will never look at art, pictures, etc. the same. I inhaled this book. I wish I could renew it to be able to read it again and again and refer back to it. It's that amazing.
...more
In this deceptively simple book, Molly Bang uses basic geometric shapes to show how pictures work: how simple principles of design can shape emotions and tell a story. Using cutout shapes to explain abstract statements such as "smooth, flat, horizontal shapes give us a sense of stability and calm" or "diagonal shapes are dynamic because they imply motion or tension," Ms. Bang walks the reader through the psychology of a picture. She shows how Little Red Riding Hood can be il...more
Through the story of Little Red Riding Hood Molly Bang shows how different arrangements of shapes and colors on a page can be used to help build powerful, emotionally charged visual statements. This book helps answer questions like, why does a triangle make us feel stable, while diagonal lines make us tense? How can the arrangement and size of shapes be used to create a sense of depth? How do certain colors or color combinations change the way we react to an image? How do the compositional choi...more
This is a great book that shows you how pictures in stories create different moods. It is a quick read and and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
"Picture This" is that rare book that actually presents principles of pictorial composition in an understandable, common-sense way. Molly Bang provides basic examples that demonstrate the connection between the emotional effects of a two-dimensional representation and our experiences with the three-dimensional world. She also offers interesting speculation on the relationship between these perceptual experiences and our concepts, by offering examples of how these visual effects are ref...more
This book was really helpful in helping me to understand abstract art, in particular via the Little Red Riding Hood "triangle." It also talks about general concepts of color, line, and space. I liked the step by step process of brief text on the left and a corresponding, abstract picture on the right. I did not try the exercises suggested at the end of the book, but I think it would be useful to try in a group setting, with adults or with children. I would like to re-read this book.
How does composition of a picture affect the viewer? Molly Bang's study of color, shape, position, etc., using the story of Little Red Riding Hood as the subject worked for me. What I mean by that is that it made me look at painting, photos and other graphic material with some new insights as to what the artist was trying to convey or why the work affected me the way it did.
I believe it will also make me a better photographer as I, more consciously, employ some of her insights.
I believe it will also make me a better photographer as I, more consciously, employ some of her insights.
(17.5.05) I was looking for a book for my budding young artist, and consequently discovered that I had much to learn as well. This book is so simply written that it can be easily understood by an 8-yr old...it's the 38-yr old that learned basic principles of artistic manipulation which had previously eluded me. Color and placement are necessary for motion and depth in a work. Now I understand why.
Emily K
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
teachers, art lovers, people who read picture books, literature students focusing in children's lit
Shelves:
theory
This was fantastic. Even though I minored in art history, this book gave me a completely new perspective on pictures! I even did one of the exercises in the back and it was great. People were really able to catch the emotion behind what I did even though I used only organic shapes.
Definitely worth a read if you enjoy picture books or if you enjoy looking at art in general.
Definitely worth a read if you enjoy picture books or if you enjoy looking at art in general.
One of my all-time favorite books. Based on workshops Bang did with children, this book boils down pictures to their basic parts. Very accessible and interesting for adults to read and then use with kids. Some kids may be interested in reading it as well. I've used this with adult children's literature classes and it helps teach these concepts in a short time.
We read this in my "Art of the Picture Book" class. I thought it was okay, but some of my feelings for the book were colored by the fact that I ended up paying full price for a brand new hardback copy and we only used it for one class time. If I could have checked the book out from the library for free, I probably would have loved it! :)
This book is genius. It takes awhile to get into it, and to get used to its format and style, but once you do, it makes you understand complicated concepts of human psychology and how imagery works with our expectations and understanding of the world. Really interesting. Also, any book that makes me less scared of doing art is good.
This was required reading in a Visual Communication course. The objective is to show how simple lines, shapes, and colors can powerfully impact a presentation. Bang uses these basic elements to visually create "Little Red Riding Hood", proving less is ALWAYS more. If you are a presenter AT ALL, add this book to your library!
Brilliant book that made me understand why lines, shapes, and colors have different meanings. Not surprising because of the award winning illustrator, but the illustrations are excellent. If I ever teach a class where students need to learn about images, graphics, or layouts, I would assign this as a text.
This simple book easily explains design in a few pages what years of college art classes did not.
A simple, straight forward explination of how simple shapes, colors and composition can create an assortment of thoughts, emotions and associations for the viewer.
A simple, straight forward explination of how simple shapes, colors and composition can create an assortment of thoughts, emotions and associations for the viewer.
I want to sit down now with a bunch of picture books and look at them while thinking about Molly Bang's principles! I also want to get out my paper and scissors and do some of the exercises she describes. This is essential reading!
This is a nice beginning book for people who want to learn a bit about composition. It's a bit simplistic, but illustrates the principles nicely. And the principles are accurate. Also, the text is clear and mistake free.
The concepts in this book are extraordinarily valuable, and I'm using this in a few classes this semester. It's crazy to see how a slight change in shape can change the entire meaning of a picture.
this simple little book is possibly the best book about graphic design and visual composition I've ever read, and I was a graphic design major in college.
This is an excellent introduction to abstract art and basic symbolism. Art works on the mind in ways most people aren't even conscious of.
Rosie
added it
I don't know what to rate this, mainly because the concepts are so basic. They are explained pretty well, but not in depth at all.
I knew that color and shape influenced viewers greatly but it's one thing to know, and another to see it proven in the pages of this book.
this is a good book to make you think outside the box, see things a different way. but im not artsy so i didnt enjoy it too much.
Interesting break down of how we 'see' illustrations and what they emote
Perfect for teaching anyone about how a picture speaks and how they can make it speak the way they want to when creating it. It is great if you are not much of an artist but would love to express your ideas clearly. Bang shows you all the techniques and reasons why those particular moves make a picture mean more. Check it out! It's a quick read as well.
this book is simple, but jam-packed full of things to think about.
This books helps to show a child how the illustrator and author work together to make the pictures go along with the words. The illustrator can produce images to show a contrast, likeness, and more subtle tones. A good book for understanding how pictures really work.
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: 2000
Audience: young readers 5-10
specific use: shared reading
social issues: how pictures represent meaning in the books.
literacy elements: imagery
...more
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: 2000
Audience: young readers 5-10
specific use: shared reading
social issues: how pictures represent meaning in the books.
literacy elements: imagery
...more
Awesome tool for teaching!
A must have for anyone interested in reading and creating images.
Reading Level: Fluent
Topics & Themes: Explores how shapes, color, and composition makes us feel the way things look.
Literary Elements: Uses the story of Little Red Riding Hood to demonstrate how composition can affect the way a picture feels. For example, creating a wolf with a round eye or a more sinister triangle eye.
Text & Pictures: Uses the pictures to show her decisions about how to build a picture to affect the mood.
Topics & Themes: Explores how shapes, color, and composition makes us feel the way things look.
Literary Elements: Uses the story of Little Red Riding Hood to demonstrate how composition can affect the way a picture feels. For example, creating a wolf with a round eye or a more sinister triangle eye.
Text & Pictures: Uses the pictures to show her decisions about how to build a picture to affect the mood.
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