Week #6 Analyzing Visual Images and Design in Picturebooks

Analysis of Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne

Begin by considering the format of the images and their placement in the picturebook

Where is the text located? Within the image? Separated by borders or white space, Why? Are the illustrations double page spreads, single page images, collages, overlapping images, or portraits?

The text is located in the white space away from the pictures.  There are borders of white space around the text.  This allows the reader to focus on the text and read the black and white easily.  This would appeal to an early reader or even a younger child to whom it is being read.    The illustrations are on single page spreads and large enough for details to be visualized.  They are colorful images that attract attention to the detail so the story can unfold as each of the narrators describes his/her time in the park.

Consider the series of images in the picturebook. Do the images change over the course of the book? Do they get bigger, smaller, change?

The images throughout the book span the largest portion of the page if not the entire page. However there are several instances where the image is smaller and then expands on the page.  The variety of picture/illustration size makes reading of the story by the four narrators take on a different feel and allows the variety to make reading more interesting and entertaining.

 Select an image from Voices In The Park to consider. Use the following questions to guide your analysis.  Take a Screen Shot of the Image and embed the image in your blog. 

What is fore-grounded and in the background?

The foreground is jobless man and his daughter arriving in the park to walk their dog.  The background is the beautiful park with vivid color and sunshine, trees and bushes in full bloom and a well-manicured lawn in the park.

Consider the path your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye first? Why is that element salient?

As I first take a glance at the picture I am drawn to the image of the people and the dog walking from “darkness” to “light” as they enter the park.

This is the first place my eyes go when looking at the picture and I believe it is because of the bright colors used in the daughter Smudge’s jacket.

What colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader?

The vivid colors of objects in the park dominate in the picture.  As the reader it is evident that the park is a wonderful place to visit full of life and beauty.  The appearance of the park is inviting to the reader as the story progresses.

Consider the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed? How does this position you as a viewer?

The images have crisp borders surrounded by white space.  It is perceived as a picture looking into the park and the adventure that awaits the jobless father and his daughter as they walk their dog.

What is the reality value or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick figures?

These images are life-like in nature.  The trees and shrubs are relatively appropriate size to the people in the picture.  The people, the father and his daughter as well as their dog are full life-like figures and not stick figures.

Are there any recurring patterns in the images?

No, there are no recurring patterns in the image.

Are there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are these important to consider?

The gates of entry to the park seem to be large and out of place.  They also hide a feeling of darkness and gloom.  These gates or wall may symbolize the trapped feeling that the man feels as he realizes he has no job or way to support his family.

What is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors, contrast, gestures, lighting?

I believe the artist would like to you to look at the colors as they appear in the image. There is boldness of color and clarity of the images in the park.  Once again it is an inviting place, free from stress and problems of the man’s jobless situation.  The light that shines in the image reveals a welcoming atmosphere one that will reveal happiness and peace despite the trials of life they are experiencing.

Are there any recurring symbols or motifs in the images?

The life of the park and its beauty are recurring in the image.

Consider the style or artistic choices? Are the appropriate, and how do they add to the meaning of the picturebook?

The artistic choices of color and illusion give great meaning to the picturebook.  There are several distinct themes used throughout to show the four narrators perspectives. For example, the young boy Charles is lonely and wants to find a friend.  He ventures into the park with his mother for her to walk her prized dog, Victoria.  When he sits on the park bench with Smudge there is a distinct shadow over his side of the image and brightness and full color on Smudge’s side of the image.  She is encouraged by her father venturing to the park despite their downtrodden situation of not having a job to support his family.  She is adventurous and invites Charles to play.  Charles watches as his family dog and Smudge’s family dog frolic and play like old friends. Once again, Charles longs for a friend and finds one in Smudge.

How are the images framed? Are there thick borders or faded edges?

Most of the images are framed with white space around them.  There are a few that fade or bleed around the borders.  Many of the images surrounding the narrations by the affluent and even snobbish mother and her son are crisp and clean with bright vivid color.  The images with the jobless father are dull and gloomy.  Much of this color scheme and image border lines show evidence of his or her life situations and set the stage for each narrator’s perspective.

Consider the setting of the story. How is this realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically?

The setting of the story is vivid to readers because the images are reality to the reader.  For example, the park is a place of beauty and safety just as the homes reference the life situations that in which each of the narrators live.  This element gives the reader a “realistic” setting and a vivid understanding of how each person sees his or her life and faces the challenges each day. Metaphorically, these images portray the life situation and social status of each of the individuals that take turns narrating the story.

Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control?

Many of the images are normal size and scale throughout this piece. However some images seem rather large compared to the others in the same picture.  For example the cover of the book shows the trees that line the walkway to the park are extremely large compared to the small images of the people at the end of the walk.  This gives meaning to the security and covering the park gives to its visitors.  There are other images of the snobbish affluent woman when she hollers for her dog Victoria to come after being let of the leash and chasing the other dog.  She seems angry and very controlling as well when Charles is having a great time with Smudge.  It is evident to her of the girl’s lower class status and doesn’t want her young son to associate with her.

Consider the viewers point of view. Do characters directly gaze or address the viewer? Are the characters close up or distanced? How does point of view add to relationships with the characters?

The characters in the book do not address the reader but interact with each other and their surrounding.  The characters are close up to the reader so we can see their expressions and detail of each of them.  The boy Charles and young girl Smudge address each other and interact and play just as the two family dogs do in the park.  The man and his daughter must have a wonderful loving relationship despite their circumstances in life.  Even in the image I selected you see the father and his daughter holding hands as they venture into the park with their dog.  The affluent and snobbish woman remains separated from most of the characters and I believe it is because she feels “too good” to associate with the commoner or lower class person in the park.  Therefore she is adamant that Charles leaves at once after finding his new friend Smudge.