When looking at the pictures in story books what do we SEE? What meanings and attached to the illustrations?

1. Objects: people, animals, things, shapes. These can also be used as symbols e.g. a lion is an animal but also sybolises bravery.

2. Size is important to show the main object of interest or relationships between important and less important objects.

3. Position of objects: Objects in the foreground or in the centre are usually the main centres of interest.

4. Settings have significance, e.g. in "Nighty Night" the setting is tranquil farm life.

5. Colour: dark or sombre colours denote gloom whereas bright colours are uplifting.

6. Direction: In what direction are the objects facing? Towards the viewer, looking past the viewer or towards another object in the picture. How is the viewer involved in the scene?

7. Angle: Pictures that make the viewer feel they are looking up at objects give them a dominant position whilst low angles denote submissive or less important objects.

8. Light: Soft back-lighting creating a halo effect can suggest innocence; side lighting indicates time of   day; harsh lighting can denote heat and and cool lighting tranquility.

9. Body language: posture, gesture, facial expression all give clues to what the characters are feeling.

10. Clothing and accessories are a reflection of personality and can also symbolise period, culture and status e.g. royalty wear crowns.

 
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