Are the illustrations double page spreads, single page images, collages, overlapping images, or portraits? 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 text of the picturebook is located
underneath most of the images in the book, separated by white space. Considering that this is a picturebook, the extra white spacing around images and text
make the text more accessible to the age ranges to which it is intended. The framing white spacing also allows more “space”
for the reader to interpret the text and images. The white space also allows for the natural
breaks between the four voices. If the
images and text would bleed, this would be indicative of a continuous
story/narration; the manner in which Browne segments the four voices is
enhanced by the white space and the way that the images are framed.
The illustrations are single-page images. In addition, the images change over the course of the book; they vary in size:
they get bigger, smaller and, at times, bleed.
This variation contributes to the tone of the book, allowing the reader
to visually focus on different elements as the four narratives progress. For example, when the focus of the text is
the unemployed man, the corresponding image is of him alone in a close-up;
however, when the focus is of his neighborhood, the image pulls back and allows
the reader to see the details of his world (e.g. the homeless man, the dirty
street, etc.).
Select an image from Voices In The Park to
consider:
What is fore-grounded and in the background? The foreground of the image is the two young children (the haughty woman’s son and the unemployed man’s daughter) sitting on a park bench and talking. In the background is an interesting mix of clouds, shadows, and barren trees (on the boy’s side) and sunny blue skies, leafy tress, and flowers (on the girl’s side). I find this mixture interesting, as they are on the same bench. I think that this background echos the attitude (home life) of each child.. the lonely boy comes in second to his mother’s beloved dog, and girl, although coming from a less-fortunate home, is happy and loved.
Consider the path your eyes follow as you approach the image. What catches your eye first? Why is that element salient? The first thing that catches my eye in the image is the divider in the middle of the image: the light post. This bold color stands out against the paler colors of the image, and it serves as a concrete delineation point between the two vastly different worlds of these two children.
What colors dominate the image? What effect does this have on you as reader? The dominating colors of the image are pale greens and browns. To me, this illustrates the expansive nature of the children’s world and how much of those worlds are shaped by their respective parents. It also indicates how neutral the world can be without the prejudices and judgments that grownups can contribute.
Consider the use of white (negative) space. Are the illustrations framed or full bleed? How does this position you as a viewer? There is much white space around the image and the text; the illustration is framed. For me, this indicates a definitive period in time, a crystallized moment that can change everything going forward (in this case: a breaking of social barriers).
What is the reality value or level of abstraction? Are the images life-like or stick figures? The images are more life-like than abstract; they have a level of reality to them (despite the characters being gorillas). The details of the images are very realistic: the clothing details, the depiction of the park elements – the bench, the texture of the walkways, the details of the characters’ homes). All contribute to a high level of reality.
Are there any recurring patterns in the images? There are several thing that seem to be recurring in the images: grass/outside/open spaces dominate most of the images; in addition, there are shadows in almost every image as well (even the ones indoors). I equate these shadows as all of the influences that shape our attitudes and beliefs of things… the social mores and ideas that follow us around, whether we agree with them or not, hanging over us and coloring our world.
Are there any anomalous elements? Things that stick out, or seem out of place? Are these important to consider? The only thing that really sticks out to me is the fact the characters are monkeys/gorillas. The significance of this, in my opinion, is that the neutrality of the monkeys allow any reader to see themselves in the story (rather than pigeon-holing a certain type of person into the story).
What is the artist trying to get you to look at through leading lines, colors, contrast, gestures, lighting? I think that the artist wants us to see the different characteristics of the speakers in the story as well as their feelings during their own narratives. For example, when the mother is angry that her dog is being sniffed by Smudge’s dog, the mother’s hat flies off of her head. Another example of this is when the boy is presenting his narrative: his world is full of dark clouds and shadows; he is lonely and depressed. In the same situation (at the park) from the little girl’s perspective, the images contain light and green grass; she is jovial and light-hearted. Different illustration elements portray the same situations with different emotions of the characters.
Consider the style or artistic choices? Are the appropriate, and how do they add to the meanings of the picturebook? The artistic choices of the book contribute to the whimsy of the book; the idea the monkeys/gorillas are acting like “real” people is amusing while contributing to the message of the story. The images lead to the reader wanting to turn the page to see what these characters will do in their individual stories. The facial expressions of the characters reflect the meaning of the text.
How are the images framed? Are there thick borders or faded edges? The images are framed with white (with the exception of the few that bleed). The images, when related to the well-to-do woman and her son, have clear, clean lines; when the images relate to the unemployed man and his daughter, the edges are ragged and worn. These borders emphasize the related individuals stations in life.
Consider the setting of the story. How is this realized in the images? Realistically? Metaphorically? The setting is realized in the images; the realistic setting of the images (the park, apartment, house, etc.)
Consider size and scale. What is large? Why are certain elements larger than others? Does this add to meanings of power, control? The images of the haughty woman seem larger than most; to me, this connotes her portrayal to desire control, power, and to maintain her position of being above others. Compared to the images of the man, boy, and girl, the woman is quite large. I think that this reinforces her self-importance and of how she feels more important than everyone else.
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 do not directly address the viewer; however, they do (for the most part) address each other. Aside from the woman, the characters connect with each other: the boy and the girl; the girl and the man… the woman stays, literally, disconnected from everyone; she even stays at a distance from her own son. I think that this distance reinforces her disconnect from society as a whole and her desire to stay at arm’s length from people. The man is more connected and shows more love to his child, and the boy desires that connection; he finds it with Sludge.. . if only for a few hours.
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