The Art Take-Apart

[sequentialscott]

This is the first in a series of analyses of various illustrations. I want to look at the nuts and bolts of these pictures to see what makes them work. It's not enough to vaguely talk about "bold linework" or "lush textures"? Why is the linework bold? What do the lush textures accomplish?

So, to begin:

Comments

[dr_bibliovore]

Great analysis! I always learn so much from your analyses of images. Seeing how all the different elements contribute to a focus on the main figures is really interesting. Thanks!

[sequentialscott]

Thanks. I'll be doing more of these with an aim of about one a week. Even if no one reads them it makes me slow down and analyze what I'm looking at, so I'll learn more.

Next up is a painting by James Jean, a Fables cover. (Fables being a comic, if you're not familiar with it.)