Picture This: How Pictures Workrevised and Expanded 25th Anniversary Edition

Molly Bang's brilliant, insightful, and accessible treatise, revised and expanded for its 25th anniversary, that helps provide clarity to the timeless question "what is art?"

"A revised and expanded 25th-anniversary edition of Bang's go-to text about visual perception, or 'how pictures work, ' delivers sublime design and picture-book-art commentary for readers and artists alike."--Kirkus Reviews

First published in 1991, Picture This has changed the way artists, illustrators, reviewers, critics, and readers look at and understand art.

In this revised and expanded edition, Bang's powerful ideas remain unparalleled in their simplicity and genius. Her thought-provoking text, brilliantly illustrated by step-by-step cut-paper illustrations of scenes from Little Red Riding Hood, includes thoughts about how the visual composition of images works to engage the emotions, and how the elements of an artwork can give it the power to tell a story.

Bang asks the right questions to get your wheels turning--Why are diagonals dramatic? Why are curves calming? Why does red feel hot and blue feel cold?--while the illustrations and thoughtful designs bring the words to life.

EXPLORE 12 PRINCIPLES OF VISUAL PERCEPTION: By experimenting with basic art elements (color, placement, size, shape, and space), Bang's unique and insightful work encourages you to answer one question: "How does the structure of a picture--or any visual art form--affect our emotional response?"

FOR ART STUDENTS & CREATIVES OF ALL AGES: Written in an accessible and engaging style, Picture This has opened a window of understanding for generations of artists. Her simple, powerful principles apply to painting, photography, graphic design, animation, and illustration of all kinds.

AN ART BOOK LIKE NO OTHER: Beyond a how-to guide or art reference book, Picture This has been called a "must-have book for anyone wanting to learn or teach about art elements and principles" (Kirkus Reviews). It makes an imaginative and inspiring gift for any artist or loved one who is interested in design.

Perfect for:

• Artists, educators, and readers curious about the psychology of perception, emotion, and art
• Gift giving for aspiring and experienced artists of all ages for birthday, holiday, art school acceptance, or graduation
• Fans of Molly Bang and her award-winning work, including her Caldecott Honor children's books When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry; Ten, Nine, Eight; and The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher
• Adding to a collection of art theory, design, or art history books

Author: Molly Bang
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 08/16/2016
Pages: 152
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.30lbs
Size: 9.40h x 9.80w x 0.60d
ISBN: 9781452151991


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 10/01/2016 pg. 142
Shelf Awareness 11/22/2016

About the Author
Molly Bang has authored and illustrated more than three dozen books and has won three Caldecott Honors, a Kate Greenaway Honor, and a Charlotte Zolotow Award, among other accolades, in her long career as a writer and artist.