PICTURE BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS

Works of Art in Color

A look at Paul O. Zelinsky’s Rapunzel

Let’s think about colors

Colors can convey a feeling or emotion in illustrations and in the world around us.

For instance, how do you think these colors make you feel?

RedTell me some things that you

know are usually red.

This is one of the objects a lot of people think of when they think of red.

Why do you think stop sign are red?

To catch a drivers attention To warn the driver

Red can also convey an emotion or feeling. Can you tell me how red makes you feel?

Angry?

Red

In Love? Passionate? Hungry? Spicy?

Many other emotions can be conveyed with red. Thank you for all the answers you shared. Now let’s move on to another color.

BlueWhat are some things

that are usually blue?

Maybe you thought of the sky?When the sky is blue how is the

weather? Calm pleasant

How does blue make you feel?

Relaxed?

Blue

Sleepy? Calm? Cool? Refreshed?

Let’s think about one more color .

YellowName some things

that are yellow.

The sun is yellow. What are some descriptive words about the sun.

Bright Glowing

What emotions are conveyed by the color yellow?

Happiness?

Yellow

Vibrant? Lively? Excited? Energetic?

These are just three of the many colors we can see. Colors all convey feelings. Can you tell me another color and what emotion you think it could convey? Now that we have thought about colors and their meanings; lets get started reading the book.

What does color tell us?

As we begin, our reading of Rapunzel by Paul O. Zelinskey I want you to think about the colors he uses.

Remember that an illustrator can use any colors he wishes in his drawing but chooses specific ones to help tell the story.

WHAT IS HE TRYING TO CONVEY WITH

COLOR?

Rapunzel

As I am reading I will stop on certain pages to discuss the use of color. I’m going to prompt your thinking as we go, so get ready to enjoy.

Let’s start with the title page: Does Zelinsky use bright are muted colors in his drawings?

Muted….Why? Perhaps to convey a sense of realism What are your ideas?

Rapunzel

Let’s stop on the first picture of the sorceress.

What color choose do you see here? Why is the sorceress dressed in dark

colors? Do you think the contrast between the

dark sorceress and the brightly dressed husband has any meaning?

Tell me more of what you think?

Rapunzel

Now lets look at the illustration of Rapunzel playing as a child.

What do you see? Why do you think Zelinsky drew Rapunzel

with red hair? Maybe to show her vibrancy and youth. The color of the sky, does it convey and

emotion?

Rapunzel

Lets look at the picture of the sorceress and Rapunzel inside the tower, as she cuts off her hair.

Why do you think the sorceress is wearing red or orange?

Do you think it conveys her anger? What does the gray color in the sky

indicate?

Rapunzel

Let’s look at the last picture, of the family.

What do you think the deeply colored clothes represent?

Prosperity? There is a lot of green in this picture, why

do you think the illustrator did this? Perhaps to convey a sense of “new

growth” and a fruitful life?

Wrapping it up

Rapunzel is a beautifully illustrated book with many different artistic elements. Today we only explored one…color.

I hope that as you read picture books you will think about the use of color to convey meaning.

Your assignment

Think about your favorite color. Draw at least three objects that are

usually that color. Write about the emotions, feelings or

ideas that can be conveyed with your favorite color.