Scott McCloud's comic book Understanding Comics gives interesting insight into the world of comics. It starts out by developing an original definition for the word and genre of art comics is. Roughly defined as sequential art, comics can be seen all throughout history. He discusses images and words as icons and the different meanings they can convey, finding the balance between words and images, and the time spacing throughout panels. In the seventh chapter, McCloud lays out the six steps of artistic creation: Idea/Purpose, Form, Idiom, Structure, Craft, Surface. Not everyone realizes that there is so much to art than what is on the surface.
I liked reading about the different styles of comics that range from the east to the west. Japan has transformed old styles and created unique new ones that are exceptional. I enjoyed their use of the page as an additional aspect to their art. Also, McCloud's six step process of artistic creation was quite intriguing. It was true that most people follow this process backwards drawn into the trade by what they see on the surface of artist work that they admire. Overall I found it to be quite an enjoyable and informative read about comics.
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Julia,
ReplyDeleteGood report.
My one suggestion was that you reference page numbers when you cite certain sections like "sequential art (i.e. definition) and "the 6 steps of artistic creation." This way I can go back and re-read what you comment on. And YOU have page references for your notes for the future -- should you decide to include this book as part of your Colloquium book list.
Also, note the page numbers and types of ideas discussed concerning Japan and how manga transformed old styles and created unique new ones.
Glad you enjoyed the book.
So, try to do this in the future for the other comics you read. And, for the UNDERSTANDING COMICS vocabulary assignment for February 2nd.
Cynthia