Chapter 2 explores the idea of icons and how things in comics are merely representations of the real thing, they are not actually the thing itself. Through many examples he defines icons as "an image to represent a person, place, thing or idea" (pg 27 Understanding comics- The invisible art by Scott McCloud) he discusses the power of images to represent certain things and how this can be used as a visual tool of communication through design.
He also describes how comics are not representations of real life, but rather are just simple representations. The drawings aren't detailed because they don't have to be. Any person can see the representations and accept them for what they are representing with much detail. This is the same with the anime that we studied in the lecture. All the lines are very simple and there isn't a large amount of detail put into the drawings as they need to be quick and cheap to make.
And yet, even though some of these cartoons hardly look like any normal human being, we still accept them for what the are meant to be. He also describes facial expressions and how a simple stroke of a pen can turn someone angry or happy. It is from our previous experiences of sub-consciously studying other’s faces that we understand the emotions the animator is trying to create. McCloud highlights the importance of symbols and how they reflect the way we understand or read a certain picture.
Different representations of a girl:
Scott also describes how “backgrounds tend to be slightly more realistic” than the character itself. The character is repeated so many times throughout the comic book or the cartoon that the audience have already identified what they are so the character doesn’t need any more detail. McCloud explains that “this combination allows readers to mask themselves in a character and safely enter a sensually stimulating world.” McCloud relates this technique to animations such as Disney where this certain technique is a “practical necessity.” In class we studied Disney’s “The Lion King” and I can understand exactly what McCloud means. The characters all have very simple lines and detail, whereas I could be fooled that the background is actually a picture it is so realistic and detailed.
And yet, even though some of these cartoons hardly look like any normal human being, we still accept them for what the are meant to be. He also describes facial expressions and how a simple stroke of a pen can turn someone angry or happy. It is from our previous experiences of sub-consciously studying other’s faces that we understand the emotions the animator is trying to create. McCloud highlights the importance of symbols and how they reflect the way we understand or read a certain picture.
Different representations of a girl:
Scott also describes how “backgrounds tend to be slightly more realistic” than the character itself. The character is repeated so many times throughout the comic book or the cartoon that the audience have already identified what they are so the character doesn’t need any more detail. McCloud explains that “this combination allows readers to mask themselves in a character and safely enter a sensually stimulating world.” McCloud relates this technique to animations such as Disney where this certain technique is a “practical necessity.” In class we studied Disney’s “The Lion King” and I can understand exactly what McCloud means. The characters all have very simple lines and detail, whereas I could be fooled that the background is actually a picture it is so realistic and detailed.
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