Chapter 2  - the Vocabulary of Comics

The Vocabulary of Comics introduced the ‘strange and wonderful world of the Icon!”  I did not realize my comic creations were icons.  In comics, the level of abstraction varies; it can be very abstract – like this face – or drawn so real they almost seem life-like. 

The chapter goes on to discuss “what is the secret of the ICON we call…the CARTOON? And why are we so involved?”  Part of the reason is it is a form of “amplification through simplification.”  The cartoon tends to strip down the message to it’s essential meaning.  This is what appeals to me as a comic artist.  I like zeroing in on what I am trying to relay and making it as powerful as possible.

It was interesting understanding comics from this chapter’s perspective.

Chapter 5..Living the Line.

Cartoons can make emotions and senses visible.  I never thought of it quite like that, but it is absolutely true.  The chapter renders tension, joy, serenity, pride, intimacy, madness and anxiety simply and effectively.  It also shows how loud, rank, cold, quiet, sour and warm can be relayed visually.  Comics can also relay motion through two simple pictures – a man with a hat on and a man holding the hat above his head.

Vincent Van Gogh’s art strayed from impressionist mainstream and chose to use a subjective approach.  His paintings are classified as expressionism utilizing honest expression of the turmoil within.  He would have been an excellent cartoonist today.