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

This is the best book on understanding picture structure I have ever seen. Good for all ages!

I was so relieved when I saw this newer addition. What a great must-have reference.

This is a wonderful design book. 10 stars for the simple explanations, the accompanying illustrations really help with understanding the concepts. This is the kind of book I'll buy copies of as gifts, but not lend out my own copy. I'm going through art school and can definitely see myself reading this book over and over again to continually remind myself of these core principles. I took off 1 star because the copy I got was dirty (crusty stuff on the back cover and dusty smears on some of the pages), there's a small tear in the front cover, and the binding was poorly glued. Not sure if it was a return or if it was just poorly handled in storage. Either way I was disappointed in the overall condition of this otherwise beautiful book. I'm considering returning it for a fresh copy and if so will update this review.

This book was introduced to me by a children's book illustration teacher, and I've purchased several copies now, for myself and for others. Molly Bang really demonstrates her craft in this book, with bright visuals to help you see why, exactly, different compositions work- told through the story of Little Red Riding Hood. What difference does the color red make, in the composition? Would purple have worked quite as well, visually? How big does the wolf have to be when we first see him, to look sufficiently scary? All questions that I didn't realize I should be asking, and the answers shown to me in- forgive me- black and white. (and red, in some cases) I'd buy it again. And probably will, given my tendency both to give people books as gifts, and to lose things.

Do you want to understand the language of art? This is a straight forward, very pleasant read. You learn or refresh your learning about what makes for strong design in art and the multiple decision points every artist faces as a painting develops. All of this is explained in thorough and very well illustrated way. Bravo to the author!

The book is not bad and I can see the added value when it's in a physical form. It brings nothing new in its field, it's very short. The book doesn't go into great depth in any discipline it touches. It's a fun, entertaining and short read that can be illuminating for any reader that's new to the subject.

If you like making things, especially making pictures, this book by the marvelous Molly Bang will help you look at shapes and colors and placement in a clear and powerful way. It encourages you to experiment too, and all you need is construction paper and scissors. An excellent book for artists and storytellers, and for people trying to cope with strong emotion.

Breaks down a lot of the principles of effective imagery in a fantastic way! Read it for an art class and it really improved my compositions and shape language

The book after taking it out of the package is dirty and torn, it looks like someone used it for a looooong time before me... a disaster

El libro vino en perfectas condiciones.

GREAT book especially for teaching arts concepts to teens

Une façon de voir la composition autrement, en image. D'une simplicité fascinante. Dommage qu'il ne soit pas en français. Bon format, qualité du livre au delà de mes attentes. Cette édition est exceptionnelle.

I bought it a while ago and I love cooking at this book once in a while, also great when teaching private art lessons to students as it talks about composition in simplistic way that is easy to understand.