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Lighthouse Symbolism
The lighthouse is a multivalent, paradoxical symbol which can come in very handy when crafting stories and connecting to theme.
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Fish Tank Film Study
When it comes to storytelling, certain themes are easy to get wrong. Attempts at subversion can end up reinforcing a culturally dominant message. Specifically, attempts to show the sexual vulnerability of teenage girls can tip into objectification in the wrong hands, or sometimes mostly by the people in charge of the marketing materials. When Netflix…
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Writing Activity: Describe a Gallery or Museum
In any giant museum, your goal should be to spend 5+ minutes with 10 amazing works, not 5 seconds with 1,000. Less Wrong Header painting: Leroux Jules Marie Auguste (1871-1954) At The Cluny Museum
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Two Worlds In The Same Illustration
These illustrations show two or more separate environments in a single shot.
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Buses In Art and Storytelling
Miss Harper was going home, although the night was wet and nasty. Miss Harper disliked traveling at any time, and she particularly disliked traveling on this dirty small bus, which was her only way of getting home; she had frequently complained to the bus company about their service, because it seemed that no matter where…
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Domestic Abuse Addressed In Children’s Books
If you’re looking for children’s book which deal with domestic abuse, there are many examples at all reading levels across various genres. While young adult authors are well-known for their willingness to confront difficult subject matter head on, readers can also find domestic abuse addressed in picture books.
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Homelessness In Children’s Stories
Home-away-home. That’s the classic pattern of a children’s story. When we’re talking about stories in general, we might say the Odyssean Mythic pattern. A hero goes on a journey, meets a variety of opponents and allies along the way, then either returns home or finds a new one. Unfortunately, not all young people have a…
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A Sheltered Woman by Yiyun Li Short Story Analysis
“A Sheltered Woman” is a short story by Chinese-American writer Yiyun Li, and a subversion on the trope of the domestic suspense story. In a subcategory of these stories, an unstable woman enters the family home and threatens the family unit.
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Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg Picture Book Analysis
“Queen of the Falls” is a picture book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. Some years ago, Van Allsburg gave a TED talk on this book and the history behind it. This post will focus on the storytelling techniques.
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Two Weeks With The Queen by Morris Gleitzman Novel Study
Two Weeks With The Queen is an Australian middle grade novel by Morris Gleitzman. My edition is copyrighted 1989, though other places on the web will tell you this book was first published in 1990 or 1991.
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Tips For Using Alcohol Markers
Alcohol markers dry quickly, blend smoothly and are slightly transparent, so are used by professional artists, crafters and hobby sketchers alike. Unlike the water based markers typically used by children, alcohol markers do have a bit of a stink.
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Utilising The Foreground of Illustrations
One way to add depth to an illustration: Plonk something big and interesting into the foreground. Extend the picture as far back as the situation allows, all the way back to the hills, with detail in the middle distance. Utilise aerial perspective. This illustration of a sleeping cat is a perfect example:
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Long Shots Of Tall Buildings With Many Windows
What are the tropes associated with windows, specifically the windows of tall buildings in the distance? They feel multivalent to me — windows can be cosy and sinister: cosy because they remind us that we are surrounded by people, and ominous because, well, they remind us we’re surrounded by people.
