Adapted from getgraphic.org and readwritethink.org Mr. Carr & Miss Reagle ENG I Fall 2011
Layout a Graphic Novel Page Panel: A distinct segment of the comic, containing a combination of image and text in endless variety. Frame: The lines and borders that contain the panels. Gutter: The space between framed panels. Bleed: An image that extends to and/or beyond the edge of the page. Foreground: The panel closest to the viewer. Midground: Allows centering of image by using natural resting place for vision. Background: Provides additional, subtextual information for the reader. Graphic weight: A term that describes the way some images draw the eye more than others, creating a definite focus using color and shading in various ways
Layout a Graphic Novel Page Foreground: The panel closest to the viewer. Midground: Allows centering of image by using natural resting place for vision. Background: Provides additional, subtextual information for the reader. Graphic weight: A term that describes the way some images draw the eye more than others, creating a definite focus using color and shading in various ways.
Figures Faces Hands/Feet Faces can be portrayed in different ways. Some depict an actual person, others can represent an idea or a group of people. Can be dramatic against a detailed background. Can be drawn without expression or detail to make the audience imagine character feeling. The positioning of hands and feet can be helpful in expressing what is happening in the story. Think about how you use your hands when you react to situations.
Text Captions: these are boxes containing a variety of text elements Speech balloons: These enclose dialogue and come from a specific speaker’s mouth. Special-effects lettering: this is a method of drawing attention to text with onomatopoeias and other figurative language.
How to Read a Graphic Novel Page Graphic novels are read left to right, top to bottom.
Dialog Balloons Dialog balloons are read left to right or top to bottom as is appropriate. 1 4 2 3 5
How would you read this?