Trick images

Woodblock print, Japan, c.1830

Woodblock print, Japan, c.1830

This image comes from a book called The Playful Eye by Julian Rothenstein and Mel Gooding, which is comprised of all sorts of fun pictures like this one.  As you can see, I've posted the same image twice in 180°  difference.  I'm impressed with these types of trick images, because it takes a lot of skill to design an image that speaks to people differently based on its rotation.  Everything within the drawing must serve two different functions.  I believe practicing this style of drawing would strengthen an illustrator's ability to animate faces and draw caricatures.  There are also many good profile drawings within this piece, which may be inspirational for creating silhouettes.  I'm amazed that this was created in the 1800s!

As a whole, this design is unified through style.  The many characters are all drawn in a similar manner, with emphasis placed on hair, eyebrows, and mouths.  Color also helps bring this design together.  The background is a nice earthy tone, and I particularly appreciate how the blue is used for four faces, creating a nice visual path.  I have no idea what the text says, but visually, it looks really nice.  I would describe this illustration as playful, innovative, and witty.