Library Item

March

1883

Caldecott's use of body positioning and colour help portray the unfortunate comedy that a windy March day might ensue. Each character tells a unique story with his or her body language and facial expressions. The contrast between the lightly sketched sepia background and the vibrant colour of the clothing illustrates Caldecott's view that 'the fewer the lines, the less error committed.' This ideal of spot-drawing is quite a departure from the more decorative approach and style of Caldecott's contemporaries Walter Crane and Kate Greenaway, whose illustrations lavishly filled up the entire page.