Use of Color in Illustrated Books by Xiong Liang: an Artistic and Pedagogical Analysis

The article explores the use of color in illustrated books by Chinese artist and author Xiong Liang from the perspectives of artistic analysis and pedagogical potential. Color is viewed as an active participant in visual storytelling, capable of creating an emotional atmosphere, emphasizing semantic accents, and enhancing the interaction between text and image. The study analyzes key aspects such as overall color tonality, means of expressiveness, color combinations, and their emotional impact on the reader. Illustrations in Xiong Liang’s books serve not only an aesthetic but also an educational function, fostering in children the skills of visual interpretation, emotional responsiveness, and cultural perception of images. In the artist’s work, color is examined within the framework of traditional Chinese philosophy, where each shade carries symbolic meaning and reflects the particularities of perceiving the world. The color palette becomes not merely decorative but a tool of visual thinking through which the author conveys meanings, moods, and cultural codes. The material for analysis consists of a series of original books distinguished by a high level of artistic execution and profound conceptual content. Special attention is given to how color helps children recognize characters’ emotional states, comprehend narrative shifts, and develop a personal connection to the storyline. The study also considers the interrelation between visual and cognitive mechanisms of perception that contribute to the integrated experience of understanding an artistic text. This research may be valuable for specialists in visual pedagogy, primary school teachers, methodologists, as well as those interested in integrating artistic tools into educational practice and fostering visual thinking in children. The material is addressed to educators engaged in visual development, children’s book illustrators, teachers of Chinese language and culture, as well as students and researchers working in the fields of children’s literature, art education, and cross-cultural communication.