Cattle In Books

Have you ever noticed or when you think back to your childhood to all the picture books your parents would read to you and then you would eventually read by yourself, that whenever there was a picture of a cow it was always a Hereford or a Holstein.  So I ask, why is this consistently the case?  If in were respond my answer would simply be if they knew how to draw a real cow it would be ALL white!  But I’m sure that this isn’t the reason because they do as good of job possible at making the Herefords look good! 

But when I really start to think about it the more I realize that the illustrator is simply trying to exhibit their skill.  The two colors each animal has make it easier for the illustrator to make the animals different from one another and make them identifiable.  It also allows the illustrator to show his or her skill in making the markings consistent as well as it shows that it requires more skill.  Also the breed features of the Hereford being the horns also add an element of difficulty where the illustrator can exemplify their skill.  In the Holstein breed the illustrator is given quite the task of creating the udder.  This adds a level of difficulty to the illustration as well.  Another reason that these two breeds are used is that most of the books are older and both Holsteins and Herefords were very strong in numbers and were simply the most influential breeds in their time.  Not that the Holstein still isn’t. 

As much as I would like to believe that the artists just don’t know how to dram real cattle or all the cattle in books would be white I think that the artists are just more interested in showing off their skills. 

Don’t forget the entry deadline for the CCYA conference is tomorrow as well as the Innisfail Pro Rodeo kicks off tomorrow night with the slack performance.

Until next time,

Luke