How to Tell a Story with Your Art & Engage Your Audience
How to tell a story with your art! Learn how to create powerful art that moves people. By the end of this article, you will understand how to create captivating art with ease. As well, you will learn tips to engage your audience and keep them wanting more.
Each of the methods shared in this article will help incorporate storytelling into your art. You can try using one or a combination of several tips in your art. Below are the five different topics this article covers:
- Let Characters Tell a Story
- Adding Meaning to Your Art
- Use Creativity to Tell a Story
- Allow Color to Bring Story to Your Art
- Use Technical Skills to Add Storytelling
1. Let Characters Tell a Story
Incorporating characters into your art is an easy way to add story to your art and engage your audience. Humans like to connect with others and are naturally drawn to characters. Try not to just add pointless characters, but ones with significance. Also, be sure to give them emotions. This can be shown by facial expressions or body language. Additionally, try to create characters with a goal. Likewise, you can show characters overcoming an obstacle.
Furthermore, imagine a backstory for your characters. You can incorporate their story literally in your art, or as words that accompany an illustration. For example, make a comic of your characters or add a caption to an illustration on social media. Creating goals and bios for your characters is a great way to add meaning to your art. See my comic’s cast page for an example of adding backstories to art.
By following these tips, people will more easily be able to connect to your art. Similarly, they will likely want to know more about your characters. This can keep them coming back for more of your lovely art.
2. Adding Meaning to Your Art
A second way to tell a story with your art is by adding meaning. For instance, try to incorporate some of your own personal life experiences into your art. Alternatively, you can make up some experiences if you do not want to use your own. For example, try to show a struggle or hardship in your art. This instantly adds narrative to your artwork that people may be able to sympathize with. Likewise, try to make art that is relatable. People will naturally connect to art that they can empathize with.
I am adding meaning to my upcoming comic by taking inspiration from my grandparents’ experiences caused by WWII. For example, the comic is based around characters trying to escape a tyrannical government. Likewise, I give each of my characters something to meaningful to fight for. You can read more about my comic for an example of incorporating meaning into art.
Another idea is to create something unexpected. This will instantly bring story to your art, as well as intrigue. Finally, do not be afraid to experiment and explore different ideas. Following these tips will add depth to your art, giving it interest and like-ability.
3. Use Creativity to Tell a Story
Thirdly, try using good old fashioned creativity to tell a story with your art. For example, try designing interesting clothing for your characters. Similarly, try these tips to create character reference sheets. Also, try creating an immersive environment. Here are some tips for drawing backgrounds. Additionally, incorporate your interests and inspirations. As well, fill your “idea bank” by doing studies. Further, do experiments to find new ideas.
An additional tip is to pick an interesting perspective for your artwork. Different perspectives can totally change the meaning and feel of an artwork. Moreover, try creating something that does not exist. Incorporating sci-fi or fantasy is a great way to add story to your art.
Creativity keeps things fresh and exciting. So be sure to use some of these tips to add story to your art.
4. Allow Color to Bring Story to Your Art
A fourth method to incorporate storytelling in your art is to rely on color. One of my favorite song lyrics is, “I was blind, now I’m seeing in color.” As we all know, color is an amazing treat to our eyes. But more than that, it can be used to relay a message or story.
For example, use different color palettes to bring the right mood to an artwork. Even a grayscale palette or the absence of color can convey a certain mood. Additionally, try using color to create focal point. Adding a more saturated area or pop of color can help bring attention to the message behind an artwork. Furthermore, try using different lighting techniques. Different lighting can bring different messages to an artwork.
Utilizing color in these ways can help more easily relay a story in your art. As well, it can help attract people’s interest. This in turn makes color a great tool for engaging your audience.
5. Use Technical Skills to Add Storytelling
A final tip to add narrative to your creations is to use technical art skills. Study up or expand your technical artistic abilities. This will help improve your artistic storytelling. Specifically, there are some particular skills that you may want to focus on.
For example, practice creating strong posing of characters. This is because particular poses can help to relay a narrative. Likewise, strive to improve how you depict movement. This is because movement is a good tool to help show a story. Additionally, work on adding details to your art. Details can help provide more information and create a more captivating setting or believable character. Further, learn the 12 principles of animation, which are actually helpful for showing story in any medium.
Moreover, try studying and incorporating sequential images into your art. You could try one of several sequential mediums. For instance, triptychs, children’s books, comics, illustrated novels, animatics, animations, etc. All these mediums make storytelling a lot easier. This is because they can show a collection of moments, allowing for the building of a story.
Besides trying those more traditional skills, you can also try using more expressive strokes. Sometimes a refined drawing can become too stiff and lifeless. Contrarily, expressive lines can sometimes help to give a better sense of story. Loose, quick, or heavy lines all can bring a different feel to your art. So try using expressive lines when appropriate.
All these drawing skills can be great to try out. They are super helpful for incorporating story into art. As well, utilizing them can help people better connect to your art.
That Sums Up Some Ways to Tell a Story with Your Art
In summary, to create art with good story and engage your audience there are many methods to try. You can try using characters, meaning, creativity, color, or technical skills. Now you have learned how to incorporate story into your art. So, it is time to go make some unforgettable art. Leave a comment on what you will create!
And, if you liked this article, you might find these articles helpful as well:
What Should I Draw? – Drawing Prompts & Projects
Actual Ways to Improve Your Art – Methods & Challenges That Work
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