Let's talk about narrative. What is it? What does it have to do with art-making? How does an artist create narrative for a painting, drawing or sculpture? How can I build narrative in my own artwork?
What is visual Narrative?
Visual narrative is telling a story with imagery. Narrative is found in elements such as: point of view, the plot or action that has, is or will take place, setting, character, and symbolism.
What does narrative have to do with art-making?
When you look at a work of art, can you answer the question 'what story is being told'? Narrative in an artwork is built from specific decisions the artist makes such as body language, color, style or the scale (size) of the artwork. Being able to identify some of these elements in an artwork will help you develop narrative in your own work!
Some artists consider visual narrative to be one of the most important aspects of an artwork. Narrative in the visual arts ignites imagination, exposes truths and aspirations, and creates a space for emotional response. In short, narrative creates depth in an artwork asking the viewer to stay awhile.
How does an artist create narrative in their artworks?
The answer to this is many different ways! But there are tools we can use to help us establish strong artistic narrative. We will look at three artists who successfully build narrative into the foundation to their artwork. We will answer a set of questions for each group of images as practice in identifying what builds narrative in a visual artwork!
Let's start with artist Philemona Williamson (1951-present). Williamson considers herself a narrative painter. Although she often has her own narrative that inspires her paintings Williamson uses the interpretive nature of imagery to encourage viewers to consider their own influence on the story they experience when looking at her paintings.
"I paint figures depicting individuals of varying ethnicities inhabiting timeless, invented, dream-like environments, I probe the psychological landscape of adolescence, blurring the lines between race, gender, and class."
Watch this video to hear how Williamson describes her approach to narrative art!
Practice 1 |
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Look through the images below and answer the following questions. What do you think is going on? Why do you think that? What characters do you see? Are there animals? Are they real or imagined creatures? What is the setting like? How do the characters and setting contribute to your idea of what is happening? Identify a few of the principles of art that Williamson uses in these paintings (balance, emphasis, harmony, movement, pattern, proportion, repetition, rhythm, unity, and variety). How do the principles you identified contribute to the narrative? |
Next we are going to look at part of a series by photographer Carrie Mae Weems (1953-present).
Weems offers a lot to consider in the narrative of her photographs. This series, called The Kitchen Table Series (1990), "is about the complicatedness of monogamy, and the relationship of women with their friends and with other women, and the relationship of women with their children (...) It speaks to our deeper humanity".
Using a series of images can expand a narrative and give it life to continue past the last photograph or painting. Weems explores the narrative of humanity and of the past in order to think about a future that is changed.
Practice 2 |
Look at each photograph below. Look at them one by one and then as a group. What is consistent in all of the photographs? What changes? How do these things create a narrative or a story? How does the story develop by looking at the images as a group? Does this story end or does its' narrative reach outside of the characters on the page to a bigger idea to a bigger story? |
Artist Kadir Nelson (1974-present) finds inspiration in historical narratives and current events. Nelson's artwork focuses on narratives around African American heroism and pride and also addresses important social and political issues. Much like Weems, Nelson believes in art as a means for change. He uses his art to illuminate a fictional past as a way to look forward to an optimistic future.
Watch the video below to see how Nelson approaches narrative in a commissioned painting for the cover of The Rolling Stone Magazine.
Practice 3 |
Look at the two paintings below and answer the following questions for each. What do you notice first about the painting? How would you describe the characters? What kind of body language do you see? How would your perception of the narrative change if the body language was different (for example if the girl in Heat Wave had her head hung and shoulders down)? What is the point of view? Is there anything that is unclear or open-ended? |
Studio Practice
Use the following questions to form an image in your mind that tells a story. Consider using personal items that have meaning to you. You can choose a familiar setting (your room, backyard, inside your favorite book or game). You might include a character from your life or decide to exclude a character and only hint at existence of one.
·What is the setting?
· What is the time of day?
· What is in the foreground, middle ground, and background?
· Who is there?
· What are they doing?
· How are they posed; what is their body language?
· What is their attire?
· What does their facial expression indicate?
· Who appears to be the main character?
· How are the characters interacting with each other?
· How is color used? Is it vibrant and colorful or muted, black and white?
· What objects are there?
· What is the mood? How is this mood communicated?
· What size is your work? Small? Large? How does the size impact the narrative?
Create several sketches using different combinations of your answers to the above questions. Continue doing this until you find a composition you are happy with and your narrative has taken shape. At this point you can develop your sketch further and then create a work using your medium of choice!
Tip: Write a short story or some sentences about your sketches. This can help you as the artist develop the depth of your narrative.
If you feel comfortable, share some of your work from this project in the comments! And of course ask questions!
Vocabulary
Composition The combination and arrangement of component in a work of art.
Foreground The part of the composition closest to the viewer.
Imagery Mental or physical images.
Medium The type of art or materials used to create an artwork.
Plot What is happening in a story, the main action occurring.
Point of View The position (physically or conceptual) from which something or someone is observed.
Setting The time and place portrayed in an image. The setting can act as an anchor or platform for the viewer to engage with an artwork.
Lesson Plan and Worksheets
Sources
Philemona Williamson
Images and video: https://www.philemonawilliamson.com/
Learn more about this artist! https://vimeo.com/531941765 , https://youtu.be/fEveqnbJhN0
Carrie Mae Weems
Images of artwork: http://carriemaeweems.net/contact.html
Image of artist: © Stephanie Diani/ New York Times / Redux / eyevine; Link
Learn more about this artist! https://youtu.be/oLHzpH__-Rk
Kadir Nelson
Images of artwork: https://www.kadirnelson.com/gallery
Learn more about this artist! https://youtu.be/wQ_IrL3xrbY
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