Narrative Techniques for Illustrated Stories

Illustration can be a determining tool in the narration of a story since it can reinforce it and offer specific nuances. But in addition, there are other narrative resources that the author and illustrator of children's stories Paula Bossio explains in this course, which you can apply to your own stories and exercise your creative abilities when narrating them.

Learn to be more aware of the importance of each of the elements that make up an illustrated image. Through exercises, you will see how to be more proactive and creative in illustrating your stories and you will exercise your ability to narrate visually, going beyond the creation of purely decorative illustrations.

To start, Paula introduces herself and explains how her professional career has been, her interests, influences, and the power that stories have not only as a source of inspiration but also as a creative engine.

Any illustrated book contains a series of elements to take into account, such as the story, a narrative structure, the dimensions and characteristics of the publication, and of course, the image. Paula explains three of these elements and how they relate to the image: the parts of a story, the changes in time, and the possibilities of the book as a physical object.

Next, delve into the components of the image, from its composition to its relation with the text. See how the images that belong to a narrative system are sequential, they depend on each other; and how each element of an image can have a second reading that adds to the narration.

Select some elements to narrate the chosen story in a different way, playing with it and transforming it. Learn various sketching techniques such as the storyboard, how to apply color in watercolor and create mini-books to understand the sequences. Paula shows you examples so that later, you can start to make a story.

After working your creative muscle on various exercises and having experimented a little, carry out your final project: a short story in book form. Paula gives you the guidelines to create it, make the colorization and to carry out the finalized model’s assembly.

Create a short and illustrated 8-page narration, inspired by a classic story but containing a narrative twist. You must include a time alteration, a sequential resource, and propose a format modification.

All those who like picture books and everyone who is passionate about telling stories through drawing and wants to experiment and be creative.

Of course, also to artists, illustrators, reading enthusiasts, teachers, writers, students, designers, animators, and visual artists.

Basic drawing skills are required. You don't need to be able to draw professionally, but you do need to be able to clearly express an idea.

You need a comfortable workspace, mixed media papers, brushes, colors, watercolors, pencils, markers, a notebook, scissors, a cutter, and a stapler.