Some of the works by Katsushika Hokusai like 'The Great Wave off Kanagawa' can be considered. The huge wave towering over the boats seems to tell a story of the power of nature and the smallness of humans in the face of it. It also gives a sense of the Japanese culture and the relationship between the people and the sea.
The Bayeux Tapestry is also a great example. It's a long embroidered cloth that tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It shows the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, and the aftermath. Through detailed scenes and figures, it gives a historical account in a visual way.
One famous example is 'The Scream' by Edvard Munch. The distorted figure and the vivid colors seem to convey a sense of existential dread. It can be seen as a story of an individual overwhelmed by the chaos and angst of modern life. Another is 'Guernica' by Pablo Picasso. It tells the tragic story of the bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. The chaotic and fragmented imagery represents the horror and destruction that the people of Guernica endured.
There's the 'The Arnolfini Portrait' by Jan van Eyck. It tells a story about a couple, perhaps their marriage or some important moment in their relationship. The details in the painting, like the dog (which could symbolize loyalty), the fruits (which might represent fertility), and the way the couple is posed all contribute to the story. And 'The Last Supper' by Leonardo da Vinci is also a great example. It shows the moment when Jesus announced that one of his disciples would betray him, and the reactions of the disciples are vividly depicted.
One of the most famous is 'Your Name'. It tells a story of two teenagers who mysteriously swap bodies across time and space. Their connection grows as they leave notes for each other and gradually fall in love through these shared experiences. Another great one is 'Weathering with You'. A boy meets a girl who has the power to control the weather. Their relationship develops as they face various challenges together while trying to keep her power a secret. And 'A Silent Voice' is also remarkable. It's about a former bully trying to make amends with a deaf girl, and love blossoms in the process of their mutual understanding and growth.
Animated GIFs can also be considered as little drawings that tell a story. Take the simple ones where a stick figure runs, jumps over an obstacle, and reaches a finish line. This short sequence of drawings conveys the story of the stick figure's journey. And then there are ancient cave paintings which in a way are also little drawings that tell a story. They might depict a hunting scene, showing hunters chasing animals, which gives us an idea of the daily life and activities of the people from that era.
The 'Peanuts' series is also well - known. It focuses on Charlie Brown, a kind - hearted but often unlucky boy, and his group of friends like Snoopy, the imaginative beagle. The drawings show their daily lives, including Charlie Brown's attempts at flying a kite and Snoopy's battles with the Red Baron in his fantasies.
A journey theme could be great. For example, the first drawing shows a person at the start of a path in a forest. The second drawing is the person walking along the path, facing some small obstacles like fallen branches. In the third drawing, the person reaches a beautiful clearing with a waterfall. It's a simple yet effective theme for three drawings to tell a story.
The Bayeux Tapestry is a great example. It tells the story of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 through detailed embroidery which is like a long drawing. The images show the battle scenes, the preparation, and the key figures involved. Another one is Frida Kahlo's self - portraits. Her paintings tell the story of her pain, her identity, and her experiences as a Mexican woman." "Answer2": "One example is the illustrations in children's books. For instance, in 'Where the Wild Things Are', the drawings by Maurice Sendak are not only visually appealing but also tell the story of a boy's wild adventure. The expressions on the 'Wild Things' faces, the strange landscapes, all contribute to the narrative. Also, many political cartoons are powerful drawings that tell a story. They use satire and simple yet impactful images to convey complex political situations." "Answer3": "The works of Gustave Doré are excellent examples. His illustrations for Dante's 'Divine Comedy' are very powerful. He was able to capture the essence of Dante's complex story of the afterlife through his detailed and dramatic drawings. The dark and moody settings, the grotesque figures, all serve to tell the story. Another example could be the ancient Egyptian tomb paintings which tell the stories of the lives and afterlives of the pharaohs and the nobility.
Characters are crucial. They are the ones who drive the story forward. Their appearance, actions, and expressions all contribute to the narrative. For example, if a character looks worried, it might imply that there's a problem in the story. Another element is the setting. It sets the context for the story. A dark, spooky forest can create a sense of mystery or danger. And lastly, the plot. It's what ties all the illustrations together. Each drawing should be a part of the overall plot, like chapters in a book.
One example could be a series of illustrations in a graphic novel. The drawings show different scenes and characters, and through the sequence, a story unfolds, like in 'Maus' which tells the story of the Holocaust through the use of animal characters. Another example is political cartoons. They use simple drawings to convey complex political or social stories or messages in a very concise and often satirical way.
You need to have a clear idea first. Then, focus on simple yet expressive drawings that convey the main points of the story.
Common mistakes include ignoring the emotional arc of the story. The drawings should convey the character's feelings as the story progresses. Also, not planning the composition well. If the elements in each drawing are randomly placed, it can be hard to follow the story. Another error is not thinking about the target audience. If it's for kids, the story and drawings should be simple and colorful. But if it's for adults, more complex themes and art styles can be used. Also, avoid making the drawings too static. Show movement and action to keep the story flowing.