First, plan out the story clearly in your mind. Decide on the beginning, middle, and end. For example, if it's a story about a lost dog, start with the dog getting lost in the park. Then, for each drawing, focus on one key moment or action. Sketch it out roughly at first to get the composition right. Use simple shapes and lines to build up the characters and scenes. Don't forget about details like facial expressions to convey emotions. Color can also play an important role, like using warm colors for happy scenes and cool colors for sad ones.
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.
The story of 'Alice in Wonderland' is a great example for a sequence of drawings. Start with Alice following the white rabbit down the hole. Then, draw her growing and shrinking in different scenes in Wonderland. There could be pictures of her at the mad hatter's tea party, playing croquet with the queen of hearts, and talking to strange creatures like the Cheshire cat. Another example is the story of 'The Tortoise and the Hare'. A drawing of the hare bragging about how fast he is while the tortoise slowly starts the race. Then, the hare taking a nap during the race while the tortoise keeps going. And finally, the tortoise winning the race as the hare wakes up in surprise. These stories have clear storylines that can be easily translated into a sequence of drawings.
First, think of a simple and interesting story. It could be about a day in the life of a character, like a little mouse looking for cheese. Then, break the story into key parts. For each part, make a rough sketch of what you want to draw. For example, for the mouse story, you could have a drawing of the mouse waking up in its hole, another of it sniffing around for cheese, and one of it finally finding the cheese. Use basic shapes at first to get the composition right, and then add details like fur on the mouse or holes in the cheese. You can also play with colors to set the mood, like warm colors for a happy moment or cool colors for a sad or spooky part.
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 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.
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.
They were created using simple tools like stones and sticks. The artists would chip away at the cave wall or use the sticks to draw lines. They also used natural pigments for color. For example, they might have used ochre for red or charcoal for black.
First, plan out your story. Decide on the beginning, middle, and end. For example, if it's about a journey, show the character starting from home, facing obstacles on the way, and finally reaching the destination. Second, use symbols. A broken heart can symbolize sadness, a flower can mean new life. Third, play with the composition. If you want to show a character's isolation, place them in a large empty space.