EIGHT
Juxtaposition and Story Arc
setting the scene
Our innate ability to perceive patterns through the Gestalt principles described as proximity, similarity, continuity, closure, and connectedness are fundamental in how we interpret visual narratives such as a graphic novel.
reading between the pictures
A genuinely unique aspect of sequential mediums such as comic books or even picture books is that the reader participates in the creative process by filling in the blanks between panels or pages as they read the story.
This interpretation of visual clues gives the reader a strong connection to the content because the viewer is actively engaged in the story making process. And the more a story has the reader interpreting the plot through juxtaposition the more engaged the reader will be.
The video below discusses an example. (2 minutes)
like a roller coaster ride
The story or narrative arc is often described as having 5 parts, exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement. (which I have likely mispronounced in the video below!)
This sequencing of the plot contributes to getting a reader interested in a story – and in keeping them interested.
A useful sketchbook exercise for artists interested in storytelling is to break down an existing or original story into the 5 parts of a narrative arc. The video below discusses this and also has a sketchbook/picture book painting demo. (8 minutes)
