Drawing the Graphic Novel: Principles and Practice

Definition

Drawing is one of the key steps in creating a graphic novel, as graphic narratives rely on both text and images to tell stories. Using various techniques and styles, graphic novel artists draw images that transmit the mood of the written narrative and are essential to the emotional impact of a work.

Introduction

Graphic novels merge written narratives with visual language. The coupling of innovative visual and written narratives provides readers with a tangible reading and viewing experience unlike that of a purely written or purely visual work. The artwork that accompanies the written narrative deeply affects readers’ perception of the entire graphic narrative. While graphic novels cannot exist without their narrative text, at times, the power of the image supersedes the text, creating a visceral emotional experience.

The process of drawing the images to accompany the text is a crucial step in the creation of an effective graphic novel. The artwork that accompanies any written narrative must be chosen to serve the strengths of the writer and artist involved. Each artist has a particular individual style, whether it is photorealistic or highly stylized. The artist chooses the style and other elements of drawing in order to create a rich experience that transcends the written narrative. The line work is the cornerstone of the drawing and the building block for the mood of the artwork in a graphic novel.

The Line

Drawing gives life to the graphic novel, making it an excitingly tactile medium that is unlike solely visual or written art forms. The most fundamental aspect of the drawing process is the line work. The weight of the line can set the mood for the work. For instance, graphic novel art that uses thick, dark lines without incorporating any color has an intensity that adds gravity to the narrative in a way that art featuring sharp, crisp lines does not. Some graphic novels consist almost entirely of simple, crisp line work, allowing readers to focus on the text. At times, pieces with sparse details allow readers to imagine themselves in the protagonist’s situation, adding to the empathy that develops between reader and narrative.

The figures are the primary focus in most graphic novels, but other drawn elements aid in the creation of a cohesive work. The scenes and space that surround the main interactions of the characters also play a pivotal role in establishing the mood of the work. While the weight of the line is different and may play a lesser role in the background, it nevertheless aids the flow of the narrative. Some graphic novels that have copious amounts of detail use the background space to reinforce the mood that the figures and the narrative have set, establishing the environment in which the characters exist. In graphic novels that focus primarily on the text, the few details that are included in the background typically serve to add gravity to the situation. The sparse background gives viewers a sense of the scene while keeping them actively engaged in the work.

Stylized Drawing

The style that the artist uses also contributes to the mood and effectiveness of the graphic novel. A tight, photorealistic style allows readers to rely on the text to understand the emotions of the characters. Conversely, a heavily stylized piece transmits the emotional weight of the narrative visually but can cause the weight of the written narrative to suffer.

Regardless of the graphic novel’s style, the artwork is largely based on a shared understanding of visual language and cultural stereotypes. This understanding between creator and reader has allowed Clark Kent to conceal his true identity as Superman under glasses since the character’s first introduction, for instance. Readers understand that according to cultural stereotypes, glasses distinguish the intellectual weaklings from the strong, dashing leading men. Such stereotypes and visual indicators have made it possible for graphic novels to transmit messages and symbols to their audience without expressing them directly.

Stylized drawing particularly serves to translate the emotions that manifest in a graphic novel, especially in conflict, presenting them visually to readers. Several graphic novels that focus on the events and brutality of warfare are drawn in particular styles to exemplify different emotional responses to warfare. For instance, in works related to twentieth and twenty-first century conflicts such as the Vietnam War and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, some artists use expressive line work to capture the constant confusion that occurs during an attack. Loose line work can especially translate the turmoil that surrounds combat, allowing readers to experience the tumultuous nature of conflict. The stylization of the line continuously generates the mood embedded in the narrative.

Photorealism

Photorealism has existed within the fine arts for centuries and been used in graphic novels numerous times throughout their history. Art in this style is often based on photographs and itself appears nearly photographic. The use of photorealism in graphic novels continues to raise the question of what levels of abstraction and reality best support the narratives in these works. With the increasing ease of creating photorealistic images through computer software, a significant number of graphic novels have embraced this style.

While photorealism also relies on cultural stereotypes to establish an emotional grounding with readers, it does not need to adhere as closely to those traditions. Unlike stylized works, photorealistic works have an advantage in appealing to the casual reader. The style allows readers easy access into characters that are complex like themselves but appear to be entirely average. This is the case in Brian K. Vaughan and Tony Harris’s series Ex Machina (2004-2010), the art of which was in part created using models and reference photographs. Although protagonist Mitchell Hundred is both the mayor of New York City and a superhero, readers are able to identify with him readily because he appears to be nothing more than a regular man.

In the 2020s, smartphones' ubiquitous presence has influenced how graphic novels are produced, disseminated, and consumed. Traditionally created in 2D landscape orientations, graphic novels became available in vertical orientations, 3D, 360-degree, or immersive formats, allowing a much deeper reader experience. Despite incorporating these innovative technologies, many fundamental principles remain unchanged, such as the need for compelling storylines and engaging characters.

Impact

Drawn images have an impact that can be far greater than that of the written word, and they serve to communicate the mood of the narrative in a way that words cannot. Inking, lettering, and other tasks are important parts of the graphic novel creation process, but drawing is the foundation on which the artwork is based. While the style of art in graphic novels has evolved and expanded since the Golden Age of comics, it continues to serve its purpose of unifying the mood of the graphic narrative. Creators of graphic novels must balance the art with the written text in order to create an effective narrative.

Bibliography

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