How to tell a story in an image

Narrative masters Tanya Combrinck talks to four artists about using visual elements to imbue their work with personal and universal human stories

- Tanya Combrinck

While generative AI can produce images with superficial visual appeal, especially to those who haven’t seen much AI art, they tend to fall apart under closer inspection. Elements are assembled almost randomly, and the overall image lacks the meaning, coherence and intention that can only come from a human artist. 

A way artists can fight back against generative AI is to lean into the things that only a human can do, for example using narrative to capture emotion, and convey something personal about themselves in their work.

PAINTING WITH WORDS

Some narratives will work better than others in paintings. Consider situations that feature opposing forces or some form of tension. Senior concept artist Titus Lunter says: "Interesting stories are inherently about conflict." Once you've found your conflict, you need to define it in words. Your choice of words is important, because these will be the keywords that you use to build your image. Titus explains keywords "are broadly understood by t most people, but mean very different and personal things to everyone". For example: "While cosy might be under blankets, it also might be by a fire, or on a patio with a nice drink." These are s all literal scenarios that you could paint to evoke a feeling of cosiness. "Understanding that these words mean different things to different people will help you understand your own voice," Titus adds.

Your unique voice and perspective is what makes your work different to everyone else's. He says: "In a way, you and your painting are having a dialogue on how to best capture what you want to say and what that means." This happens in two ways: your choice of what to paint, and how you use elements such as the composition, colour and texture used to paint it.