@The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Stories without words

Using emotive illustrations to tell a story

Student visual arts resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 7 and 8 visual arts

What will I learn?

You will:

  • explore stories told through illustration

  • analyse how and why this artwork was created

  • develop an illustration of a character

  • communicate through illustration.

Before you begin

You will need:

  • a device to watch the video clips

  • a device to record your answers to the questions

  • paper, a lead pencil and an eraser.

  1. Explore

You don’t always need words to tell a story. You can tell a powerful, emotive story through:

  • movement – for example, dance or mime

  • sound – for example, instrumental music or electronic sound effects

  • visual images – for example, artworks, illustrations or graphic novels.

Emotive means expressing or communicating emotion.

Shaun Tan is a talented Australian artist who uses detailed illustrations to tell a story. These aren’t your typical picture books for children. They are stories for older readers that use visual images to communicate a character’s experiences and emotions. They are also unusual because there are no words, so anyone can understand the story regardless of what language they speak.

Watch the animation of the book ‘The Arrival’ by Shaun Tan.

Shaun Tan – The Arrival Animation

Duration: 14:20

Reflect on the story:

  • Retell the story in at least 2 paragraphs.

  • Explain how Shaun Tan tells a story without using words.

  • Describe any images in the story that you think are particularly emotive or powerful.

  • Identify the colours used throughout the story (this is called a ‘colour palette’). Why do you think the artist has chosen this colour palette?

  • Express how you think it felt for ‘the arrival’ to enter this strange new world. Think of a time when you have felt like a stranger in an unfamiliar place. Compare your experience to the main character’s experience in the book.

2. Analyse

Watch Shaun Tan discuss how he created ‘The Arrival’.

Interview with Shaun Tan – The Arrival

Duration: 04:00

Consider how the artist, their world, their audience and the artwork are all connected.

  • Describe the background and experiences of the artist.

  • Why did the artist create this artwork?

  • What influenced the artist?

  • What were the intentions of the artist (what was he trying to communicate)?

  • How do the illustrations from the book make you feel? Do you think the artist was successful in communicating what he was trying to say?


The Conceptual Framework, as illustrated in the diagram, demonstrates how the artist, the world and the audience are all connected, and how these elements are all interconnected with the artwork.


Diagram of The Conceptual Framework.

3. Develop

Watch the video and learn how Shaun Tan develops a character.

Shaun Tan invites you into his studio

Duration: 05:40
Pictures from The Arrival by Shaun Tan

Develop an object or character following these steps:

Step 1

Using a lead pencil, draw 6 rough sketches to depict the following characters:

  • Human: small, timid, shy

  • Object: sharp, pointy, crisp, stern

  • Animal: sly, mysterious, unpredictable

  • Mythical creature: clumsy, friendly, loud or boisterous

  • Object: ancient, crumbling, tired

  • Animal: majestic, proud, powerful.

You can choose to make your objects and characters realistic or they can be quirky, unique and entirely from your imagination.

Step 2

Select the sketch you like the most.

Develop this character by re-drawing your sketch in more detail.

The details should show the character’s personality.

For example, you might include accessories like a bow tie, a plane ticket, a hat, or a crown, or you might change their facial features so they look embarrassed, surprised, or tired.

You can also use shading and add in background features.

Step 3

Consider the ‘mood’ of the picture. Think about what sort of lighting will suit your character.

Will it be bright and happy, or dark and gloomy?

Are your lines bold and strong, or soft and wispy?

Refine your drawing to suit the mood of the character.

Continue to refine your character until you are happy with it.

You can name and describe the character if you like.

4. Communicate

Communicate a story by creating a short series of sketches.

Shaun Tan uses the same character in different ‘freeze frames’ to communicate a story. It might be communicating a simple scenario or it could be a more complex story.

Draw your character in a sequence of pictures to tell a short story. You should aim for at least 8-12 pictures. Keep in mind that your story does not need to be a perfect, incredible work of art, it just needs to tell a story.

Think of your illustrations as a tool to communicate with others.

You can use your own scenario or choose from the following:

  • escaping from somewhere or someone

  • finding a long lost friend

  • discovering a new world or a mysterious new object

  • first day in a new place

  • growing older and wiser

  • an unexpected friendship

  • learning something new

  • searching for a sense of belonging

  • fixing something that is broken

  • a funny accident, serendipity

  • a crowded place or a deserted place

  • pretending to be something else

  • discovering something in nature

  • going on a journey.

Congratulations!

You've completed this @The Arts Unit Creative Class.

We hope you enjoyed learning how to use emotive illustrations to tell a story.

Third-party content attributions

  • The Conceptual Framework from the NSW Visual Arts Syllabus. © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2020.

  • Excerpt from 'The Arrival', Tan, S. (2006). The Arrival. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books. © Shaun Tan. Reproduced with permission from The Arrival by Shaun Tan.