This is the third journal entry dealing with the ways a simple drawing can tell a story. The first part is here, and the second part is here. The image being used as a reference is this one:



We have considered the way that the construction of the character helps the viewer to identify with her, and how this helps the reader's mind to create a story. We also considered some changes to her facial expression that can change the story that our mind "reads" when we look at the image. The idea is to help to guide the viewer's mind in a specific direction, so that they are seeing the story we want them to see. Now we will consider her outfit and accessories.

Her current outfit consists of a monokini and long gloves. To this unusual combination we can add a pair of goggles above her brow. There is also a sort of collar around her neck, which looks to have a hi-tech origin. The viewer's impression is shaped by these objects, and their random and strange nature might take the viewer's mind in any number of directions. The collar, in particular, can cause the viewer some confusion. While we are familiar with the concept of collars and necklaces, this one doesn't ring any particular bells. Without context or explanation, this outfit and accessories don't tell an obvious story. So, let's change it!

As with the changes to facial expression, we will keep the pose exactly as it is. This time we'll also keep that enigmatic facial expression. Both of these will limit what story we can tell. The wistful look doesn't convey a powerful emotion, and is open to some interpretation. The pose, on the other hand, is more specific. Even without the muscles, it would imply some level of confrontation or challenge. With the heavy musculature, it also implies a certain level of confidence and power. Combined, they create a few possible stories. There is an air of superiority implied, and a hint of impatience. We can almost imagine her tapping her foot, or drumming the fingertips of her right hand.

So, what stories can we tell? The possible interpretations from her expression and pose (impatience, confident confrontation, sarcasm) are fairly universal. Thus, just about any combination of outfits and accessories would work. The advantage of this is that we can tell very specific stories, even without the context that would be provided by, for instance, a background or props. For example:

• She is wearing a t-shirt and shorts, and has a volleyball tucked under one arm. The viewer's mind would probably "see" a beach scene behind her, and a volleyball net nearby. Her expression becomes one that says "you guys ready?" Or even "you guys ready to LOSE?" Replace the volleyball with a soccer ball, and the mind will probably see a grass field behind her. Replace it with a basketball, and now there is a hardwood floor under her feet and a gymnasium surrounding her. Or perhaps blacktop and a rickety hoop surrounded by an inner-city view.

• Put her in a slightly stiff-looking dark blue uniform and hang a rifle over one shoulder, and your mind may see a military or police checkpoint behind her. But it's not an emergency, based on her expression (or maybe it is, and she is trying her hardest not to incite a panic!).

• Put her in a blouse and skirt, partly covered by a lab coat. She has eyeglasses perched on her brow this time, not goggles. She's got a clipboard in one hand. The background will become a hospital or clinic. Or a research laboratory. Her expression and pose could mean a lot of things now. Perhaps she's watching an experiment, and pleased with its progress. Or she's waiting for her patient to lower his trousers in order to allow her to complete her exam, and her expression indicates that she's trying to help him relax by making it clear that she's not upset that he's made her wait so long.

The list can go on. The interesting part of making changes to an outfit or to accessories is that the person viewing the work will associate them with scenes that they've experienced in everyday life or watched in pictures or movies. The facial expression and pose can also help to place the character in a scene, but nothing helps the viewer/reader focus the way an outfit or accessories do. Well, aside from providing a specific background!