Follow the Absurd Idea. Let the Story Emerge.

INKTOBER DAY 24: BAKE

Every image can tell a story.

Even a single frame can make us wonder what happened before it and what will happen next.

But when we draw a verb, storytelling becomes even more obvious.

Were showing something happening.

And to turn that action into a visual metaphor, we can add something unexpected.

For this image, I started with a simple free association.

What if a loaf of bread looked like a brain ?

And just like that, I had someone baking a brain in an oven.

Absurd? Absolutely.

But once you accept the absurdity, questions start popping up.

Whose brain is it?

Why are they baking it?

What will happen when its ready?

And is it even their own brain?

The image doesnt answer these questions.It doesnt have to.

The questions are part of the story.

They invite the viewer to imagine what might be happening.

And heres something important: I didnt need to know the answers before I started drawing.

I followed an absurd idea and let it lead me somewhere unexpected.

Todays tip:

Start with an absurd association.

Dont worry about whether it makes sense. Follow it.

Then ask questions about the situation youve created.

You dont need to answer all of them. 

Leave some unanswered, and let your audience finish the story. 

The more unexpected the image, the harder it can be to ignore.

And as for what it means?

Let the viewer decide.