Narrative Illustration introduces students to the creative process of transforming stories into compelling visual imagery. Through drawing, research, observation, and studio practice, students explore how illustrators communicate narrative through composition, character development, setting/atmosphere, symbolism, and visual storytelling.

Drawing inspiration from classical mythology, fairy tales, folklore, literature, and historical artworks and artifacts, students examine how artists across cultures and time periods have interpreted stories through images. Museum visits to The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Met Cloisters provide opportunities for observational sketching/drawing, analytical note-taking, and visual research that directly informs the development of original studio projects.

Working in the medium of their choice, including watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, ink, markers, or mixed media, students develop original narrative illustrations while strengthening skills in concept development, composition, and storytelling. By the end of the course, students will complete three portfolio-quality narrative illustration projects supported by research, observational studies, concept sketches, and visual development work