Before you get started on your narrative art journey there are a few things to make clear. Firstly, this is a research based unit. You will be looking at artists and their art, but you will also be looking at historical and critical evaluations of this art. You will be expected to apply this research to your own historical and critical practice— by answering questions, reflecting and making connections to your own artmaking practice. In a way, this is the essence of all art practice, the making of connections.

In saying this, it is important that you make connections that feel relevant to you. The art of storytelling is not universal, some stories will be interesting to you and others will not be. The great thing about learning in this environment is that you can be independent if you want. If you really want to learn about narrative strategies in contemporary comic art and you don't find it here (yet) then negotiate with your teacher and do your own research. The questions and worksheets can be easily adapted. As a student it is great if you can apply your learning, even if it is not your favourite artist or technique. You might even be surprised! After all, contemporary comics draw a lot of inspiration from Ancient Egyptian and Greek art.

There will be two main practical projects that come out of this unit.

PROJECT ONE Narrative Scroll In this you will be expected to integrate images and text to tell a story about your family over time. You can do this a computer based project, using Photoshop (or other program) or as a 2D paper project. Either way you will be collecting ideas, images, manipulating images, photos and text on the computer before you create the finished product.		PROJECT TWO Digital Narrative Series In this project you will be using text, sound and images in a series of images to tell a story. Your work will be based on the work of Vernon Ah Kee. If you have advanced computer skills you can choose your own program to create this in, however Powerpoint will be fine for the purpose of this project.

Your teacher will provide more details and the assessment criteria during class.

	The VAPD Question?
What do I do with my Visual Arts Process Diary? Your Visual Arts Process Diary (VAPD) is still an important asset in this Web-based research unit. You can continue to use your standard VAPD or you can create a computer-based VAPD for the purpose of this unit. You might find it easiest to keep a computer-based journal to record your progress as most of our research will be done using the internet. If you do choose to create a computer-based VAPD then I recommend you keep one folder (please label with your own name) to keep all your research notes and completed worksheets in. You can then email your completed worksheets to your teacher.	Auguste Rodin, The Thinker (1889). Original bronze cast, Brussels, Laeken cemetery	Does it matter which method I choose? No it doesn't matter. Your VAPD is a very personal thing. Just remember, it is a record that your teacher needs to be able to access, read and mark. Whatever choice you make, please use it to record: -Inspiring encounters in this vast online resource of exciting art ideas and images. You are likely to come across more resources than you could possible use for this project. Rather than get overwhelmed, you should consider keeping a folder of bookmarks of your favourites (please label it with your own name and subject) or write down the links that you could come back to another time. -Ideas for your own artmaking. Draw in thumbnail sketches, story-boards, written ideas and crazy 'if only I had the time' dreams. -Artists you want to use to inspire and inform your own practice. Remember, we will be writing an artist's statement at the conclusion of this unit and you will be expected to discuss your influences. -Notes and images for your artist study. You will get a more details on this requirement in each Artist Study area. - Remember, this unit is based on Narrative Art. This implies that you will be telling a story through your art. Your VAPD is a chance to tell the story of your research— how you got to where you are in your artmaking, historical and critical practices.

Taking Inspiration from the Internet.

Journals are central to many contemporary artists practices. In recent times there has been a proliferation of artists using online journals to record and share their processes, research, ideas and art. You can look at this process to draw inspiration for your own VAPD's. Your VAPD should remain a record of your process (not become the artwork itself) so spend a sensible amount of time on it. However the strength of your experimentation, ideas and research will most likely reflect in your finished artworks. This is a balancing act and there is no right or wrong way to find this balance

Spend some time looking at the following web sites and make one page (or so) of notes. Include things you liked, disliked, your perspective on the use of online sharing and any other thoughts you may have.

One Thousand Journals Project is an interesting look at a community of journal makers. The pages also demonstrate ways to organise information.

The Soul Food Cafe site demonstrates the links between writing and art. There are lots of side streets to travel down , don't get lost! Have a look and write some ideas of your own.

Definitions

Before we go too far we should stop and take a look at a couple of definitions. ArtLex Art Dictionary is a great site to help with definitions. During this unit if you come across a term you don't understand then look it up on ArtLex and record it in your own words in your VAPD. Let's start with these two:

Definition of Narrative.

and the

Definition of New Media.

You might also find it useful to read an historical overview of narrative in art. There are many places to do this, however my suggestion is the University of Adelaide Graduate Studies in Art History site. Have a read of this and create a timeline in your VAPD. You can fill in details as you work your way through the topics.

Go now to the activities page to start your research journey.