Telling Stories Through Your Art (Without Overthinking It)
- DeElla Hoberg
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
There’s this idea that storytelling in art has to be complicated.
That you need a full concept, a clear message, or some kind of grand meaning before you even begin.
But in my experience, that’s not how it works at all.
Most of the time, the story shows up while you’re painting.
🎨 Every Painting Is Already Telling a Story
Even if you don’t mean for it to.
It might be obvious—a place you’ve been, a memory, a subject you love.Or it might be quieter—a feeling, a color palette, a sense of movement.
Sometimes the story is:
the way the colors interact
the tension between light and dark
or just the energy in your brushstrokes
You don’t have to force it.
You just have to notice it.
🌿 When a Painting Feels Stuck
This is where storytelling becomes really helpful.
When something isn’t working, most of us jump straight to:
“I messed this up.”
But what if that’s not the problem?
What if the painting just isn’t finished telling its story yet?
Instead of starting over, try asking:
What is this piece about?
What feels unfinished?
Where does it need clarity… or softness… or contrast?
You don’t need all the answers.You just need the next step.
🎭 A Simple Way to Think About Story
If you want a little structure (without overthinking it), you can borrow a few ideas from storytelling:
👤 Character (Focal Point)
What is this piece about? Where does your eye go first?
🌫️ Setting (Mood + Environment)
What does this piece feel like? Soft? calm? dramatic? energetic?
📈 Plot (Change or Movement)
What’s happening in the piece? Does something need to shift or develop?
💬 Dialogue (Interaction)
How do the elements relate? Are they working together? creating tension?
You don’t need to use all of these. Even one can help guide your decisions.
🎨 Materials as Part of the Story
This is where mixed media becomes really powerful.
Each material has a kind of “voice.”
Ink brings clarity
Gouache lets you shift direction
Pastels soften and unify
Oil pastel adds energy
Pencil adds quiet detail
You’re not just adding materials—you’re choosing how the story is told.
🌿 Don’t Fix It—Respond to It
This might be the most important shift.
You don’t need to fix your painting.
You don’t need to get it right.
You don’t need to start over.
You can stay with it.
You can respond to what’s already there. You can make one small decision at a time.
And slowly, the piece begins to come together.
💛 A Final Thought
Creativity takes courage—not because you have to be perfect, but because you have to keep going.
So the next time you’re painting and something feels off…
Pause. Look at it. Ask what it needs.
And then take the next step.
Your story is still unfolding.
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