While I love Thanksgiving, I find the traditional menu lacking in what food scientists call dynamic contrast. Dynamic contrast is when there’s a range of sensory experiences in each bite, combining different textures, flavors, and/or temperature. Think salted caramel ice cream with a crumble on top or a slice of cheesy pizza—there’s so much contrast and variation in each bite which keeps you coming back for more.
I find variation in well-told stories does the same thing—it keeps me turning the page.
When making graphic novels, I think of contrast in terms of:
Shot types: Using a variety of camera angles and shots (a closeup versus wide shot, high angle versus low) keeps it interesting and also has a major impact on the mood of the scene.
Characters: Making your characters distinct from each other, both in terms of how they look, but also in terms of their personalities. Differences make it more interesting, easier to distinguish the characters from each other, and increases tension in the story.
Color/tone: Using variety of colors and tones in different scenes will help lead the reader through various emotions and is a great tool to emphasize big shifts in the story.
Pacing: Varying the pacing is hugely important in storytelling to keep the reader engaged. For example, after an intense action scene, the reader might crave a break.
Of course, there are always exceptions to these when creators hit the same note and it works, but I tend to prefer contrast in the stories I read or write.
Let me know in the comments: What sort of contrasts do you think about in story or art? Or what creators do this especially well?
Best Book of 2025!
My graphic novel adaptation of Tuck Everlasting was named one of School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2025! Woohooo!
It makes a great holiday gift for kids… just saying :)
Book Event
On November 29, I’ll be moderating Trung Le Nguyen’s talk about his fantastic new graphic novel Angelica and the Bear Prince. Trung’s Magic Fish is one of my favorite books of all time for children, so I’m thrilled to get to chat with him about his newest graphic novel!
We’ll be at Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Minnesota and you can RSVP here.
Leif Love
Leif, our vizsla, in his natural environment.
Watch the Replay of K’s Kettle: Haiku Comics
Every third Tuesday of the month, at 2 pm CST, I lead K’s Kettle: A Cozy Hour of Comic-Making where we gather on Zoom and make art together. This week we made Haiku comics—the one I made is above.
If you’re a paid subscriber, you can draw along using the replay below.
