The difference between narrative art and fine art

I’ve been reading a lot about narrative art and fine art recently. It’s been a part of the process of me finding what i want to do and try to steer clear of distraction.

I’ve found that the consensus is that narrative art and fine art differ primarily in their purpose and approach. Narrative art aims to tell a specific story through visual means, incorporating characters, actions, and detailed scenes to convey the narrative clearly. Examples include the ancient Egyptian murals.

In contrast, fine art focuses on expressing ideas, emotions, or beauty, without necessarily telling a story. It can range from realistic to abstract and emphasizes artistic techniques like brush strokes and composition. Famous examples of fine art include the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh.

While narrative art is often clear and direct, showing emotions through the actions and expressions of characters, fine art is open to multiple interpretations and evokes emotions through its use of color, form, and other artistic elements. Despite these differences, some artworks blend elements of both, combining storytelling with artistic expression.

In summary, narrative art is centred on storytelling with clear, detailed scenes, whereas fine art focuses on the artist's expression and is open to varied interpretations, showcasing the diverse ways artists communicate and express themselves. A clear indication of their own voice.

This is a very thought provoking discovery for me, which makes me realise I am more drawn to the narrative than to the fine art aspect of illustration. I love to tell stories, but don’t necessarily care for the use of color, form or other artistic elements. They are secondary to me. However, I will need to develop this aspect of my work in order to move forward.