My Day in Small Drawings: Write. Draw. Reflect.

Matilda Tristram's "My Day in Small Drawings" is a comic artist's guide to the radical potential of diary drawings, small writings, and comic strip creativity. It offers 52 prompts to inspire observational journeys, documenting and exploring oneself, the world around them, modern life, family and friends, and creating graphic narratives. The book weaves together observational, personal, overheard conversations, objects given a voice, locations, and memories to create a charming and cherished graphic narrative.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2021
Publisher: The Ivy Press

Diary comics offer a unique and powerful form of self-expression, allowing individuals to capture their personal stories, engage in conversations, and communicate ideas that may be difficult to express through words alone. By combining words and images, comic artists can create engaging and therapeutic narratives that connect with readers on a deeper level.

Diary comics can serve various purposes, from personal storytelling to political commentary. They can be used to explore one's own experiences, emotions, and thoughts, providing a therapeutic outlet for self-reflection. They can also be used to start conversations, raise awareness about social issues, and promote social change.

One of the key strengths of diary comics is their ability to convey complex ideas in a simple and accessible way. By using visual metaphors and storytelling techniques, comic artists can simplify complex concepts and make them more relatable to a wide audience. This makes diary comics an effective tool for promoting literacy and education, particularly among children and marginalized communities.

In addition to their creative and therapeutic benefits, diary comics can also be used as a political tool. They can be used to comment on current events, social injustices, and political systems, providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard. Diary comics can challenge dominant narratives and promote alternative perspectives, helping to foster a more inclusive and democratic society.

One example of a successful diary comic is "My Day in Small Drawings" by Matilda Tristram. This book offers an engaging and accessible introduction to the radical potential of diary drawings, small writings, and comic strip creativity. Tristram encourages readers to practice observation and active listening, and uses narrative and storytelling techniques to weave drawings and ideas together to craft a unique and delightful visual diary.

Throughout the book, Tristram provides tips on incorporating humour, developing a visual style, creating characters, and choosing pens and paper. She also offers 52 prompts to inspire readers' observational journey, covering topics such as oneself and one's home, the world around one, modern life, family and friends, and real and imagined worlds.

By adding text to images, readers can create their own graphic narratives, describing their real and imagined worlds in a personal and unique way. Diary comics offer a powerful tool for self-expression, storytelling, and social change, and have the potential to inspire and empower individuals to express themselves in new and innovative ways.

In conclusion, diary comics offer a unique and powerful form of self-expression that can be used for personal storytelling, political commentary, and social change. By combining words and images, comic artists can create engaging and therapeutic narratives that connect with readers on a deeper level. Whether used for personal reflection or to promote social change, diary comics have the potential to inspire and empower individuals to express themselves in new and innovative ways.

Weight: 328g
Dimension: 137 x 164 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780711266162