Research Topic - Fall 2015

For the Fall semester of 2015, I have to research a topic in art. For this, I've chosen to dig deeper into what specifically makes a drawing or illustration evoke feelings of terror in the viewer.

This could be particularly useful to me in the future, as I'm wanting to make a webcomic that features demons, and knowing how to make something elicit feelings of unease or fright in my readers could enhance my work.

I've heard people say about a picture "Oh, that's scary" but they never really give a specific reason why. I'm hoping to break it down and find out which particular elements cause those feelings.

Personally, I'm intrigued by the dark and macabre, and get a thrill out of horror movies and scary stories. I'm curious about why I feel these things, too, and how a simple image that can't harm me in any way can cause such a panicked reaction.