Embedded Files
Narrative Self Portrait
Narrative Self Portrait
Areas of focus: emphasis, proportion, figure ground relationship, balance, contrast, rhythm
Areas of focus: emphasis, proportion, figure ground relationship, balance, contrast, rhythm
Goal: Create an artwork that utilizes the computer to enhance your self-portrait to communicate an aspect of your personality. Strive to use a creative composition through foreshortening or forced perspective.
Process:
1. In your sketchbook, create a mind-map of various ideas for your drawing. Suggested areas to explore; investigate what you feel compelled to:
-how you spend your time -jobs
-hobbies -responsibilities
-what makes you unique -daily routines
-heritage or culture -fears
-insecurities -goals
Like the above effect? Then check out this tutorial.
2. Select your three strongest ideas, create thumbnail sketches for how you would lay out your composition. While sketching, be creative with the perspective you use (foreshortening, worm’s eye or bird’s eye view). Play with reflections and using the environment to create leading lines within your work. How can you get your audience to see your idea in a different and interesting perspective. AP auditors love to see you investigate composition in this way! Use this knowledge to your advantage!
3. Conference with a classmate about your thumbnail sketches. Which sketches have the most interesting use of space and depth of field. Which sketches are they most drawn to and why? Are they drawn to the content you are expressing or the composition you are using? How can you strengthen the weaker of the two components (content or composition) discussed in your peer critique?
4. What computer effects are you planning to use to enhance your portrait? Check out the tutorials on this page. Would any of them help to communicate an aspect of your personality? If not, find an effect that will assist you. There are countless tutorials on the internet that you can check out on your own.
5. Enlist a classmate or friend to help you take any needed reference photos for your final self-portrait composition. Be sure to include any props that may be needed.
6. On your final piece, you will work with a gray scale or limited color pallet? Your color choices will add to the emotional quality of your work. Try to allow your work to take on a tonal quality that matches your chosen theme from your mind-map. Use the color theory crash course below as a reminder of how to limit your color pallet.
Here are some resources for portrait effect tutorials. Don't like any of them? That's okay...there are a many more on the internet for you to find!
Report abuse