Expressionistic Self-Portrait

For this project the goal was to create a self-potrait expressing our emotions. Our staring material was paint sticks but we had the opportunity to add any other media on top of it. First we generated words we had experienced recently. I wrote "happy, confused, sad, stressed". I used a mirror and a paint stick and went to work. It was really hard to use the paint sticks because you don't have a lot of control over the lines. This was frustrating to me because I tend to like my art on the more refined side. I originally used colored paint sticks to draw myself but I decided I didn't like that so I started over and just used a black paint stick...I felt like it also matched my mood that day although not so much my original words.

After quickly sketching my face I went back in with fine point pens to create a cross-hatch pattern. I started out with just red to contrast the black but I decided that the pop of color wasn't enough. I still wanted to keep it very simple so I stuck to the primary colors. I really like the cross-hatching I think it forces the viewer to come closer. I knew I had to add a background to activate the negative space. I struggled to come up with ideas. Eventually I decided on cutting strips of newspaper to keep with this grid pattern I had created in my face. I laid the strips out first to arrange them how I wanted and then used a glue stick to glue them down. After I did this I realized I didn't put a border (something you should always do!). I decided to again keep with this overlapping grid pattern and created the border right on top of the newspaper. I took a step back and viewed my work. Ms. Medsker suggested that I go back in to darken the lines on my face because the piece was overall very light. I was at first hesitant to do this but realized she was right. I used oil pastels because the tips are smaller so I would have more control. I just went back in and darkened most of my lines, especailly the ones in my hair.

Overall I am happy with the finished product. This project was definitely out of my comfort zone. It forced me to go with the flow. I don't think my original words are reflected in my work but I've come up with new words I associate with my drawing: "confined, trapped". The crosshatching around the face is very tight, almost restraining. I didn't realize this until after but my piece resembles Taylor Swift's new album cover. I'm not sure I would want to do this project again but I am satisfied with what I created.