sustained investigation #6

The sixth investigation into using reclaimed materials in my artwork led to the creation of a self-portrait on a shingle. This was from an angle looking upwards at my face. This is another self-portrait so the subject matter is me, and thus has a connection to me. I chose to use this photo because the perspective was interesting and it had some good contrast.

This project involved a lot of experimentation with materials. I used ink, acrylic, and spray paint to create the finished portrait. The face is mostly done in ink that I faded out to create value. I used white acrylic that I watered down to show highlights on the face and hair. The background was done in acrylic and spray paint. I started by doing a green wash of watered down acrylic and then I spray painted over that. I used a mesh bag as a stencil to create the lattice pattern of the spray paint.

Color and value were processes that I used to create this portrait. There are many different values ranging from black to white highlights displayed on the face and hair. When choosing my color I wanted something that would contrast the green in the background and I landed on the bright orange spray paint. This project evolved by getting an increasingly complex and strange background. I kept adding things and eventually spray painted over all of them. I was trying to allow the things to be seen through the spray paint, but it is difficult in spots to see under the spray paint. My next step with this project could be to add more to the background. It does seem to be compete though.