Material-Based Portrait

Artist Statement:

This project required us to create a Material-Based Portrait, one where the materials we used related to our chosen subject. I chose my Papa, and used a shelf mushroom that he had given to me years ago (he is a very outdoorsy person). I thought this would be a really cool and unique medium to go off of that would also meet the requirements of the assignment. I wanted the picture to be of him kayaking as well, as this is something he does every day. 

The primary medium that was involved in this project was the shelf mushroom. To create the image on it, I mostly used India ink. To create some highlights, I also carved into the mushroom. Otherwise, I used a little gouache and watercolor to fill out the rest of my design. 

First, I started with my idea generation, where I settled on my subject (my Papa) and the materials I wanted to use. Then, I sketched a vague design for my final product. I tried sketching out the image on a piece of paper before sketching on the mushroom, but it wasn't going well, so I printed out the image and traced over it in a blind contour style with a pen. Then, I took transfer paper, and placing it on top of the mushroom, traced the image again so it reappeared on the mushroom. I went over this with Ink, as seen in progress photo #1. Then, I filled everything out with ink, creating shades on the shirt and colors on the kayak and paddle. To lighten the color of the kayak and paddle, I added white gouache which lightened them up and pulled the color of the ink with it (as seen in the progress photos 3 and 4).  Finally, I carved away fading lines in the background to mimic water.