Each person will create four collage’s – 6″ x 6″ on a page in their sketchbook. Using images from magazines, original drawings and words each collage should answer one of the following:
1.Where do you get your inner strength? What is your inspiration? Who or what helps you?
2. What is your family talent, skill or specialty?
3.What keeps you in your community? What do you like best about your home or neighborhood?
4.What do you personally contribute to your community?
Collage: Trace the 6″ x 6″” template – one on each page with the questions on the top of the page. List four answers to the questions. Complete a collage that illustrate each answer.
Painting: Based on this exploration complete a drawing/painting on paper provided incorporating these images as well as your self portrait (head a shoulders). Use the picture of yourself (provided by your Instructor) as reference.
The drawing provides the basic composition- the structure for the painting. Be sure to include elements from the four questions (at least one “symbol”) in the background. Break all borders. Portraits are to be centered but do not need to be full front.
The painting provides the color – clarifying the content. All color is to be created…mixed new – no color “straight out of the tube”. Maintain your personal space of paint palette and brushes, water and paper towels. Complete the background first. All color needs to be manipulated creating value changes – no flat color. Repeat color throughout the painting.
The portrait needs to be compositionally correct resulting in a “realistic” portrait. The color can be unreal but must show variation suggesting shading (3D).
Complete the under-painting within first two-three days. Complete the full painting with additional layers – glazes and additional blended color on top of under-painting withing two-three additional days.
The last day put in details and balance out the color throughout. Clean up sloppy and weak paint .
Artist Statement: Due the day your portrait is completed/turned in – send an email to colson@isd2142.k12.mn.us with a brief written statement that includes the following. Please use complete sentence structure, correct grammar and spelling, capitalization and punctuation.*
- What did you intend to show in your painting. Refer to at least four things you included in your composition from your four collages.
- What personal decisions-making did you engage in when making choices about what to do?
- What did you become aware of while completing your self portrait? What did you learn about your self?
*Points off for poor writing.
Lesson based on painting lesson by Karen Savage-Blue at CBAI Workshop, Summer 2012
Portrait completes by Ms. Olson during the workshop.
