SELF-PORTRAIT, VALUE (collage)

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Artists to research:
Chuck Close
Video 1
Video 2
Video 4
Video 3
Video 5

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Concept:

Using only newspaper(s), construct a life-size self portrait. This project focuses on modeling using value and shape. This project also allows prepares you to view the world through an abstracted vision of shape, space, and form (which I call, the eye of an artist). An artist can deconstruct a whole into parts, and can also construct parts into a whole. An artist also has the vision to see these parts separated within the whole, and can see a whole within the parts. This ability is not intuitive, but comes from practice and constant looking. This project will exercise the skills needed to succeed within all disciplines of the arts.

Collage: (From the French: coller, to glue) is a work of formal art, primarily in the visual arts, made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole.A collage may include newspaper clippings, ribbons, bits of colored or hand-made papers, portions of other artwork, photographs, a piece of moss or even a dead mole and other found objects, glued to a piece of paper or canvas. The origins of collage can be traced back hundreds of years, but this technique made a dramatic reappearance in the early 20th century as an art form of novelty.The term collage derives from the French "coller" meaning "glue".[1] This term was coined by both Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso in the beginning of the 20th century when collage became a distinctive part of modern art.

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Materials:

Sketch Pad
Pencil(s)
Illustration Board (hot or cold pressed), Canvas size: 20 x 30 inches, Image size (to be determined in class)
news papers
Brushes
Measuring tools
Glues (Elmer's: you can water down elmer's glue and apply with a brush. Rubber Cement will give you a clean look because you can clean the excess glue. Gel Matt Medium: allows you to layer and work quickly (the gel medium will also give your work a clear shellac-like surface). The gel medium will darken the values slightly similar to a wet look.

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Approach:

First collect newspapers (no color). Organize the newspaper into 6 values (#1 through #6, where #1 is the lightest and #6 is the darkest). When you begin to separate your newspaper(s) into 6 values, walk a distance away from the section and blur your vision (this will help you to see only value). For example, an article where there is just text could read as a #2 or #3 value form a distance; whereas, an dark advertisement may read as a number #5 or #6 value. You may rip or cut the paper into random shapes when separating your values. I recommend using plastic bags to separate the values long before you begin to glue the paper down to the illustration board. It is much easier and time efficient to work with all your values organized in front of you. I will demonstrate in class how to enlarge your self portrait using close to perfect proportions and value applications. Once you glue your first layer down you will continue to add multiple layers possibly toward a very high resolution. Every once in a while walk away from your image and look back from a distance. Like spotting value, you will be able to see the shapes as a whole and soon enough a self portrait. You will be surprised how far you can take this project. Good luck!!

 

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Grading:

Concept
-Are you following the concept of the project?
Craftsmanship
- Neatness, precision, Intelligent and crafty use of the medium (no distractions from craftsmanship errors)
Creativity
-Originality, problem solving, innovation
Composition (overall design)
Does your work feel balanced and unified (whole)?
Completion
-Does the project seem complete, developed/evolved, and well executed?

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