Materials:

-Charcoal, compressed and vine
-Charcoal pencils
-Conte crayons
-Pencils
-All materials to manipulate the mediums. Ex: kneaded eraser, paper napkin, etc.

Subject Matter:

Yourself: your final project will be a series of self-portraits. You may include more objects / images for conceptual purposes in the latter parts of the project.

Objective:

You are to develop a body of work based on self-portraits. A body of work demonstrates a succession/ development of ideas and approaches that encompass visible connections. In this project each drawing becomes more explored and developed than the one before; you will utilize all concepts and mediums covered in class. When creating your image I want you to think about the relationship of positive and negative space. Think about how one shape creates another. At all times I want you to measure and sight for accurate proportions. Emphasize creativity through experimenting / exploring mediums and ideas. Ask yourself, “does this image work as a whole? What ties all the elements together? If not, what elements can I add or edit out to achieve a unified image?” Remember you are not a camera dictating all that you see. You are creating an image by exploiting several visual elements: positive shape, negative, shape, shadows of shapes, etc. Consider filling in a shape, outlining a shape, or both. Think of yourself as a vehicle to create an image. Remember to experiment and manipulate the medium: use your kneaded eraser, paper napkin, fingers, anything, etc. Get dirty, creative, and have fun.

This will include 6 drawings:

1-Angular structure (planes): Contour drawing (straight line only) concentrate only on the planes of your face (Form and Structure). Basic front view / mug shot. Notice the symmetry of your face. In-class.
2-Angular structure (planes) II: Repeat the same process, but turn your profile a quarter turn. At-home
3- Chiaroscuro: Try a different angle to your face. Use a strong light source. Apply value. In-class demonstrate in class.
4-Continuous line: Continuous Contour-line drawing (never let your pencil (4B) leave the surface of the paper. Explore how line can build value? In-Class
5-Layering: Apply a vine charcoal ground to your paper, and then draw a silhouette of yourself using compressed charcoal. On top of the silhouette, draw a contour line drawing using a white charcoal pencil. The contour line can be any style: blind, continuous, angular, organizational, erratic, etc. Consider another layer on top of that. Consider size and scale to create spatial depth and ambiguity. (Make different sized portraits within the same image). At-home
6-Final version: continue an idea(s) from above into a highly evolved and developed image.

* You must use a mirror, no working from photographs. Attempt to try something different every time (different angles and light source). Work and manipulate the medium(s). Become very involved with this project. Use line, value, shape, form, and utilize your vocabulary of mark making (experiment). NO COLOR: use only materials we used in class, and or similar materials.

You will be evaluated by:
*Creativity: ability to push an idea and or medium to a higher level.
*Composition: ability to demonstrate cohesive composition
*Concept: understanding the project and executing your ideas visually and verbally.
*Craftsmanship: technical ability, presentation.
*Completion: time spent, developed image into a unified whole

Have fun, and work hard.