Self Portraits

1484 - Present

As you look at these self-portraits, take not of the following:

• The light source- direction of light and intensity.

• The emotion the artist is expressing in their face

Durer age 13

Da Vinci

Rembrandt 1628-9

Degas Self portrait

Mary Cassatt

Van Gogh

Picasso

Chuck Close

Student Examples

1) Have picture taken of yourself, with strong side light. Try to transmit a feeling or mood.

2) Make a value study: Divide a strip of paper into 8 rectangles. Try to create a smooth range of shades going from white to black, using charcoal.

3) Make a grid on your photo- 8” x 10”. (10 one inch squares up and 8 across)

4) Now make a 12” x 15”grid on your paper. (10 1.5 inch square up and 8 1.5” squares across.)

5) Use a pencil to LIGHTLY outline your head and face. LIGHTLY and no shading.

6) Now use a 1” x 1” viewfinder and square by square, begin to add charcoal to your drawing. Look only at shadow and light. NO LINES. Blending.

SELF PORTRAIT IN CHARCOAL WITH STRONG LIGHT