PROJECT 05: Self-Portrait in Greyscale. Using B/W Acrylic Paints (refer back to your value scales)

Project Description

Create a 9" x 12" self-portrait or portrait of classmate in B/W Acrylic applying the value scales you just finished. You may use one or a combination of a couple of tools to create a well executed portrait using a good range of gray scale value system.

Have fun with expressions, angles, framing to create a unique image to draw out for your 4 thumbnail sketches and keep in mind, you will select one of the four images you worked through as your final composition. be creative. 

Practice using a value scale in graphite, or pen/marker using clean cross hatch or hatch lines. Use the value scale you created as a reference to achieve 9 different values in your composition. 

There will be no blending/shading of paint with this assignment, instead break the image down into shapes that represent the changes in value. You will be creating solid shapes (blocking out fields) each value in the gray value scales. there will be 9 value distinctions in the final compositions. 

Be very aware of your placement, layout, figure ground, cropping, interesting angles and vantage points. Be creative in how you create your self portrait. Use lighting to create more dramatic shadows, mid tones and highlights. be aware of your light source and how it plays with the details on your face when mapping out the value fields. 


Value Scale Technique - Training Videos

Important for creatig value scale in pencil: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QD0CUfL_pQ



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WowABJEpm1c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-jkKJmSW_8

Class Schedule

Homework Due in class on October 16 / October 17
1. Create four  distinct/different comprehensive sketches showing unique options for your portrait. Use cropping, directional light source, and framal reference, to create the most dynamic and interesting composition possible. If you need to do more sketches to resolve your piece, you will have to do more than just four. 

Do not limit yourself if you are still not satisfied with the direction of your portrait. 

2. Have your final composition drawn out on 9" x 12" bristol board, and map and block out all the fields values ranging from black (#9) to white (#1). 

Note: You will receive a full project grade on your homework meaning your 4 different sketches and studies. This will be reviewed and graded at the beginning of class.

Class work-time (October  18 / October 19)
You will have the full class time to select and work on creating your final portrait. This assignment will be worked on  during class time. Be sure to use your studio time well. and be productive. you will also ALWAYS receive a class grade based on your productivity in each class. Use your time wisely. everything is worked into your final project grade and class grade.

Note: Assignments will be collected and graded at end of class.

Critique (Oct 23  / Oct 24)
Please hang work and be prepared to start critique at beginning of class.  This will be a quick critique. We will start on the next project for the second half of the class.

Rubric

You will be assessed on the overall composition (dynamic and interesting), craftsmanship (even  surface with good tonal value fields using value as highlights, mid tones and shadows, clean edges on paper, no marks/dirt on paper), and range of value (full range of values from black to white- with 9 steps). Use continuous even lights mediums darks shades on each field that you black out. 

Student Examples