Project 1: Self-Portrait

-Week 7&8-

(5.10.2021&12.10.2021)

Design Principles

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Topic: Self-portrait

Learning Outcome:

SELF-PORTRAIT is a self-representation in the form of a drawing/ painting/ sculpture/design. For artists, self-portrait artwork represents the whole artist-in other words, how he sees himself, what he's feeling. and how wants to be seen by others. It's not necessarily about creating a realistic image of yourself, instead, it's often an exercise in self-exploration. 

Vincent Van Gogh Self-portrait

Elly Smallwood Self-portrait

Before we start to create a self-portrait, we can write down our hobbies, interest, experience, goals, etc by using a mind map. This may help us know ourselves and self-exploration.

mind map sample

Visual Research:

Idea exploration:

Mind map about me

I want to try a Cubist self-portrait and also make it colorful since life is colorful.

For the background, I would like to draw some of my hobbies or interests.

Sketch 1

Feedback by lecture:

Ms. Jinchi suggested me to do more research to figure out what I want to draw. She also shows me some samples of cubism art and some similar Picasso or abstract fauvist art. Then, she also want me to figure what interest I want to draw inside my self-portrait.

After that, I do some research on Picasso art, cubism art and fauvism art. 

I realized that what I want to do is not cubism art. 

I would like to try a Picasso self-portrait with fauvism color theory. 

I decided to draw some music notes in the self-portrait since I like listen to music.

my picture

Sketch 2

Detail for sketch 2

I want to draw myself focus on something, maybe is studying or trying to figure out design's idea since I am holding my head in the picture. And also, I would like to draw a side profile that shows I enjoy listening to music very well. 

Sketch 3

I think the picture might look more enjoyable if the side profile's eye is closed. I also do a slight change to make the lips smile at the side profile.

Fauvism color theory

I would like to use cold colors for the front profile while warm colors for the side profile.

The reason for this decision is front side looks confuse (sad) or focus (calm) on something while the side profile enjoys listening to music looks happy.

------------FINAL RESULT------------

The front profile expressed confusion when I trying to figure out some ideas for my design with cold colors. While the side profile expressed enjoyment and happiness when I listened to music with warm colors. This self-portrait also showed the moment how I relax myself when I feel stress.

There are also some design principles apply in this self-portrait.

1. Contrast between the color and face expression.

2. Movement flows from the music notes to the hair.

3. Gestalt theory(ground-figure): we can see the front and side profile in a face. 

4. Repetition with line pattern on the hair 

REFLECTION:

I enjoy doing this project since it is interesting. And also, I had try to apply some design principles in this project. This project reminded me of the moment that I was doing homework. I think I should do more research before I start to create a design to help myself to figure out what I want.