Module 15 - Self Portrait

My three inspirational choices:

Artist: Rembrandt
Title of work: Self Portrait with Velvet Beret
Media: Oil on Oak Wood
Date: 1634
Size: 47.5 x 58.3 cm
 Source of picture (URL): https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/u/0/user-gallery/pwLCl2yb0RpEKw?projectId=art-project&position=0%3A4

Artist: Diego Rivera
Title of work: Self Portrait
Media: Watercolor on Paper
Date: 1954
Size: 261 x 295 mm
 Source of picture (URL): https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/u/0/user-gallery/pwLCl2yb0RpEKw?projectId=art-project&position=0%3A4

Artist: Vincent van Gogh
Title of work: Self Portrait, 1887
Media: Oil on Artist’s Board
Date: 1887
Size: 41 x 32.5 cm
 Source of picture (URL): https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/u/0/user-gallery/pwLCl2yb0RpEKw?projectId=art-project&position=0%3A4

Artist: Walter Sidor
Title of work: Self Portrait,
Media: Lead on Paper
Date: 2016

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?

I picked the 3 inspirational pieces because this is what I think of when I think of a self portrait.  I

think of a painting version of a what a picture would look like.  Also, just the head to torso, not the whole body and nothing behind it other a background. 

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?

I picked pencil on paper because, like the answer to the first question, this is what I think of as a self portrait, a picture that is drawn.  For reasons of my personal skill set, I choose to keep it black and white and not use paint or other medium.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?

My biggest and really only challenge was to draw the portrait to look like myself.  Drawing facial features has always been a skill to elude me and I never agree that it actually looks like what I want it to look like.

4. How does this piece represent you?

I think it represents me well.  I usually wear a hat of some kind so I choose to take the picture with me wearing a hat.  My facial features I did to the best of my ability.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?

I used shading with the pencil to have different levels of black to show different shades of myself.  I used line to show where my eyes were directing the viewer.  That is what I believe I used.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?

I did enjoy this.  As I’ve said a few times in this response and other blog postings, I have always struggled drawing faces and the practice and taking my time help me work on it and get a little confidence.

7. What do you think of your final artwork?

I’m certainly happy with the final product, it’s something I can look back on in the future.