Discussion 6: Divided Self
This drawing introduces combining reality and imagination, and working from source images. It will build on the technique of cross contour from the beginning of this module,
Materials Needed
1 sheet 14″x17″ drawing paper
Graphite
White eraser
Click eraser
Initial Post
Your initial post will be a posted jpeg of your finished drawing. Complete the following steps to create your drawing:
After completing your texture sketchbook assignment and your divided self thumbnails sketchbook assignment, determine which texture or textures you will use in your portrait.
Take a selfie with a dynamic pose. Make sure to take your selfie under good lighting. If you have the capability to print this out on plain printer paper at a larger size, it will be helpful, but if you have to work from your phone or computer, that’s okay too.
Referring to your photo and thumbnails, sketch out the basic forms and contours of your portrait.
Use cross contour lines to map out the contours of your face. Determine to which areas you will add your texture. You should have about half your portrait true to life, and the other half the texture should appear to be a part of your body. This does not need to be an exact half and half. You don’t need to just divide your portrait down the center. Consider following a contour line to make a more natural progression from “reality” to “imagination”.
Draw in your texture, paying attention to contour, value, and mark. The size of your texture should vary based on the contours, and the value should also vary based on the overall form.
Pay attention to relative value – meaning that in areas of shadow, the value pattern within your texture will be darker overall, and in areas of highlight, the value pattern of your texture will be lighter overall.
Post finished final drawing to the discussion board.
Response Post
Respond to at least 4 peers, answering the following questions:
Is the composition dynamic? What adds to the quality of the composition?
How is the texture and figure integrated?
Does the texture feel dimensional, like you can imagine what it feels like?
What are your assumptions about this person based on the texture they have used?
What is the most successful component of the drawing? Where is an area that you are particularly intrigued by? What is the visual quality that creates or adds to that component? Use appropriate visual vocabulary.
What area could be improved? What visual quality detracts from the overall drawing? Use appropriate visual vocabulary.
Student examples provided by teacher: https://padlet.com/jessie_vanderlaan/drawingfinalprojects
https://padlet.com/jessie_vanderlaan/hiddenworld