Torn Paper Self Portraits
LESSON BACKGROUND
This lesson began with inspiration from portrait artist Chuck Close. Students learned about Close's process, including gridding and working square by square. Students began with a gridded drawing lesson. The class took "Selfies", or self-portraits, and enlarged them proportionally by using a gridded drawing system. The students then created a monochromatic scale with paint to identify colors to look for as they tore magazine pages. Students identified areas of value and connected them to the coordinating swatch on their value scale, and applied magazine cutouts to create the color in their portraits. Some students worked monochromatically with just one hue, while others included multiple hues in their artwork. The project took about four weeks of class time, and the technical skills the students were evaluated on were value matching, rendering, and craftsmanship. Interdisciplinary connections: Math (Proportion) R: Chuck Close, Lucas I. Oil on Canvas, 1987. |
Lesson Materials
torn_paper_portraits.docx | |
File Size: | 128 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Example Student Work
EXCEEDS STANDARD
This student shows excellent skill in many aspects of the lesson. The rendering of the drawing is skillfully done, showing that he was able to use the gridding method to enlarge a drawing proportionally. His ability to choose and identify values is also evident in looking at the portrait. He establishes edges and corners of the portrait by juxtaposing two values next to each other instead of using outlining as a tool. The subtle nuances in the value also demonstrate a keen awareness of how light falls over a form. In the forehead, eyes, and cheeks especially, he uses light and dark to create the form instead of simply filling in the face. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and he shows control over the tearing and pasting of paper. His magazine pieces are quite small, which allows for more detail to be recorded. In all, this student demonstrates excellence across the lesson, and his piece exceeds the standards. This piece was a Silver Key winner at the Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards.
This student shows excellent skill in many aspects of the lesson. The rendering of the drawing is skillfully done, showing that he was able to use the gridding method to enlarge a drawing proportionally. His ability to choose and identify values is also evident in looking at the portrait. He establishes edges and corners of the portrait by juxtaposing two values next to each other instead of using outlining as a tool. The subtle nuances in the value also demonstrate a keen awareness of how light falls over a form. In the forehead, eyes, and cheeks especially, he uses light and dark to create the form instead of simply filling in the face. The craftsmanship is exquisite, and he shows control over the tearing and pasting of paper. His magazine pieces are quite small, which allows for more detail to be recorded. In all, this student demonstrates excellence across the lesson, and his piece exceeds the standards. This piece was a Silver Key winner at the Rhode Island Scholastic Art Awards.
MEETS STANDARD
This student's artwork meets the standards of the lesson. She was successful in drawing her portrait proportionally. She chose values appropriately, but there are some places that seem flat, such as in the forehead, nose, and cheeks. She begins to use outline as a tool as well, instead of letting the juxtaposition of values create the form. The piece was constructed with care and control, though her larger pieces tend to prevent her from establishing detail.
This student's artwork meets the standards of the lesson. She was successful in drawing her portrait proportionally. She chose values appropriately, but there are some places that seem flat, such as in the forehead, nose, and cheeks. She begins to use outline as a tool as well, instead of letting the juxtaposition of values create the form. The piece was constructed with care and control, though her larger pieces tend to prevent her from establishing detail.
APPROACHES STANDARD
This piece is approaching the standards of the lesson. The student was somewhat successful in rendering a proportionate self-portrait, though some features are skewed. Although he tries to match and utilize the correct values, he applies large pieces of paper that prevent him from establishing details that could make his portrait more descriptive. For instance, the hand under the chin can hardly be recognized as a hand. The student would have found more success with smaller pieces and more patience.
This piece is approaching the standards of the lesson. The student was somewhat successful in rendering a proportionate self-portrait, though some features are skewed. Although he tries to match and utilize the correct values, he applies large pieces of paper that prevent him from establishing details that could make his portrait more descriptive. For instance, the hand under the chin can hardly be recognized as a hand. The student would have found more success with smaller pieces and more patience.