Studio Art

Monochromatic Self-Portrait

Students are invited to create an expressive self portrait inspired by graphic artist Shepard Fairey. Using a monochromatic color pallet, students manipulate their reference images in Adobe Photoshop while learning to understand images in value scale. They learn about composition and dramatic lighting while taking their own reference photo and about acrylic painting methods. The students are encouraged to express something about themselves with their portrait. Students included objects like a guitar or paintbrush or chose to make a fun or silly expression.

Planning and Process

Students are guided through the process of taking and editing their own self portrait. They break the image up into areas of value and transfer their image onto canvas board. Next students learn to create their own monochromatic color pallet and carefully assign colors to value areas. Exercises in color mixing and brush technique are also facilitated.

Finished Work

Students are invited to use a complimentary or analogous color in the background.