Final brief- Self Portrait

As part of our drawing for illustration project we were to create a final larger drawing based on the idea of self portrait. The idea of the illustration was to show the subject at home or in an environment that is personal to the model. In this brief we were required ti think about the following elements: framing, shape, silhouette, light and shadow, three-dimensional space, form and foreshortening, pattern and colour. These are all different things we learnt during this module therefore it was time ti put these together to create a final portrait that shows are newly learnt skills and style. 

I began my process by drawing sketches of ideas, originality I wanted to create a sketch as seen below. However, this would involve me constantly referring to a photo rather than from life (or a mirror). Although I like this sketch I also felt the style felt too similar to my summer self portrait therefore I wanted to move forward and experiment with something different. 

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Therefore moving forward I began by taking a range of emirror style photos of myself shown in a seated possession perched on the end of an arm chair. I felt this had an interesting viewpoint and allowed me to capture myself in an environment. Although I took photos I did sit and draw from life, I used these photos as references to look to whenever my position would need to change during the drawing process. Below shows a  contact sheet of all the mirror photos taken, I chose thea last picture as I liked the angle at which my face was facing as felt it had an unu gsual element. Whilst tak
ing these photos I experimented with the table lamp behind me moving it in different places to cast different shadows to create a contrast.

Once I had my chosen pose I began by creating my main sketch which I would then develop my drawing from. I began by creating a skeleton base learnt from the form and foreshortening lesson. This allowed me to create a guide for the pose whilst sticking to proportions Once I was happy with this sketch I started building it up adding more details, features and skin. I also began adding a range of colour swatches taken from the chosen photo. I chose to do this as by using these colours in my drawing I'm creating a connection between the real image and also my own drawing making it seem more realistic. I was happy with this sketch as felt it showed clear example of overlapping forms and foreshortening, for example in both arms and also the leg that is folded beneath the leg. These became tricky to do when thinking about how these could be drawn and yet shown to look realistic. However, by using the skeleton base I was able to create the proportions correctly. 

From here I began to add the layers of digital media to create my drawing. I chose to work digitally as I felt it best suited my ideas however, I was aware I need to make this look traditional therefore, I used a range of painterly digital brushes, all of which show texture and add a different almost oil paint style to the drawing. 

Above shows my final digital painting for the self portrait project. I chose to change the background from the photo as I felt it did not truly reflect my personality. Therefore instead I added a dusty pink which is contrasted to the rich greens of the house plants that surround me. I chose to add these house plants as I feel they add to the environment whilst also showing my love for them and gardening. As well as the plant I also used a paler pink to act as an abstract frame. I wanted to think about the idea of framing and how it could be used to pull the viewer into the drawing, therefore I created this abstract style outline in which highlights the objects and myself. I feel this is successful and works for the style I wanted to produce as well as adding to the environment. I also made sure to focus on the shadows and light in this drawing by using rich darker tones on all parts of the body. The style in which I used to do this was different from my usual and pushed me out of my comfort zone. For this I wanted to work in a traditional painterly style with a semi abstract feel, therefore as you can see on the arms the shadows are unblended and give that sense of texture to the image. I like the outcome of this and feel it is effective for the overall piece. Swell I also focused on the other elements as mentioned in the brief making sure to think about colour and pattern, and how these can be used to add to the painting. 

Overall I am really happy with the outcome of this final image as I feel it captures all the elements of this project as specified in the brief, swell as capturing myself and my personality shown within the surrounding environment.