Art 131-Digital Self Portrait

Autumn Quarter 2003
M/W 8:30am-11:20am
Instructor: Karen Gutowsky

Digital Self Portrait

Materials: Adobe Illustrator/Painter, Photoshop, mirror

Objective: Exploration of drawing tools in two applications (vector and bit), experimentation with variations of touch, texture and line.

Technical Explorations:
–drawing in a bitmap environment
–drawing in a vector environment
–printing black and white drawings
–composition at a large scale

Process:
Start with a new Adobe Illustrator file that is 8 x 8 inches and 150 ppi. Using a hand mirror, create a 3/4 view self-portrait in contour that hits all four edges of your image frame. Work only in black and white. Consider line quality, value, pattern and textures.
Go to an extreme level of detail with one of your features. Work for at least 30 minutes, going for the most authentic, surprising form you can. Save the first drawing before moving onto the next one. Start this process over using different tools and effects in Illustrator. Create a total of 4-6 sketches for example 3/4 view, straight on, odd angle, isolated body part. Print sketches on black and white laser printer.

Sketches will be reviewed Monday, October 6th at the beginning of class.

For Wednesday bring 4-6 digital photos of self that relate or contrast to self portrait sketches. During lab you will work in Photoshop to integrate and combine vector and bitmap images. Focus on composition, pattern/texture, depth and contrast.

4-6 combined sketches will be reviewed Monday, October 13th at the beginning of class. *Large scale (24 x 24 inches) b/w output of one combined image due the following Monday, October 20th.