Value Portraits!

1. Explain the process you went through to develop your drawing.

-We first went and took pictures of ourselves in black&white so we could see the different dark and light color in the picture. We then traced the basic shapes of the faces, then also traced the values in the person's face who we were drawing. We then transferred the drawing onto paper and went on to complete the outline and shade the rest of the values.

2. Explain how you found the different values in the portrait?

-We took the pictures and transfer paper and held them up to light from a window. Then we traced the basic values, both dark and light. The face ended up looking a bit like a butchered pizza, but after careful shading, and a bit more sketching, it turned out quite well!

3.  Did you achieve a full range of the different values within your portrait?  How?

-Earlier that week, we made a portable value chart which we got to use for reference during the project, which was very helpful.  I think I could have added more darks to my portrait, but other than that I think it turned out pretty well.

4. Describe your craftsmanship.  Is the artwork executed and crafted neatly?

-I think I definitely could have neatened up some edges during the process, and made some contrasts more defined. I also could have spent more time making sure to include all of the various values. Overall, I think it was fairly neat and well put together.

5. List any obstacles you had to overcome and how you dealt with them.

-When I was coloring the back of the tranfer page, I made it way too dark to the point where I couldn't see the lines on the other side of the paper I needed to trace. To fix this, I had to hold it back up to the window while I darkened the lines and then transfered it.

Questions for Projects:

1. Describe your overall thoughts on the final piece.

 I thought that this project was overall a fun and creative way to experiment with shading and blending. The oil pastels were a nice way to help demonstrate the blending of colors, but were quite messy!

2. If this was a group project, what was your contribution?

 N/A

3. How successful do you feel this piece is and why?

I feel pretty successful after completing this piece, though the blending of colors wasn't as great as I would hope it to be. I think the colors I chose might have been harder to blend together, so next time I might chose different ones.

4. What worked about this project? What didn’t work? The contrast between the black paper and the vibrant oil pastels turned out to be quite appealing, and I think it looked very well. What didn't work would have to be some of the colors I was trying to blend didn't quite want to be mixed together and it looked quite choppy.

5. If you were to do this project over again, what changes would you consider making?

I would probably change the colors I used and maybe try harder to blend them better. I would also make sure to try to create the 3D effect more by making sure to use darker color in the back of the object.

6. What was the most difficult part about completing this piece and why?
 I think the most difficult part would have to be the shading. I don't feel as though I completely mixed them enough, it still looked kind of uneven.


7. What did you learn from this piece?
I learned that you can create a 3D object with just a bit of color and a LOT of blending and shading!


Emily L. Period 1