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Writer's pictureAngela Valery
Nov 17, 20236 min read

Design Principles: Project 1 - Self-Portrait

18.01.2023 - 03.02.2023 (Week 2 - Week 4)

Angela Valery | 0348374

Design Principles | Bachelor of Mass Communication

Project 1 - Self-Portrait

 

Instructions

Figure 1 - refer to Page 6

 

TASK

Create a portrait of myself by applying the various principles that I had learnt through the past weeks.

 

PROJECT 1 | SELF-PORTRAIT

Recap:

Self-portrait allow us to investigate both historical and contemporary forms of self-expression and to review the design principles covered and thus better inform their particular direction.


Visual References:

Figure 2.1 (Left) - Self-Portrait by maria_ria

Figure 2.2 (Middle) - "Not A Virgin" by designideas.pics

Figure 2.3 (Right) - Self-Portrait by Ricky Linn


These three artworks from different artists has its very own style and I find it all interesting, from its colour palette, elements and how the subject is succeed to be the main focus.


Figure 2.4 (Left) - Self-Portrait by Ricky Linn

Figure 2.5 (Middle) - Self-Portrait by Ricky Linn

Figure 2.6 (Right) - Self-Portrait by Ricky Linn


Ricky Linn artworks inspires me to try an abstract style of art. It reminds me of how mixed media works. Combining different styles, different components and different materials in one frame. This can help me find my type of art by exploring different tools on Procreate and hope to finally came up with a style that I can really master in and comfortable to do. I can see a realistic blending, cartooned object, hair that is coloured with unblended chalk and sketched face using digital pencil. Although it may look incomplete in some ways, it is somehow succeed to create the illusion of a complete artwork from the overall look, like what it is called as the Gestalt Theory.


Figure 2.7 - Selfie of myself

Figure 2.8 - Irina Shayk in lion head dress

Figure 2.9 - Photo of me taking picture


For my first step, I took some real life pictures to guide me with my sketch as I'm not very good at drawing. The big lion head on a dress that Irina Shayk (Russian model) wears went viral because Kylie Jenner (American media personality) attended the fashion house’s couture show in Paris, wearing the same dress as Irina Shayk.



Idea Exploration:

Figure 3.1 - Mind map created on Canva Pro


First of all, of course we need to know who are we going to visualise the portrait. So, before getting into the technical process, I started off with creating a mind-map of myself. Questioning myself, "who am I?". Then I came up with some answer which are divided by 4 category. Origin, hobby, interest and dream. These are simple ideas about myself that I would like to show on my self-portrait project within the Harmony and Unity principle.


Figure 3.2 (Left) - Tracing my face

Figure 3.3 (Right) - Final sketch of my face


As I have mentioned so many times before, I'm not good at drawing. So tracing becomes my thing, which really helps me to create an artwork. I started off tracing my face from a selfie that I took weeks ago. The picture shown most of the feature on my face and I tried to trace everything in details, although it may still not look like the original picture.


Figure 3.4 (Left) - Tracing a lion's nose

Figure 3.5 (Right) - First sketch


For my first sketch, I tried to add some elements that are related to myself according to the self mind map I made. Using a picture of a lion from the internet, I trace off its nose and replace my nose with it. I wanted to add a visual of earth to represent my horoscope which is Virgo and add thunder in the background as a fun fact of a lion who hunts during storms.


Figure 3.6 (Left) - Tracing a lion head dress

Figure 3.7 (Right) - Second sketch


My second sketch put the subject further and it shows her body more because I want to show a lion head dress as something that didn't comes from myself, instead something that I wear. And it always reminds me of a lion. Then I tried to trace my hand holding a camera using a reference picture that I have, which was really confusing at first on where and how should I position it.


Figure 3.8 (Left) - Colouring my face

Figure 3.9 (Right) - Blending the colour of my face


I decided to continue with sketch two because I like the composition more and the elements are more suitable. Then I start off colouring my face, trying hard to make it realistic by blending the skin colours and add a thin lines to sharpen the facial features. I used the same method from the Exercise assignment previously and improved a bit on blending a face.


Figure 3.10 (Left) - Shading my hand

Figure 3.11 (Right) - Finalising my hand


I continue to colour my hand which looks like its holding a camera with the same technique that I use for my face. But little did I know that face and hand has a very different feature and I don't really know the proper shading for hands. So I struggled with this for some time but finally made it anyway. Although the shades still looks a bit rough.


Figure 3.12 (Left) - Outlining the lion's face

Figure 3.13 (Right) - Filling in the lion's face


Next is the lion. At first I tried to use a pop art style and create a quirky lion with lots of colour. But after tracing the outline, I immediately realised how complicated it will be and I still haven't figured out the proper shading other than a human face. So, I decided to use a very basic outline and use a colour block to make it bold and clear without many details but still look a lion with an expression.


Figure 3.14 (Left) - Re-shading the hand

Figure 3.15 (Right) - Adding abstract lines and original picture of the hand


To add the abstract look from the visual inspirations that I took from Ricky Linn's artworks, I tried to add my original picture and use half of the face and a bit of hair. Then, I add colour chalk lines on the hair to make it look more fun and a messy character to the subject. However, I'm still not so satisfy with the current outcome.


Figure 3.16 (Left) - Blending the left eye

Figure 3.17 (Right) - Adding backgrounds


I change mind mine and tried to divide myself into two to show different personalities that I have. I tend to be active and cheerful around a monotone environment, and vice versa. I believe it's called ambivert. And the wavy lines on the left background represents the ocean which actually scares me. However, I don't like how the outcome after adding the background.


Figure 3.18 (Left) - Camera roll colouring technique 1

Figure 3.19 (Right) - Camera roll colouring technique 2


For my last move, I tried to put a camera roll on the upper right of the subject to balance it with the huge lion head on the under left side. But its lines on the sides is a bit troublesome. However, I figured a more simple way to it. Instead of the squares one by one, I drew a white line inside the black line and erase it to become tiny squares. It's so much more efficient and it creates a better square.



Other Visual References:

Figure 4.1 - Lion by Getty Images

Figure 4.2 - Blue Danish Pastel Aesthetic Wall Collage Kit Danish Pastel by etsy.com

Figure 4.3 - 3D Abstract Wave Pattern background by Sasi


 

REFERENCE

 

Final Design & Rationale:

A self-portrait of myself came up to be a young adult girl wearing a lion head dress while holding a camera. Photography and videography are something that I am interested in and what I want to hold for the rest of my life. Capturing memories whenever, wherever, and with whoever I am at the moment. It would be an amazing dream to come true if someday I could capture wild animals on my camera. Such as lion, the jungle king who has the most dreaded roar. Most people likes to call me 'Ror' or 'Roring' because they say it's unique, and it always reminds me of a lion. And just like my middle name, Valery, I love to remind myself that I have to be strong and powerful like the king of the jungle.



Feedback:

The background can be clearer, try replacing it with something from my interest that I put in the mind-map. However, the background should not be too contrast such as in black and white as it might disturb the whole composition. So, whatever lines that I put in the background, it's better to use the same colour tone as the subject and the lion. Also, try to curve the lion's outline to make it more connected with the subject and extend the lines. Going further to add more things doesn't always give the better result, sometimes simper is much better.


 

Reflection:

Throughout this project, I have learnt so much about designing techniques. Trying different brushes to get a texture of lines that I want, different colouring techniques and different drawing style. I tried to do a pop art for the lion but after a few lines, I realised that it's very complicated and I need a moment to learn to do that. So, I want back to something that I'm comfortable doing, which is realistic kind of look with blended live colour. Even though I'm still not very good at making it look as realistic as it supposed to be. But I believe that I'm improving and I still have a lot to learn. And again, I learned that simplicity is enough and it can be more than enough in art.

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