Self Portrait

This last assignment, for me, is by far the most important in the entire course. I call it the Post Test and for this assignment the students do a self portrait from real life by using a mirror. It's the culmination of all the activities and skills we have practiced. All along the way we have all worked on the same subject in a guided and structured way using photo reference material. Now for this last activity each student is on their own to capture a likeness from real life. To dramatically show how each student has improved I have them compare this last exercise with the very first assignment we did 12 weeks ago. That assignment was to do a portrait from memory, from a picture or from looking at someone. This drawing was done before any instruction and without any help. Now we can compare that drawing which I call the Pre Test with this last drawing and then each student has a very real indication of exactly how much they have improved. So the following posts present each student's work.

Rex Beanland

The Classes

These pictures are of some of the students from the Wednesday morning class and the Tuesday evening class. I was so appreciative of the enthusiasm, skill and positive contributions of everyone. It was pleasure to be involved in these classes for the last 12 weeks. I wish everyone all the best in their future artistic endeavours.

Rex Beanland

Jamie

Collin

Tim

Kim

Leslie

Student's Choice Pt 2

Students Choice Portrait

For this assignment the students worked on their own reference material.

A Street Corner Scene

This is a version of the perspective activity, 'A Street Corner Scene' that was done by a student of mine in approximately 1990. He was in grade 7 at the time. I believe he was 12. When I really studied his drawing to get ready for the Basic Drawing Skills class I came to appreciate what a visually gifted person he was. It looks like it was drawn effortlessly and has a very strong composition that I'm sure came about completely intuitively. As someone in class today said, "I wonder what he is doing now?"

Double click on the image to see a larger version.

See everyone after the holiday.

Other Work

Two different representations of the male image.

Horse Portrait

Horse Portrait

Applying the same measuring technique to an animal portrait.

A Study Of Bogey

This portrait was a real challenge, which I think is a good thing because it's by attempting these challenges that we grow. In many ways this was an assignment in shading to capture the lived in face that he has. To accurately draw the tilt of his head also presented a challenge. But with all that, once again, the quality of the work comes through and once again we are able to see the individual styles continue to emerge.

A Study Of Bogey Pt 2

Audrey Hepburn A Study in Class pt2

Audrey Hepburn a Study in Class pt1

The last portrait was of Audrey Hepburn. I must admit that I became absolutely fascinated by her since working with this image. She seems to exude class and humanity mixed with classic beauty. Having said all that I am completely blown away by the quality of the work. Everyone should feel very proud.

Lesson 5 Part 2

It's very interesting to see the different interpretations of the hair but they all clearly read as hair. I'm also very impressed by the accuracy that each portrait shows even as the assignments get more challenging.

Lesson 5 Profiles

This weeks profile of Helen Menken was a real work out in doing hair which is one of the big challenges in doing portraits. The trick is to see the hair as a collection of shapes rather than a collection of individual hairs. It is an ability that comes with practice.