Assignment!

“So what does the ‘self’ in self-portrait actually mean?  Historically the self portrait (specifically the painted self portrait) has been understood as a representation of emotions, an outward expression of inner feelings penetrating self-analysis and self-contemplation that might bestow an immortality of sorts on the artist.”

Susan Bright, Uncanny Likeness: Photographers Photographing Themselves, 2010

In this project you are to explore the concept of self portraiture in digital art. Use the image capture and manipulation skills you have gained throughout the session to create a single self portrait that tells the viewer something about you.

You may use images from a number of sources: old photographs both digital and printed, drawings/artwork that you have created, stock photographs etc.  You may use your own cameras to capture new images also if you wish.

Process:         

1. Find out a little more about self portraiture in the digital realm. Find a minimum of three artists who have created digital self portraits.  Analyse at least one image from each using the guide given to you earlier in the session.

2. Think about your work.  What would you want a viewer to think when they see your self portrait?  What do you want them to find out about you?  Write a list of things about yourself if it helps- your interests, hobbies, words that you would use to describe yourself etc.

3. Begin capturing, processing, manipulating and laying out your work.  Be creative!  Make use of all the skills and techniques you have learned throughout the session to create your work.  Your final piece should be 8x10 inches in size and 300ppi- set this up first in Photoshop before you begin.

4. Complete an artist’s statement of one typed 12pt A4 page documenting your ideas, references, inspirations and the techniques you used.

5. Print your image on A4 paper using the laser printer.

6. Submit a full resolution digital copy of your piece, 8x10 inches at 300ppi, the printed piece and your artists’ statement by 4pm, Wednesday week 8.

For submission:

You must submit the following for assessment by Wednesday week 8.

• A digital Photoshop file of your self portrait, 8x10 inches in size and 300ppi.
• A hard copy of your self portrait, printed on A4 paper on the laser printer.
• An artist’s statement of approximately one A4 page detailing your ideas and intent of your self portrait, printed.
• Research questions, further investigation and evaluations in your research workbook.