Angelyn Valencia / 0349573
Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media
Design
Principles
Project 1
SELF PORTRAIT
- A self representation in the form of a drawing/painting/sculpture/design.
- Not necessarily about creating a realistic image of yourself; instead, it's often an exercise in self-exploration. It as a visual depiction of the self. This represents the designer - how we see ourselves or how we feel or how we want to be seen.
Figure 1.1 Self mindmap
INSTRUCTION
TASK
Visual Research
In this task, we were assigned to do a self-portrait. A self-portrait can be
anything as long as it represents ourselves. I did some research and i
learned that there are various kinds and styles of self-portraits portraying
different kinds of artists. Every single piece is unique and original since
everybody is different and has their own ways.
Figure 2.1 Examples of self portrait (left: Van Gogh, right: Frida Kahlo)
The left self-portrait depicts the severe decline in Van Gogh's mental health.
A year before Van Gogh shot himself, he mutilated his ear after an argument
with his friend. Some people believe that he cut his ear to silence the voices
in his head. Just two weeks later, he completed his portrait with a bandaged
ear. In essence, this portrait tells the story of the artist’s life.
Meanwhile, Frida Kahlo's self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird, is
a painting that depicts not just her pain but the grace with which she carried
it all her life. It’s also one of the finest use of symbolism in modern art.
Idea Exploration & Process
Figure 2.2 Self Mindmap
So in this task, I decided to ask a few of my friends and families about how
they see me. A lot of them told me that I'm a quiet and reserved person. A
lot of my friends told me I have an RBF and so a lot of people are scared to
get to know me because I look almost rude and not really approachable and
because I rarely smile. But once they got to know me, they say that I'm a
fun person, almost the complete opposite of how they see me on the outside.
They also told me that I'm a very indecisive person.
For me, I see myself as a dreamer, I dream a lot, I have big dreams. But I
am also a thinker. I think a lot and tend to overthink. Being a thinker
really snaps me back to reality and that kind of makes me a bit pessimistic.
Being a thinker isn't bad, but in my case, I overthink and that is what's
keeping me from fully putting myself out there and taking big steps to
achieve my dreams. So in this particular task, I decided to do a
self-portrait that focuses on those two aspects.
Figure 2.3 First Sketch
I started out by picking a picture of myself where I didn't smile and started
sketching myself. I also knew I wanted to take on a more horror/scary-themed
approach in this task because I really like horror-themed anything.
Figure 2.4 Process Video
In this process video, you can see my thought process while working on this
self portrait. I keep changing concepts along the way even though I already
had a concept to start with. I decided by displaying this, it could be a
statement itself that shows the indecisiveness too other than explorations.
Figure 2.5 TOI - 1338 B as color reference
The skin tone was actually inspired by planet TOI - 1338 B I found on the
internet the other day. This is a neptune-like exoplanet that orbits an F-type
star. This discovery was announced in 2020. (More about this : TOI - 1338 B Discovery). On Figure 2.4, my progress video, it can be seen that I started out
originally somewhere within this color range, but then I changed and
emphasized other colors more.
Figure 2.6 Final Outcome before feedback
Figure 2.7 Full Process Video
After feedback
Figure 2.8 Revision
Figure 2.9 Final Outcome (15/10/21)
Medium: Digital Painting (Procreate)
In this self-portrait, I wanted to represent myself as being a dreamer. I
always dream of big things, but I'm also a thinker. I think a lot and tend to
overthink and so being a thinker really snaps me back to reality and that
makes me a bit pessimistic about my 'unrealistic dreams', which is represented by
the black texture/veins on the skin. Being a dreamer and a thinker, causes me
to zone out a lot, as I get lost in my own state of mind. People told me I
don't look very approachable because I rarely smile. But the bright colors
used on the skin shows that I'm a fun person once people get to know me. Also,
my family is a big part of my life, they're the people I love and trust the
most, and I always keep them close to me wherever I am. This is represented by
the planet and stars necklace. The 4 stars represent each 4 members in my
family and the planet represents unity. In this self-portrait, movement
is the most emphasized. As well as the harmony in colors.
This is not a very straightforward representation and because I wanted the
viewer to interpret this self-portrait their own way first before reading the
rationale. Because I wanted it to be as real as myself about when people think
of me and how as they read the rationale, it's like going through the layers
in getting to know the real me. Though one thing I wanted to deliver instantly is the psychedelic feeling in the overall portrait at first glance.
Figure 2.11 Final Outcome in PDF (15/10/21)
FEEDBACK
Dr Charles told me when he sees this self-portrait, one glance, he doesn't really see overthinking, but instead zoning out in a dream state of mind. He also suggested if i could do something to make the hair as a part of the streaks at the back or make it connected somehow. He also suggested 'zoned-out' as the title of this self-portrait. He said that it really is a genuine representation of who i am and the way it all harmonizes together makes the longer he looks at it, the deeper he's in the zone.REFLECTION
Experience: In this particular task, I learned a lot. I not only
learn about self-portrait from the lecture given and some research, but I
also got to know myself better and try to make a design that best represents
myself. It's definitely very interesting to look at other artists'
self-portraits in how they see themselves, their lives, the story they're
trying to tell, all in their own unique ways and styles. As for creating portraits, I really enjoyed the process because I've always liked to do portraits. (if you want to check out my other portraits it's in @avalensh on ig hehe :))
Observation: I see that every artist has their own unique styles of
self portrait and I see that we have to know ourselves in order to make a
good self portrait that represents us best.
Findings: I learned that self-portrait doesn't necessarily have to be
the artist's face, it can be literally anything as long as it is a
self-representation. I've always thought a self-portrait is a literal
physical appearance but it doesn't have to be that.
Absolutely amazing work! looks like it paid off! A good representation and better tuned portrait! it evokes the meaning you wanted!
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