The Self-Portrait as Artistic Expression: A Beginner’s Guide
The Self-Portrait as Artistic Expression: A Beginner’s Guide
Michael Dixon, Chair of the Department of Art and Art History and Professor of Art, Albion College.
Thursdays. 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. October 10, 17, 24, 31. Bobbitt Visual Arts Center, 2nd floor, Room 216. Limited to 16 registrants.
For the first class meeting, participants should bring pencils and mirrors. Participants will be able to leave their materials in Room 216 of Bobbitt during the course.
The self-portrait has a long and rich history in the arts. In this session, we will create a series of self-portraits using contemporary methods in oil paint. We will cover the techniques of mixing colors, mixing flesh tones, basic color theory, proportions of the face, basic drawing techniques, and basic painting techniques. The focus will be on drawing and painting from observation. We will play with performance as a method of creating images. We will use imagery to think about conceptual ideas and storytelling.
Books, Equipment, Supplies that participants will need:
*Items can be found at Dick Blick www.dickblick.com or Michael’s, JoAnn Fabrics, Wal-Mart (some of the items), Amazon (www.amazon.com)
Oil Pigments – $63
(37ml tubes) / (Utrecht Artists’ Oil Colors are Preferred)
- Cadmium Red hue *
- Alizarin Crimson *
- Cadmium Yellow hue *
- Cadmium Yellow Deep *
- Ultramarine Blue *
- Cerulean Blue hue *
- Prussian Blue *
- Titanium White (150 ml tube) *
Brushes – $60
(37ml tubes) / (Utrecht Artists’ Oil Colors are Preferred)
- Bright or Flat * #14, #10, #6, #2
- Round * #10, #4
Pre-Stretched Canvas – $20
(Blick Studio Cotton Canvas, Traditional Profile)
- 20”x20” (One of these) *
- 30”x30” (One of these) *
Other Items for Painting/Drawing
- Pencils (#2 Pencils are fine)
- Coffee cans or jars with lids
- 75ml Liquin Original by Winsor Newton (Paint medium) * – $6
- Dish soap & bar soap
- Large Hand Mirror
- 9”x12” Paper Pallette * – $7