Figurative Self-Portrait Drawing

Lisa Chui

What is Figurative Drawing?

A figure drawing is a drawing of the human form in any of its various shapes and postures using any of the drawing media. The term can also refer to the act of producing such a drawing. The degree of representation may be from highly detailed, anatomically correct renderings to loose and expressive sketches.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_drawing

What is Self-Portrait?A self-portrait is a representation of an artist,

drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by the artist. Although self-portraits have been made by artists since the earliest times, it is not until the Early Renaissance in the mid-15th century that artists can be frequently identified depicting themselves as either the main subject, or as important characters in their work. With better and cheaper mirrors, and the advent of the panel portrait, many painters, sculptors and printmakers tried some form of self-portraiture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-portrait

Your Drawing Project:Step 1: Have someone model for you and draw 6 figurative/gestural drawings in your sketchbook, a different pose each. These are “blind” contour drawings, done in about 1 minute each without looking down on your paper.

Step 2: Choose 2 out of the 6 drawings that look more realistic and touch them up by adding details and shading.

Step 3: Draw 3-5 gestural/figurative drawings in your sketchbook. You now have 3 minutes to draw each pose and you can peek twice.

Step 4: On large newsprint paper, draw 12 different poses of about 15 minutes each. Have the model pose in a position that represents something about you. This can be your hobby, or something important about you. Example, you like to read so you will have different people pose in different reading positions.

Step 5: Choose between 3-5 of the best drawings out of the 12 and touch them up by adding color, shading and details.

Step 6: Take a photograph of yourself from your laptop and save it. You should be posing in a position that represents something about you.

Step 7: Draw a self-portrait in the newsprint using the image that you took of yourself posing. Add color and details

Step 8: Cut out all your detailed and touched up drawings. Plan your background theme that must represent something about you and related to the poses.

Step 9: Glue your images onto the final large paper provided and design your background. Your background must relate to your poses.

Step 10: All work must be shaded and colored using any mixed drawing medium of your choice.

Handouts and Tips for Drawing People