Week Fifteen: Self Portrait /Art Gallery Visit

Self-Portrait, c. 1971
Painter:  Elisabeth Louise Bigee Le Brun
Medium:  Oil on Canvas
Museum:  Kimbell Art Museum
Fort Worth, Texas

Self-Portrait, 1780-1784
Painter:  John Singleton Copley
Medium:  Oil on Canvas
Museum:  National Portrait Gallery
Smithsonian Institution

Self-Portrait, 1889
Painter:  Vincent van Gogh
Medium:  Oil on Canvas
Museum:  National Gallery of Art
Washington, DC

Self-Portrait, 2014
Artist:  Stephanie M. Kelly
Medium:  Oil Pastels on Bristol Paper

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?


I selected the pieces because they were familiar and I wanted to select inspirational pieces that I have heard of before.

2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?


I selected the pencil with color to create my self-portrait because it seemed to be the easiest for me to work with.  I was able to erase and manipulate and shade quite easily, which is what I like.  I also like working with oil pastels, they are easy to blend and erase.

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?


I think that the challenge I feel that I faced was actually drawing the self-portrait.  I am not a great artist when it comes to faces or bodies for that matter.  I just had to just do it and not worry about how horrible and funny it looks.  My weaknesses are eyes, and shading properly.

4. How does this piece represent you?


I think I did the best I could for it to represent me.  Like in my previous answer, drawing faces is not my strong point, so I did my best to represent me.

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?


The elements and principles I was able to work into my piece were line, shape, color, value, balance and unity.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?


Yes, I did enjoy working on this project.  Even though I am not strong at drawing faces, it forced me to work at making it perfect.  If it were a leisure project I probably would have given up on it a long time ago.  Since it was a school project, I am glad that forced me to complete it.  I think I did well.

7. What do you think of your final artwork?


I think that my final piece is interesting and I appreciate it because it was hard for me to do and I completed it.  I like it just for that reason alone I think.