Self Portrait
Exhibition Text
Self Portrait is inspired by the work of Henri Matisse as he navigated the Fauvism movement. The bold lines and large patches of color in a way simplify the image itself, but on the other hand elicit emotion in the viewer initiating the inquirey of what the artist was feeling.
Self Portrait is inspired by the work of Henri Matisse as he navigated the Fauvism movement. The bold lines and large patches of color in a way simplify the image itself, but on the other hand elicit emotion in the viewer initiating the inquirey of what the artist was feeling.
Planning
Inspiration
I was inspired by the work of Henri Matisse and Fauvism to create my self portrait. I really liked how he uses colors to define a change in value rather than a different tone of the hue. He uses blending in only a few areas of importance like around facial features. I thought that I would like to attempt his style of painting, especially since I like detailing facial feature while still being able to use color expressively. |
"Paintings." Woman with a Hat (Madame Matisse), Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
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"Paintings." The Green Line (Portrait of Madame Matisse), Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
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"Paintings." Self Portrait , Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
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Critical Investigation
The work of Henri Matisse was heavily influenced by many artists including Redon, Manet, Cezanne, and Seurat. The styles of all of these artists show through somewhat in his works. The figures from Redon, appreciation of color from Manet, the shapeliness of figures from Cezanne, and the use of pure color from Seurat. These aspects and many more shaped his style of painting and morphed him into a Fauvist.
Some important aspects of Henri Matisse's paintings are his use of bold lines, contrasting color to indicate a change of value on a figure, and letting the raw canvas show through to create highlights. Bold lines and different colors are primarily used to show the view a change in the surface or or the ednge of a figure. Where most white is on his paintings is actually exposed canvas. Some speculate that it may have been a way of conserving materials or used for a rough textured look.
The work of Henri Matisse was heavily influenced by many artists including Redon, Manet, Cezanne, and Seurat. The styles of all of these artists show through somewhat in his works. The figures from Redon, appreciation of color from Manet, the shapeliness of figures from Cezanne, and the use of pure color from Seurat. These aspects and many more shaped his style of painting and morphed him into a Fauvist.
Some important aspects of Henri Matisse's paintings are his use of bold lines, contrasting color to indicate a change of value on a figure, and letting the raw canvas show through to create highlights. Bold lines and different colors are primarily used to show the view a change in the surface or or the ednge of a figure. Where most white is on his paintings is actually exposed canvas. Some speculate that it may have been a way of conserving materials or used for a rough textured look.
Planning Sketches
My planning sketches, after finding inspiration for my portrait were mostly about how to pose and where to place different colors for value. I put a lot of thought into how much green would cover my face and how the background should be laid out.
My planning sketches, after finding inspiration for my portrait were mostly about how to pose and where to place different colors for value. I put a lot of thought into how much green would cover my face and how the background should be laid out.
Collecting Images
These were some of the pictures I took. I hung a large piece of paper on the wall in the background in order to obtain a clear and focused image.
These were some of the pictures I took. I hung a large piece of paper on the wall in the background in order to obtain a clear and focused image.
Experimentation
A very large part of my experimentation was mixing colors. I probably spent at least twenty minutes mixing paint to come up with my skin tone and then another twenty-five trying to produce the correct green-yellow hue. Besides that, I had to revisit my blending skills for painting. At first I was blending colors that were too different, but I eventually found a middle tone that helped merge the two color. I also experimented with loosly layering colors to produce a blending affect. To the left are some of the paint swatches I tried on paper before applying them to my canvas. Below is the original background I tried creating with minimal blending. It was suppose to be streaks of color sharp edges, not merged together. |
Process
After the last picture, I used large patches of different values of blue to create the background.
Steps:
Steps:
- Stretch the canvas
- Apply an even layer of gesso to the stretched canvas including the sides
- Apply a background color before starting to paint
- This makes it so the gesso doesn show through if a spot is missed
- Transfer what is intended to be painted on to the canvas
- I projected my image onto the my canvas and traced it with a pencil
- Begin paint
- Think about the natural order of things when you paint
- For example, paint a face before the hair is painted because hair very often lies on top of a face. Itś a lot harder to paint skin between hair than it is to paint hair directly on skin.
- Think about the natural order of things when you paint
Evaluation
My Work
In establishing a clear connection to my inspiration, I think I was successful. Especially with the background complete, it is obvious that fauvism influecnced the piece and that Matisse was the source of the painting style. The technical skill demonstrated on the piece shows competence with blending and composition. However, the overwhelming amount of green steals emphasis from the figure itself. |
"Paintings." Self Portrait , Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
|
Work of Inspiration: Henri Matisse
Henri Matisse's 1906 self portrait used minimal blending technique and instead relied on the contrast of color to establish value or the change in a surface. He also took more of a firgural approach to facial fautures. Instead of painting them realistically, he defined the edges with bold line, and blew them slightly out of proportion. These strays from reality are important aspects of Matisse's fauvist style. |
Reflection
Overall, I am more than satisfied with my self portrait because it turned out better than I thought it would. I also feel that it has obvious connections to Henri Matisse's work, especially his 1906 self portrait. I attempted to define shapes and values with different colors and bold lines like he did. I noticed that for highlights in his painting, he used a light yellow-green hue rather than blending or using a lighter value of skin tone. I tried to implement this into my portrait. I also thought it would be a good idea to use a dark green hue to represent the darker values on my face. This and bold lines helped define the face in a style that stayed true to fauvism and Matisse's paintings.
The technical skill demonstrated on the portrait is satisfactory to me. I feel as if I could have done a much better job blending that I did. I was trying to minimize my blending while incorperating Matisse's style which I did not like. I probably didn't enjoy painting this as much as I thought I would because it was using a method I don't particularly like. I feel as if not blending takes away reality and elegancy to a degree. If I were to attempt another portrait, I would need to incorporate a bit more of my own style to my inspiration's style to be satisfied.
The technical skill demonstrated on the portrait is satisfactory to me. I feel as if I could have done a much better job blending that I did. I was trying to minimize my blending while incorperating Matisse's style which I did not like. I probably didn't enjoy painting this as much as I thought I would because it was using a method I don't particularly like. I feel as if not blending takes away reality and elegancy to a degree. If I were to attempt another portrait, I would need to incorporate a bit more of my own style to my inspiration's style to be satisfied.
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause-effect relationships between your inspiration and its effect upon your artwork:
My inspiration, Henri Matisse, influenced how I represented changes in value throughout a figure. I used different hues to establish a third dimension in my portrait.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors took a fact based approach to informing the reader about the characteristics of Henri Matisse's paintings. They also suggested styles are developed by knowing the people that one does; they can shape the approaches one takes to artistic representation.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that stylistic choices are deeply rooted a persons past and the ones they took special interest in.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea around my research was finding out why Matisse painted the way he did and what was his process.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While researching, I assumed that Matisse was a self taught artist, but it turns out that he was the student of a few well-known people in art.
My inspiration, Henri Matisse, influenced how I represented changes in value throughout a figure. I used different hues to establish a third dimension in my portrait.
What is the overall approach (pov) the author (from research) has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors took a fact based approach to informing the reader about the characteristics of Henri Matisse's paintings. They also suggested styles are developed by knowing the people that one does; they can shape the approaches one takes to artistic representation.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, cultures, etc. while you researched your inspiration?
I discovered that stylistic choices are deeply rooted a persons past and the ones they took special interest in.
What was the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
The central idea around my research was finding out why Matisse painted the way he did and what was his process.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
While researching, I assumed that Matisse was a self taught artist, but it turns out that he was the student of a few well-known people in art.
Bibliography
"About the Art of Matisse." The Art of Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/artofmatisse.html>.
"Henri Matisse Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works." The Art Story. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm>.
"Paintings." Self Portrait , Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/paintings/axb.html>.
"Paintings." The Green Line (Portrait of Madame Matisse), Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/paintings/am.html>.
"Paintings." Woman with a Hat (Madame Matisse), Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/paintings/ao.html>.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/artofmatisse.html>.
"Henri Matisse Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works." The Art Story. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm>.
"Paintings." Self Portrait , Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/paintings/axb.html>.
"Paintings." The Green Line (Portrait of Madame Matisse), Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/paintings/am.html>.
"Paintings." Woman with a Hat (Madame Matisse), Henri Matisse. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
<http://www.henri-matisse.net/paintings/ao.html>.