Self Portrait

Frida Kahlo

Self Portrait with Monkey 1938

Oil on Masnoite

Joseph Joshephs

Self Portrait pioneer Tanner Cap 1880

Oil on Canvas

Lars Gustaf Sellstedt

Self Portrait 1899

Oil on Canvas

 William John Wilgus

Self Portrait 1837-1942

Oil on Canvas

1. Why did you select the inspiration pieces?
I used these inspirations pieces because they were the only self portraits available. First i went to the Albright Knox and the only self portrait in the gallery is by Frida Kahlo. I then went to the Burchfeild Penny and the only ones up were of the two shown above. I wish that there were more for display so that i would have used them for inspiration, it was hard using men as my references. 


2. Why did you select the media to create your self-portrait?
I used graphite for my portrait because i like the way i can focus on detail and erase if i make a mistake. 

3. What challenges did you face in creating your self-portrait and how did you overcome them?
I thought it was weird drawing myself. I also tried to make pictures of myself before but i did not like the way they came out, so i used a picture i had which i think represents myself well. I printed out the picture and looked at it for a while, then measured it to make sure i made the right proportions for myself.

4. How does this piece represent you?
This piece represents me because i love halloween and costume. I have a mask on and i like the way you cannot see my entire face, leaving it a mystery. 

5. What elements and principles of art did you apply in this work?
I used value when creating my piece. In the original picture i had on all black, my hair is black, my dress is black, and my mask it black, therefore i chose to keep it in black and white graphite.

6. Did you enjoy working on this project?
Yes i enjoyed working on this project however i wish there was more self portraits available at the galleries as a course of inspiration. 

7. What do you think of your final artwork?
I like the way my final piece turned out, i think it represents myself well. If i wasn't so afraid of charcoal, i would have finished it off with charcoal focusing on my black hair.