Chuck Close Inspired Portraits

Portraits explore a basic question… Who am I?

A Self Portrait is a picture that an artist takes of himself.

For each portrait, the artist must ask: What expression, posture, clothing, background, colors, texture, and style best express the real me? Will different situations change those answers?

Dramatic Lighting Portraits

Portraits are not just a reflection of what people look like. They may also show how a person interprets themselves and the world around them.

Chuck Close the artist

Chuck Close was born 1940 in Washington State and is renowned as one of America’s foremost artists.

He has been exploring the art of printmaking for over 30 years. Chuck uses a grid to transfer his subject from a photograph to a painting or print.

By breaking the larger image down into its smaller component parts, he is able to make decisions about the nature and properties of the various colors that he uses in his works.

In his earlier works, Close was careful to hide the grid upon completion. In his later pieces, the grid has become a visual element of the work itself, and is no longer simply for planning.

Exploring Chuck Close THE PROJECT: Look at examples of his work and with your own color scheme create a painting using the style of Chuck Close.

Project Guidelines Step #1: Each student must have a large photo which has dramatic lighting. 10 points

Step #2: Create 1” grid on photograph. Project Guidelines

Step #3: Create 2” or 3” grid on the final paper. Must measure paper and calculate ratio prior to beginning.

Project Guidelines Step #4: Following the grid method (drawing square by square) sketch out the portrait using GHOST LINES. DO NOT include all details. This is only a rough sketch and should take no more than 2 days.

Project Guidelines Step #5: On the photo draw another grid, using ¼ inch squares. On the Illustration board draw a correlating cross grid so that it is in proportion to the photos grid. For example: If you drew a 2” grid on your final, the cross grid will be every ½ inch. The squares will line up and are the same on both the photo and the newsprint.

Project Guidelines Step #6: Mix 10 colors in a color scheme that range in values from almost white to almost black. Mix these in cups with lids which Mrs. H will provide.

Project Guidelines Step #7: Each square will have a circle or two and a dot, on a flat color background. By looking at the photo determine the values needed in that square and by using the 10 colors mixed, start laying in background colors for the squares. Next, place circles and a dot that correspond to the shape and value needed in each square. They will start to look like the picture after about 15 to 20 squares or so…

Project Guidelines Step #7 (continued): Paint some squares together and use a long oval to create certain areas of the face. Look at Chuck Close examples to see how he has done this around the nose, eyes and lips. Paint each square until finished and then go back and touch up areas that don’t stand out, or need to be tweaked in order for you to see the portrait.

DUE DATES: Photograph: Tuesday, November 3 Grids & Sketched: Tuesday, November 10 Paint & Value Scale: Friday November 13 Completed Painting: November 25 th (prior to Thanksgiving break)