Self Portrait: The Power of One

Nina N., Self Portrait

Self Portrait: The Power of One
Content Theme: The Power of One
Stylistic Theme: Art Nouveau or Art Deco

Due Date:
End of Semester

Essential Question: What is the Power of One?

Project:
Use the pen tool of Adobe Illustrator to draw a self-portrait in an environment
This will be an inspirational image that conveys the meaning of "The Power of One".
The environment will include design elements for pattern, ornamentation and visual impact in the fashion of Art Nouveau, as well as abstractly expressing energy, vitality, power.
You will later be incorporating text into the design to further convey the meaning of "The Power of One"

Objectives:

• Refine your technical skills with the DRAWING TOOLS of Adobe Illustrator
• Use LAYERS and SUBLAYERS to organize the parts of your work.
• Make CLOSED shapes.
• Make LIGHT, MIDDLE, and DARK tonal values for every part.
• Consider FIGURE/GROUND relationships -- Integrate the figure into an environment
• Express emotional power through stylistic devices and color.

Materials:
Adobe Illustrator

Grading Criteria:

• Expressiveness
• Design (Visual Impact)
• Technical Quality
• Personal Investment

Style References:
Look these styles up to figure out how to incorporate stylistic elements into representational art:

• Art Nouveau
• Art Deco

Art Nouveau

• Artistic style that originated in 1895.
• Inspired by the artist Alphonse Mucha.
• Found throughout the architecture, painting, sculpture, and other forms of Art Nouveau design.
• "Sudden violent curves generated by the crack of a whip”
• The term "whiplash" is frequently applied to the characteristic curves employed by Art Nouveau artists.
• Decorative "whiplash" motifs, formed by dynamic, undulating, and flowing lines in a syncopated rhythm.

​Art Deco
​
Art Deco (/ˌɑrt ˈdɛkoʊ/), or Deco, is an influential visual arts design style which first appeared in France during the 1920s, flourished internationally during the 30s and 40s, then waned in the post-World War II era.[1] It is an eclectic style that combines traditional craft motifs with Machine Age imagery and materials. The style is often characterized by rich colors, bold geometric shapes, and lavish ornamentation.
Deco emerged from the Interwar period when rapid industrialization was transforming culture. One of its major attributes is an embrace of technology. This distinguishes Deco from the organic motifs favored by its predecessor Art Nouveau.
Historian Bevis Hillier defined Art Deco as "an assertively modern style...[that] ran to symmetry rather than asymmetry, and to the rectilinear rather than the curvilinear; it responded to the demands of the machine and of new material...[and] the requirements of mass production."[2]
During its heyday Art Deco represented luxury, glamour, exuberance, and faith in social and technological progress.
                                                                                (All of the above is from Wikipedia.)
Some of the images below are examples of Art Deco from the time period, while others are more recent works inspired by Art Deco.

​To Start:
With partners, have photos taken of yourself in an active / expressive pose.
Use the photo as a template for your drawing.

Matt Chan, Self Portrait