Landscape of the Face

Concepts: Value, Planes

Size: Approx. 10 x 13 inches

Media: Acrylic Paint

·       We will begin by taking portrait photographs outside in direct sunlight or using a strong light source so value contrast is strong. Print the photo in black and white, at least 8x10 inches in size. You may want to use a Photoshop filter to further assist in breaking down the planes of the face and the value structure.

·       Render your face in pencil. You may or may not choose to use a graph as a guide to draw the face.

·       Next, outline the different areas of value on the face similar to a paint-by-number image. Note even the very subtle changes in value that occur in an area that may seemingly be flat.

·       Include background information. If this is intimidating or bothersome for you, crop you original photograph so that your face occupies most of the picture plane.

·       Using at least seven different gray values from pure white to pure black, try to translate the colors of the original work into its equivalent value.

·       Paint the work using a flat, uniform surface and value (no mixing paint on the paper).

Items to consider:

·       Practice mixing your gray value until it matches the area that you are copying on the photograph to the best of your ability.

·       Your final product should include a minimum of seven different gray values.

·       Neatness is always a consideration.

Original source for this project: Mary Stewart, Syracuse University