Drawing I: Self-Portraits, Professor Jason Travers

Based on the early grid portraits of artist Chuck Close, students will execute a large scale self-portrait using photographic reference.   The original 8×10 photograph will be divided using an inch-square grid.   The grid will be transposed at four-times scale for the drawing.  (Students may wish to subdivide and label the large grid as well.)  The process should focus on the completion of one carefully rendered grid block at a time.

In addition to providing the experience of a sustained large-scale drawing that serves to hone the skills in technical rendering with traditional media, these grid portraits also allow students to re-examine their perception of the photo-realist approach that many beginning art students see as the pinnacle of success in drawing.  While the products are indeed satisfying, students come to realize that the results are simply a matter of craftsmanship, focus and many hours in the studio.

Specs:

Size: 40” x 32”, Strathmore 100lb drawing paper.

Medium: Graphite