Self-Portrait
Inspiration
When I went looking for my inspiration this time I didn't really have any ideas, so I just searched up classic portraits. I vaguely remembered one of Klimt's paintings but didn't remember the artist so I searched for him. At first I thought about doing one of his Golden Phase works, but they are all pretty complicated. So I chose one that I was more comfortable with, Portrait of a Lody. Klimt is most famous for his decorative portraits, so I was pretty sure he would be a good artist to research. He was involved in many different movements, and was inspired by others. Almost all his works have stories behind them, which is another reason I chose Portrait of a Lady. It's history is a bit more mysterious. No one is sure who the woman in the painting is. When x-rayed in 1996, it was found that it had been painted over a sketch of one a woman Klimt was possibly in love with, but died before he could finish the painting. The colors of the painting are darker than Klimt's other works, and it was painted close to the end of his life |
Planning
Before I started sketching I used my phone to put grids over my reference photos. My canvas is 3ft x 3ft, so the scale it down I made 1ft = 2in. I had to figure out how I wanted to combine the painting and my reference photo. I decided to keep the same clothing, but basically insert my face. I left my hair down because I felt like it would be more recognizable that way. When I paint it I'll do the skin in the same style Klimt used.
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Experimentation
I've used grids before to draw, but I've never used the method for painting before. I don't think it really worked very well because the scale I used was too big. I ended up mostly free sketching. I do believe this method is usually very helpful, but next time I try to use it I'll probably use a small scale so it will help me transfer the image better. I also only had a really small ruler, so next time I'll need to get a much bigger one to draw accurate lines. |
Process
1. First I stretched a 3 ft x 3 ft canvas, then I gessoed it.
2. Then I sketched out my painting using a grid. 3. The first thing I painted was the skin tone, then the glasses and other parts of the face. 4. Next I worked on the dress. I stayed more accurate to the original painting here. 5. I finished the face by adding eyebrows, then worked on the hair. 6. The last part of the painting was the background. I struggled with it a lot to try to make it look like the original painting. I started with a plain green background and layered the other colors on top. |
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Reflection
This was the biggest painting I've ever done, and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out. The subject turned out well, and looks like a recognizable version of me. However, I'm not happy with the background. It doesn't look like the inspiration at all. I need to work on my blending, layering, color mixing, and accuracy.
ACT Responses
Clearly explain how you are able to identify the cause effect relationship between your inspiration and its effect on your artwork.
I inserted myself into the painting that was my inspiration, only making small changes to make it an accurate self-portrait.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors of the research I did were simply relating facts and explaining Klimt's work.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
Portraits were used to capture people in a moment, or record them for history. It was what people had to do if they wanted a picture of themselves (before cameras, that is).
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Klimt was a very talented decorative painter who was a master of his chose medium and movement.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I had to infer how Klimt went about making Portrait of a Lady in order to attempt to recreate it.
I inserted myself into the painting that was my inspiration, only making small changes to make it an accurate self-portrait.
What is the overall approach the author has regarding the topic of your inspiration?
The authors of the research I did were simply relating facts and explaining Klimt's work.
What kind of generalizations and conclusions have you discovered about people, ideas, culture, ect. while you researched your inspiration?
Portraits were used to capture people in a moment, or record them for history. It was what people had to do if they wanted a picture of themselves (before cameras, that is).
What is the central idea or theme around your inspirational research?
Klimt was a very talented decorative painter who was a master of his chose medium and movement.
What kind of inferences did you make while reading your research?
I had to infer how Klimt went about making Portrait of a Lady in order to attempt to recreate it.
Bibliography
“Gustav Klimt Paintings, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story: Modern Art Insight, The Art Story Foundation, www.theartstory.org/artist/klimt-gustav/.
Lenahan, Gerald, et al. “Portrait Of Adele Bloch-Bauer I Art Print by Gustav Klimt.” Fine Art America, Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/1-portrait-of-adele-bloch-bauer-i-gustav-klimt.html?product=art-print.
“Portrait of a Lady.” Gustav Klimt, www.gustavklimt.net/portrait-of-a-lady/.
Richman-Abdou , Kelly. “The Splendid History of Gustav Klimt's Glistening ‘Golden Phase.’” My Modern Met, Electric Pulp, 14 Sept. 2018, mymodernmet.com/gustav-klimt-golden-phase/.
Lenahan, Gerald, et al. “Portrait Of Adele Bloch-Bauer I Art Print by Gustav Klimt.” Fine Art America, Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/1-portrait-of-adele-bloch-bauer-i-gustav-klimt.html?product=art-print.
“Portrait of a Lady.” Gustav Klimt, www.gustavklimt.net/portrait-of-a-lady/.
Richman-Abdou , Kelly. “The Splendid History of Gustav Klimt's Glistening ‘Golden Phase.’” My Modern Met, Electric Pulp, 14 Sept. 2018, mymodernmet.com/gustav-klimt-golden-phase/.