Hi everyone!
So, I'm pretty new around here and I hope I'm writting this at the right place... Also, please pardon my writting, english isin't my first langage and I'm not that great at it.
That being said!
I'm taking a painting class this semester. And the very first exercice is a self portrait, or a self representation. I've always avoided painting caracters, especially faces, because I'm scared I won't be able to go beyond the "oh, this was drawn by a 10 year old" level.
I don't really *have to* paint a representation of my face, but I'm kind frozen into inaction here.
Anyways. What I'm asking is this : Have any of you ever done a self-portrait / self representation? How did you guys go about it?
Any tips would be welcomed at this point, seriously :-)
Tags: portrait, representation, self, stuck
Hi Joseane, you might find some answers in the responses to this challenge - lot of members came up with some creative ideas for self-portraits!
Permalink Reply by Joseane Alarie on January 26, 2012 at 12:01am Thanks, I'll definitely read that thread!
Permalink Reply by Brian on January 26, 2012 at 10:59am are you going for realism or what? realism is quite easy. one of the most basic forms of painting is a grid method. take a photo and grid it out, then blow it up with drawing methods to the size of the canvas then using the photo as reference paint/shade/get your art on the painting ... another way is just to draw yourself in a mirror then paint away ... or just start by painting ... really no text book with this sort of thing ... you have to find your own way through this jungle.
Permalink Reply by Danielle Evans on February 5, 2012 at 10:59am Another thing you could do for ideas is type in "self portrait" in the LMM search bar at the top. You can see a variety of self portraits there. It may give you too many ideas lol.
You could begin by asking yourself questions. What do you want to say about yourself? Do you want people to see you as you look realistically or convey an aspect of your personality?
I once did a self portrait by looking down at my paint shirt. that's all I painted was this open weave fabric covered in paint splashes. Another time, for the Klimt challenge I painted myself as my zodiacal symbol Gemini the twins.
The possibilities are endless....
Permalink Reply by Joseane Alarie on February 15, 2012 at 12:04am Thank you so much guys, I think I figured out how to go about doing this. This is what I've come up with so far!
HERE ARE 2 LINKS to TWO of my youtube videos talking and demonstrating about this amazing product:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIc02QBihJQ&feature=share&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zAPZn5TEyM&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg&index=41
So once i have my image printed onto transparency film, I take my Ezscreen silk screen which has been coated in light sensitive emulsion (These sheets come pre-coated so they are ready to use). Place it onto a black board, then place the transparency image on top (this part needs to be done in a dark room with no direct sunlight). I take it outside and expose it for 1 minute and 40 seconds (but time varies depending on time of day and strength of sunlight). After i have exposed the image i place it into a tub of water for around 5 - 8 minutes. Then i rinse the screen out under fast running water until the unexposed area (the black) washes away. I then expose the screen to the sun for a further 20mins to completely harden the light sensitive emulsion.
And this is the completed screen ready for printing. I simply use an old credit card to spread the ink over the screen making sure i do one complete full stroke across the screen (holding the credit card at a 45 degree angle). I immediately wash the screen out under fast flowing water and pat dry. I use fabric screen printing ink which washes out in water (which makes the process easy).

I love this product, their website is http://ezscreenprint.com/ (for full instructions and details on how to purchase this awesome product).
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