Portrait Drawings

Portrait Drawings• Students will be creating: Monochromatic /Grayscale portraits

using pastels with contrasting color background.

• Grid Drawings: A grid is a pattern of parallel lines that cross one another at right angles or diagonally.

• Monochromatic Colors: Being only one color.• Contrasting Colors: Colors placed opposite one another on the

color wheel. Also called complementary colors. For example, orange and blue are contrasting.

• Value: A composition's lightness with degrees of gray between endpoints of black and white. Colors can also be assessed in the same way for value. Darker relates to "lower" in values. In science, value is "lightness".

Grid Drawings:A grid is a pattern of parallel lines that cross one another at right angles or diagonally.

Sample Grids

Monochromatic Colors:Being only one color.

Contrasting Colors:Colors placed opposite one another on the color wheel. Also called complementary colors. For example, orange and blue are contrasting.

Value:A composition's lightness with degrees of gray between endpoints of black and white. Colors can also be assessed in the same way for value. Darker relates to "lower" in values. In science, value is "lightness".

Samples of Student Work:

Samples of Portraits:

Portrait Drawing Assignment:• 1. Select a portrait photograph of high contrast 8”x 11” or cut down to 6" x 8" . ½ inch squares for 6”x8” photographs and 1 inch squares for 8”x11” photographs

• 2. Measure grid at 1 inch intervals at top, bottom and sides of a 12" x 16" white drawing paper and a 2 inch grid for paper 18”x24”. Draw grid using ruler - being careful to insure lines are straight and exactly one inch apart. Example  of grid on next slide

• 3. Students are encouraged to concentrate on the value of a square in the photograph and replicate the value in the corresponding square on their drawing. Those who were most successful were able to “see” the value . Use Oil Pastels in each square. Students should experiment on scrap paper first.

• 4. You will begin by sketching the portrait onto the grid.• 5. Work from lightest areas to darkest areas using one color.

6. When those areas are completed, you may pick a single color to create the middle values. • 7. Be certain that you leave no gaps between the areas of pastels.• After you have finished your face, you will need to start on the background:• Make your background contrast with your portrait. It can contrast in one of the following

ways:• * Complementary (opposite each other on the color wheel)

* Warm vs. cool* Color vs. grayscale