Self Image

In your sketchbooks work through the following PPT. remember that this is assessed work, so presentation, neatness and detail are very important.

Looking carefully at pictures…• The pictures you will see are all portraits. A

portrait can be a picture or a photograph.• Look very carefully at the pictures that follow.

Look in the background…look at the details…what do you see?

• Print each picture and stick them in your sketchbooks.

• Answer the questions about each picture in your sketchbooks.

• Remember to include as much detail as possible!

Who painted this famous portrait?What can you tell me about the life of Mona Lisa?Why is she smiling? This is one of Arts great mysteries. What do you think?

Which artist made this work?This is a portrait of Marilyn Monroe. Who was she?Do you think its beautiful? Why?What can you tell me about the colors the artist has used?

This is a very famous photograph, can you tell me three things about this girls life? Use your imaginations! Can you find out where in the world this was taken?

Self Portraits

Self portraits are different to portraits.One reason is because the artist has the chance to tell you something about their own life or personality.

Nobody knows you better than you know yourself!

What can you tell me about the life of this woman?Do you think she is rich or poor? Why?What century do you think we are in? Why?What do you think about the things that she decided to paint in the background?Do you think she is happy or sad? Why?

This self-portrait is by Vincent Van Gogh.Do you think the artist looks happy in this picture? Why? Write down 5 words that describe his mood.What can you tell me about the brushstrokes?What can you tell about the colours he has used? (

This is a self portrait by an American artist called Chuck Close. It is a painting. In real life it is very big – over 2 metres high!What kind of things do you think he likes to do for fun?Find another self portrait by the same artist by looking online – pick one that is very different! Describe the differences between the 2 paintings

How would you like to be seen by other people? What powerful messages would you wish to communicate? What makes you, you?

In your sketchbooks:

Write 5 words that you think describe you best.

Then….

On a piece of paper write down 5 words that you think describe the person sitting next to you

Are any of the words the same?

Lets pick one word and draw it, what style of lettering will you create?– what colours will you choose to use?

The next 2 slides contain poems by a woman called Grace Nichols.Grace Nichols is an immigrant from the Caribbean, who now lives in England.Read the poems carefully. Think about them as if you are an old, black lady, living in a far away land.

If you don’t know any of the words, ask your parents or look them up online.

Tropical DeathThe fat black woman wanta brilliant tropical deathnot a cold sojournin some North Europe far/ forlornThe fat black woman wantsome heat/ hibiscus at her feetblue sea dressto wrap her neatThe fat black woman wantsome bawlno quiet tear jerk wipinga polite hearse withdrawal The fat black woman wantall her dead rightsfirst nightthird nightnine nightall the sleepless droningred-eyed wake nightsIn the heartof the mother’s sweetbreastIn the shadeof the sun leaf’s cool blessIn the bloomof her people’s bloodrestthe fat black woman wanta brilliant tropical death yes

The Fat Black Woman Goes ShoppingShopping in London winteris a real drag for the fat black womangoing from store to storein search of accommodating clothesand de weather so coldLook at the frozen thin mannequinsfixing her with grinand de pretty face sales galsexchanging slimming glancesthinking she don’t noticeLord is aggravatingNothing soft and bright and billowingto flow like breezy sun lightwhen she walkingThe fat black woman curses in Swahili/ Yorubaand nation language under her breathingall this journeying and journeyingThe fat black woman could only concludethat when it come to fashionthe choice is lean

Nothing much beyond size 14

Read the poems more than once. If you don’t understand them, read through them with your parents.Don’t forget that the woman in the poems comes from a different country, so some of the words might be a bit funny.

When you have read them both. Pick one you like the most. Print it out, and stick it in your sketchbooks. On one full page of your books, draw a full colour portrait of the woman in the poem. What does she look like? What is she feeling? What is in the background?