Week 1 Lesson 2

Week 1 Lesson 2- Art Practical
Lesson Objective - To show an understanding

of the work of Chuck Close and create a self-
portrait with correct facial features and
proportions.

Chuck Close and Photo-Realism
Large scale
portraits
Family and friends
Uses Graphs to
enlarge
Photographs
Began as a photo-
realistic painter,
then worked toward
abstraction

Close suffers from Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness,
in which he is unable to recognize faces. By painting portraits, he
is better able to recognize and remember faces.
Chuck Close,
Big Self-Portrait,
1967-1968
acrylic on canvas.
107 x 83
Chuck Close was
influence by the images
of the Pop Artists. He
felt the same way about
Americas dependence on
the second hand visual
experience.
Chuck Close,
Leslie, 1986.
Watercolor.
None of his portraits are
traditional. They tell us
nothing about the
subjects lives, feelings,
character, profession, or
social status.

His works are merely
paintings of photos of
faces.

Chuck Close,
Fanny, 1985.
Fingerpainting.
Chuck Close,
Lucas, 1986-87.
Oil Paint.

The overwhelming
detail forces us to think
not about the subject,
but about the image
itself- how and why it
was made.

Chuck Close,
Self Portrait,
2000.

Chuck Close,
Self-Portrait,
1991.
Oil Paint.
Chuck Close
Photo-Realism
http://www.artsconnected.org/artsnetmn/identity/close.html For more Vocab
He magnified every blemish
and imperfection.

His early work was created
using an airbrush, as to mimic
the mechanical quality of a
photograph.

The process of creating the
painting was equally
important to Chuck Close as
the finished image.

Using the school cameras, have a friend take some photos of your
face and print them off. Obtain a clear photograph of yourself (head
and shoulders) in black & white and print in A4. You will need this in
the next lessson.

Grid one of your photos and practise drawing your face on A3 Paper.
Task

1. Draw a grid on to your photo.
2. VERY LIGHTLY draw a grid in to your
book
3. Look closely at what is in each
square.
4. Copy the contents of each square in
to the correct blank square in your
book.
5. Start with light lines
6. Build up tones to give the illusion of
3D.

Independent Study - Theoretical
Task 1- Complete two pages about the History of Portraits in the
Renaissance.
Research and respond to the work of Chuck Close in your Visual
Journal
Remember to reference all artworks and to number your pages.

Key Vocabulary-
Self Portraits
Artistic Elements
Facial Proportions
Facial Features
Value
Observation
Tone
Before Modern Art
1. Portraits
2. Religion and Mythology
3. Scenes of everyday life
4. Historical Events
5. Landscapes
6. Still life
12
Week 1 Lesson 2- Art Theory

Lesson Objective - To show an understanding
of the work of Chuck Close and how portraits
have changed over the course of Art History.

Portraits
People have always liked
having their likeness
recorded for posterity but
only the rich could afford it.

Q: What does posterity
mean?

Recap on the Renaissance.
9/3/2014 Modern Art 13
How To Read A Portrait Give Handout
Facial Expression
What do the eyes and mouth reveal about the person/people in the painting?
Pose
What does the position of the body reveal about the person/people?
Gesture
What do the hands, feet, arms, or legs reveal about the person/people?
Clothing
What type of clothing is each person wearing (dressy, casual, work clothes)?
What does the clothing reveal about the person/people in the painting?
Point of View
Where was the artist standing when he, she painted this?
What do you see that makes you say that?
Environment
What do all the things around the person reveal? (Setting, background, props)
What is the location for the portrait? Inside/Outside?
Why do you think the artist included certain objects in the painting?
What does the location of objects say about their importance?
What time period do you think is being shown?
Feelings
What is the person feeling? What do you see that makes you say that?
If there is more than one person in the portrait, what are the relationships between the
people?
What are the relationships between the artist and the sitter?
What do you see that makes you say that?
Elements of Art
How does each of the elements of artcolor, line, shape, texture, space, value
contribute to the artists message about the person in the portrait?

Chuck Close (1940-)
Big Self-Portrait, 1967-
1968
I paint heads
because heads
matter to
everybody. If
you paint a face
big enough, its
hard to ignore.
Comparative Study
Leonardo Da Vinci
Mona Lisa 15031517
Cultural Context
What was happening historically, politically, socially,
religiously, intellectually, and/or economically at the time
it was made?
What were qualities of life at the time and place the piece
was made that may have affected its function and style?
Do historical events or overall aesthetic tastes relate to
the image/story depicted?

Compare and Contrast/Be Concise and to the Point
Explore the differences and similarities of the two works
being compared using the four topic areas discussed
above.

Begin with an opening paragraph stating the main point
of the comparison? (Remember to add the basics such as
identification.).

Each paragraph should discuss what is the same and
what is different about the works in regards to each topic
listed above. (e.g. one paragraph will discuss what is
similar and different regarding style.)

Start with main concepts and then move to relevant
details. (Remember to state the obvious.)

Use complete sentences. Each paragraph should focus on
one main concept/topic .

Conclude with a paragraph which sums up your main
ideas.

Using the sheet provided below, compare and
contrast the two portraits given in your Visual
Arts Journal.

Writing a Compare/Contrast Art History Essay
Important Points of an Art History Image
Identity
Who is the artist or is the artist unknown?
What period or style is it?
What is the name of the artwork?
To what culture does it belong?
Of what material/medium is it made?
What is its subject matter?
Style
How big is it? Does its medium affect the quality?
What are its formal elements (line, color, composition,
etc.)?
Is it abstract, naturalistic, idealistic, realistic, or a
combination?
How is the subject being depicted?
What is the origin of the style? - Is it a combination of
cultural styles?
Function/Symbolism(Often relates to cultural context)
What was it used for? Why was it made?
It is sacred or secular?
Does it communicate a message? Is it asking for
something?
Does it contain symbolism? What does it mean?

Example of a Comparative Appraisal

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Week 1 Lesson 2- Art Practical

Lesson Objective - To show an understanding

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