DVB102: W7 | #oneperday2023
Image as Identity | Shhhh
Planning
Technique: digital (Procreate)
Process: in order to come up with ideas for my self-portrait, I used the provided questions to build an image in my head of what could represent me. I then narrowed it down and picked what I wanted to include in the image (my eyes, roses, etc...). Finally I made some color palettes and drew a little thumbnail, although the final image is very different from this.
Image 1 (Black and White)
Technique: digital (Procreate)
Process: in my head, I could picture the full-color version of the image, so I had to think carefully about how to coney it in only black and white. I started by drawing the roses and duplicating and positioning them around the canvas until it was covered. On a new layer I drew the eyes and erased the area around them on the layer underneath. I then drew the leaf shapes and used the eraser to create the vein-lines. I also used the eraser to draw the water droplet details on the roses. Finally I used alpha-lock to add a texture reminiscent of relief printing, since unfortunately I was unable to make this week's images traditionally.
Reflection: because the two elements I was most drawn to during my planning phase where roses and (my) eyes, and wanted these to be the main points. I didn't want to make a traditional self-portrait of my face, so I am glad I was able to be more symbolic. I made the eyes reminiscent of a cat or even a dragon, since these were the animals I thought of while brainstorming. This means that they don't really look like my actually eyes (although they a a bit green) but I am glad I was able to include the animal prompt into my self-portrait, and I do relate to them. The roses are very important to me, so while they are not always the focal point of these images, I wanted to make sure they were prominent. The roses represent me on two different levels. I have always been drawn to them, and if I had a favorite flower, they would be it. My middle name is also Rose, and people (especially my family) have always drawn a connection between me and the flower. I have always felt that I am more of an observer, rather than someone who will speak up and act first. I think this self-portrait and especially the watchful eyes within convey that aspect of my person. My birth marks/beauty spots were another facial feature I wanted to include in the work, so I represented them with droplets of water on the roses, close to the general positions they are on my face.
Image 2 (Black and 1 Color)
Technique: digital (Procreate)
Process: for this version, I simply duplicated the B&W version and changed the colors of each layer to suit. I used various shades of the same red, creating a monochromatic image. I had to redraw a few elements due to issues with the ordering of my layers, but this was a simple fix.
Reflection: while I love this red, I think only being able to use one color hindered my ability to make this visually interesting, and it ended up blending together too much. I want to learn more about values in order to improve upon this for future works. I think this image would have also benefitted from some black line art on the roses, to add more depth and detail. The red is an important aspect of my self-portrait, as it is both the color I am most drawn to, and my name is also Ruby, meaning a deep, rich red color, like the gemstone. I feel that in this version, the red also gives the image a consuming, eerie feeling of danger.
Image 3 (Black and 2 Colors)
Technique: digital (Procreate)
Process: since this self-portrait allowed for 2 colors, I was able to add green to make a complementary color scheme. I again duplicated the previous image to save some time, and changed a few of the colors on the layers. I made the background black, as well as changed the leaves and eyes to green. For the eyes, I wanted a little more depth, so I lightened the center but kept the pupils black for contrast. Finally I added some texture to the BG, which I realized was missing from the previous version.
Reflection: while this version only adds one more color, I think the green is an important part of my self-portrait. It has always been a favorite color of mine, my eyes are half green I would say, and it also compliments the roses very well. I think the eyes were the most improved, as the green makes the focal point and really separates them from the roses. I do wish they were a little brighter and more striking, but I think I do this well in the final poster.
Image 4 (Black and White Poster)
Technique: digital (Procreate)
Process: I actually did the full color version of the poster first, then changed the saturation and brightness of the individual layers to make it B&W.
Reflection: I think I should have given the roses more of a differentiation in values, but I wanted to keep the image overall fairly black and white. Including the dark shadows beneath the text and thorns, as well as the lightness over the eyes does cause the image to technically become grayscale. However I felt that making this poster only two tones would cause it to lose to much distinction between the lines. (See Image 5 for full reflection on this poster).
Image 5 (Color Poster)
Technique: digital (Procreate)
Process: I started the process for this final poster by using the self-portrait and adding the different elements in new layers. I first drew the thorny vines in the same green hue and then added a black shadow underneath to help highlight and separate it from the roses and leaves in the background. I then looked at a few fonts before deciding to handwrite the text in the bottom-half of the image. I also put a shadow underneath this to make it clearer. Finally, I made a linear light layer and added a bight green glow over the eyes to draw attention to them.
Reflection: although this is technically a poster, I feel that this is the best version of my self-portrait. I think the thorny vines are a nice addition visually, and make for a good border. The thorns also represent how I would consider myself a rather guarded person. I decided to title the images 'Shhhh', because when I thought about the one word that I would use to describe myself, it was 'quiet'. To be clear, I am not always a quiet person, but it is something I value in both myself and my surroundings. I positioned this over where I thought the mouth would generally go to tie into the meaning of the text. I also think it contributes to the creepy and mysterious tone of the image. Overall, I really like this poster, and I enjoyed the process of making a self-portrait more that I thought I would.
