Self Portraiture to Selfie: How We See Ourselves Through Images

Faculty Advisor: Artist; MFA, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco

Research Program Introduction

How has depicting oneself evolved throughout time? Can we find new ways of communicating through portraiture by drawing in the digital age? 

This drawing and art history research program will cover the technical fundamentals of portrait drawing while simultaneously exploring how portraiture has changed and developed throughout history.

Along with individual written and artistic assignments, students will create a final independently directed self-portrait drawing inspired by the research discussed during each session. An accompanying “written academic statement” with the drawing will elaborate on the technical and conceptual decision behind the artwork. 

Project Topics

• Measuring and proportion

• Lighting and shading

• Composition in painting

• Concept and history of symbolism

• How to express emotion through the gaze in painting?

• Spatial relationships and perspective

Program Details

• Cohort size: 3 to 5 students

• Workload: Around 4 to 5 hours per week (including class and homework time)

• Target students: 9 to 12th graders interested in Art or Art History as a major or as a subject will gain insight and practice that can be applied to future studies. Drawing experience will be helpful but not required as a prerequisite.

• Required materials:

  • set of graphite pencils

  • a mirror

  • quality 18x24” drawing pad

  • erasers

  • reading materials will be digitally provided or linked online

  • Zoom and Google Doc