Design Principles Exercise 4 || Self-Portrait

Design Principles

Week 5 - Week 7(9/10/2021)
Jodiann Yeoh Chooi Kit 0352238

Module : Design Principles

Task : Exercise 4 || Self-Portrait

Lecture

The lecture video started off with a question, "Who am I?". We are social creatures that communicate through socialising, singing, speaking, reading etc. There are cases when sometimes what we intend to convey is understood as it is but there are times where our message can be misinterpreted as having another meaning. Our image to others may differ from how we view ourselves. We are seen in a different way by our parents then how are our friends view us. Just because we may show another side of us depending on who we surround ourselves with.

We see ourselves differently and may define ourselves through the things we own, how ones character and style are inspired by what we see, etc.

Fig 1. Slide from Lecture

The next question was, "What Defines Me?". What defines yourself are the things that make your vulnerable and depicts who you are personally. 

A question to ponder on is, what is the meaning of self-portrait? It is a self representation for drawing/painting/sculpture/design. It is a visual to depiction of the self. It represents the designer/artist in other words, how he sees himself, what he's feeling, and how he wants to be seen by others. It's not necessarily about creating a realistic image of yourself but instead it is often an exercise and self exploration.

Create a Mind Map to discover more about myself and how others view me. Which area would I want to touch on when designing my self-portrait.

Fig 1.1 Mind Map of Self

Instructions

Source of inspiration

Fig 2. Artwork by August Lamm

August is the main subject of almost the entirety of her creations. She digitally creates these oddball pieces which textures and strokes resemble a thick pen. I think it requires much talent to understand how each stroke contribute to the whole picture. Her poses include a clear cup/ vessel which is filled with liquid and is then placed in front of the face to create an illusion much like what a magnifying glass would do. Features becomes exaggerated which makes a silly image. I will be exploring with her technique and style.

Fig 2.1 Painting by Emilio Villalba

Emilio is one of my favourite painters when it comes to the human face, but with a twist. He creates illusions through additional or subtractions of facial features which makes it seem "trippy". It feels as if you're feeling dizzy, or wearing glasses which are too powerful for your eyes. The way he lays his paint is so spontaneous yet particular which I very much admire. I intend to explore with his style and technique aswell.

Fig 2.2 Photography by Jenny Saville (she's the subject of this image)

I think its so special and unique how she's not afraid to show her raw, true self in natural form/ showing her naked body. To me, this image tells me that she is not conforming to society's view on what beauty should be. Her curves, cellulite, and showing the most unflattering positioning of herself shows how strong the message is. Her blemishes on her skin is clearly depicted through the clear panel which separates her and the viewers, a metaphor which indicates barriers to overcome and to break the norm.

Exploration through photography on distortions

Fig 3. Both images above are old pictures of a former classmate.

Fig 3.1 An old picture of a former classmate

The 3 images of my classmates is inspired by the subject poses by Jenny Saville as shown earlier on where the face/ body is squashed onto a clear panel which then makes the face move into unnatural positions.

Fig 3.2 Photograph of my dad with his wine addiction

Fig 3.3 Photograph of self

The two images above of my dad and myself is inspired by the subjects poses. Our facial features are clearly exaggerated and stretched in an odd manner.

Try-outs

Fig 4. Old artwork which I felt was relevant (Inspired by Emilio Villalba's painting style)

This artwork was done using mixed media of oils and acrylics. I wanted to capture both the technique of distorting the face as well as his painting style and colour scheme.

Fig 4.1 Acrylic painting I did of a friend which is also relevant to what my final design will be (Inspired by Jenny Saville's subjects poses which concentrates on distortions). I went for a more abstract take.

Fig 4.2 Design of me inspired by August Lamm(Self-Portrait)

I tried August's specialised technique called "cross-hatching" and clearly its not my forte and I was dissatisfied with this piece. I felt that it did not resemble me at all, except for my distorted reflection in the glass cup filled with water. I would say it does not reflect how I am and I do not feel a personal connection to this piece in particular. I felt that I could do better and decided that this wouldn't be my final design.

Further Exploration

Fig 5. Photograph's of self

Fig 5.1 Chosen Photograph for final

Fig 5.2 Self-Portrait Painting which is yet to be completed

Fig 5.3 JPG of Final/ Completed Self-Portrait Painting (9/10/2021)

I touched up on the bottle to make it look more reflective like the surface of actual glass. I also made my hair resemble more like the reference image(realistic take). Lastly, the body was also touched up on to show my bodily indents and bone structure as well as my olive green top. I made sure that the body and background did not have too much detail to ensure that the main focus is on my face & distorted face.

Fig 5.4 PDF of Self-Portrait Final

Media : Mixed Media(Acrylics, Oils)

Surface painted on : Recycled wooden panel

Message & explanation behind my self-portrait

I wanted to convey those tiny bodily and facial imperfections of myself as something that is in fact perfect and something that should be celebrated & impeccably reflects what I strive through in my art.

I am personally someone who is insecure and lacks the confidence to put myself out there. I often worry a lot which contributes to the deterioration of my mental health and compulsive nail biting which often results to me knowing down to the flesh till it bleeds. Its an embarrassing and disgusting trait I admit and I'm often told to stop doing so, but thats easier said than done. Its just a constant cycle where I get nervous to shake hands or take a drink off a waitress because I'm afraid of what they'll think of my fingers, which then makes me bite in even more from the thought of it. 

However, I feel that I've utilised that internal war within myself to create my art which I am proud of.

As for my final design, as you can see, on one end of the glass, I look normal like everyone else, and on the other side I look very much distorted and my features are elongated. The warps and cracks/ torn pieces of the wooden panel also symbolises my imperfections. I'd say the bottle magnifies how I really am which is perceived differently by everyone, like accepting me as someone with internal conflicts but also see me for my unique and positive side aswell. Or they can just view me negatively entirely. 

Its a matter of looking past ones grey areas of someone/ oneself and accepting it as something that makes me, me. 

Feedback

Week 7 (5/10/2021)

Dr. Jinchi reviewed looked through this blog and said that she could roughly see my direction and that in terms of the style I'm going for, its good, my "further exploration" sections images was also good.

Moreover, she said that my explanation of what my message is has a very salient point and it depends on how you look at it at the end of the day, or impression & perception is all about how we choose to see something. It also challenges our reality. I was quite impressed by how Dr. Jinchi was able to see my message and expand on that, which tells me that my explorations were effective in conveying a message.

She asked me, "How do you want to complete it?". I stated that its still unfinished especially the body area and some details. She then said that she likes the background, like a torn piece of wood and that I should leave it the way it is(background) as it is good already.

She advised me to think carefully on what & how I'd add into the painting as it is unlike digital art where things can be undone. She concluded that everything else was great and that after I complete the finishing touches & describe the rationale of the work, I should be good to go/ ready for submission.

Reflection

Week 7 (5/10/2021)

I found this exercise in particular to be enjoyable as portraiture is my area of strength when it comes to art. I felt that I have done a thorough and in-depth research & exploration which resulted in a satisfactory outcome. It was ultimately contributed by the knowledge and detailed feedback which was given by Dr. Jinchi which gave me much to think on and develop on. 

Final Reflection after completion (9/10/2021)

It was in a way therapeutic that I'm able to do something I enjoy whilst being able to touch on the importance of mental health. Through this, I shared something which is very personal and sensitive to me which I honestly was skeptical about but I'm glad I've done so as it contributed to the success of the end results. This is like a diary except a whole lot of people are reading it.

I hope to help people understand that your downsides does not define who you are but it is a part of you, and that its so helpful to use that to make something beautiful & special out of it.