Inspiration
Currently on view in Tense and Release: Art and Mood from the Permanent Collection are several examples of both individuals’ and families’ portraits. These works highlight a variety of individuals, emotions and relationships. The crisp lines in Portrait of Mother and Child inspired TMA staff to consider the various ways lines could be used to create our own portraits.
Watch the video below to see someone making a portrait using a blind contour drawing technique. While looking in a mirror, create your self-portrait. Once you are finished, reflect on your work and use the prompts provided to respond in writing with a five line poem.
Create
Line Drawings: Self-Portraiture
- Continuous Line Drawing is essentially an outline, where the artist sketches a picture without lifting the drawing tool.
- A blind contour drawing is similar to a contour drawing, but in this case, the artist does not look at the paper while creating their drawing.
Materials needed: paper, Sharpie marker and mirror
Respond
Write a five line poem from the perspective of your contour line sketch. Use these prompts to begin each line.
I am…
I wonder…
I want…
I say…
I am…
Unknown Artist, Portrait of Mother and Child, 1775-1799, oil on canvas. Collection of the Tucson Museum of Art. Gift of the Estate of Frederick R. Pleasants. 1977.24