My project for unit 1 is somewhat inspired by the notes we took in class on neoclassical art and how they highlighted imperfection, unlike the Romans. I tried to study and highlight the ‘flaws and imperfections of my facial features (cracks in lips, bags under eyes, hair above lips, bump in the ear, smile lines, small freckles, etc.). This made me view my face as more detailed, experienced, and lived in than flawed. As for the process itself, it had its ups and downs. I started with the eyes; the first two went well, but I’m not as proud of the third one. I had to keep going, though and did the noses next. I think they turned out all right, not exactly my favorite because of the lack of detail, which is something I hope to work on. Next up were the ears, which I am somewhat proud of. They could use more detail, but I think I got the shape right. As for the mouths, I like how they look. My mouth was something I was insecure about for a long time (what with my cracked lips, crooked teeth, upper lip hair, smile lines, etc.), but drawing these things out made me realize how beautiful they really are. However, if I were to do the project again, I would have a more solid plan when it came to composition.
(Gallery)
The master artist that inspired this project is Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. He was a neoclassical artist in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The reason I chose him as my master artist is because I read about how, when drawing, he would always sketch the same thing over and over again until he came up with a version he liked, which is how I decided to go about the project. Another part of the inspiration was that he was a neoclassical artist, which (according to my notes from class) meant depicting imperfection through art. This was one of the themes I hoped to convey through my project.
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres wikipedia site:
The current artist that inspired this project is Jessee Cheremond. She’s a 20-year-old body positivity artist I’ve been keeping up with for a while. She paints people’s insecurities, which I find just so inspirational. Originally, I was just going to study my facial features and draw them out as the project description stated. However, after the study I realized there’s a lot about my face that doesn’t live up to society’s impossible beauty standards--yet I still love the way I look. So I decided to draw out these societal ‘flaws’ in a way that made them look like gained experience instead of what people have dubbed as faults.
Link to Jessee Cheremond’s instagram: