Assignment – Unusual Perspective Self Portrait

Foreshortening, Proportion, and Scale

For this assignment, you will be drawing a self-portrait with a twist – you must draw the portrait from an unusual perspective that will force you to deal with one of the most complicated drawing techniques – foreshortening.

Foreshortening is the act of reducing or distorting parts of a represented object that are not parallel to the picture plane in order to convey the illusion of three-dimensional space as perceived by the human eye: often done according to the rules of perspective. Basically, objects that are closer to the viewer must be represented larger than objects that are farther away. In a portrait, it is accomplished by looking at the person from an unusual angle, usually with one or more limbs extended towards the viewer. This will challenge you to rely less on what you already know about the proportions of the human body and more on your skills at observation and visual perception.

For your assignment, you must complete 1 or more full journal pages with multiple practice sketches dealing with foreshortening of the body. You may use photographs or work from life (using a mirror). Once you are comfortable with foreshortening, complete 1 final paper of a foreshortened self-portrait that uses an interesting, unusual perspective. Include a background in the work to give the figure context and be creative with your composition. The drawing must be fully rendered in your choice of media.


http://senshistock.deviantart.com/art/Foreshortening-from-Reference-253646364

http://www.pinterest.com/artbabe3/ap-breadth-foreshortening/

http://campus.kellerisd.net/Teachers/16220/Lists/Announcements/Attachments/79/Worksheet%20For%20AP%20Concentration%20Ideas.pdf