Art Students Create Self Portraits
Student self portraits are on display in the halls of Geary High School. The paintings are mixed media self portraits using transparencies, incorporating collage elements and reverse painting techniques with acrylic paint. Students began with a contour drawing (or an outline) of their portraits using sharpies on the front side of the transparency sheets, focusing on main outlines and defining details, including wrinkles in their clothing. They then chose different decorative papers for their backgrounds and clothing, layering them behind the transparency. Acrylic paint was then used to paint their skin, hair, and facial features. Some chose to paint different parts of their clothing. According to art teacher Liza Pauline, "We were discussing the Principle of Design "CONTRAST", and I asked the students to try to use contrasting warm and cool colors, creating these visually dynamic, somewhat abstracted portraits."