Transfer Enriched Self-Portrait

Submitted by: Barbara Rhodes, retired art teacher
Title: Transfer Enriched Self-Portrait Portfolio

Unit: Portfolio Decorations – Art I
Total Sessions: 3
Total Project Points: 300

Media:

Your choice of colored media (Watercolor Paint - Colored Pencils - Crayons - Acrylic Paint – Mixed media); #2 Drawing Pencils for sketch; Sharpie Fine Point Markers to ink name and period; Posterboard; Duct Tape; Scissors; Acetone; Masking Tape; your photo which will be given to you by your teacher; Old Brushes for acetone; some object like a spoon, fake credit card (comes in mailers) or a tongue depressor to rub with.

Vocabulary:

Application, technique, transfer, acetone, media

Purpose:

To create a unique portfolio. The portfolio is used to store and transport art so it must be sturdy. The portfolio’s exterior is seen by many throughout the year and reflects on the commitment and work ethics of the artist (unfinished reflects poorly on the artist’s commitment and responsibility level).

General:

You are to build a portfolio. Transfer your photo onto the outside and create a painting enhanced with colored pencil drawing or ink line drawing over the transferred image. The shown image is one done by a NLRHS student.

Daily Goals
1st Day: Fold your Posterboard in half and tape your poster board on the two ends closest to the fold. You leave the top open to insert art work.

Students will take pictures of each other using cell phones or digital cameras. Using Photoshop, the images are given a high contrast. Their images are printed and then copied. You must transfer the image using a copy machine rather than directly from the printer. Place the copied image on the center of the Posterboard face-down. Dip a cotton ball in acetone and dab the back of the copy until the copy is saturated with acetone. You can burnish the back of the paper using a wooden spoon, fake credit cards, or tongue depressors. See this page for a information on transfers using acetone.

2nd Day: Your transfer must be completely dry before you begin adding color. Use colored pencils, crayons, watercolors, or acrylics to colorize your image. Don't forget to create a background around your image. Use your imagination. Make it uniquely yours. If you are having your students use their portfolios for class, they should add their names and periods in ink or marker on the upper right edge of your portfolio.

3rd Day: Finalize by the end of class. Bring your portfolios up for a grade. Work on extra credit if you are done early. Click on the image above for full size.