Submitted by: Sarah Wegenast, Aurora Middle School
9th Grade Art
Unit Six: Computer Art
Assignment 3: Self-portrait Collage

Date due: ________ Total Points: 100

Purpose: The purpose of this project is to create a self-portrait paper collage by integrating technology with traditional art.

Evaluation: The assignment below will be combined with all other assignments in this unit to determine your grade.

Instructions: Our focus in this assignment is on the representation of your self-portrait in several levels of color values. Your photo will be taken with a digital camera, opened in Photoshop and changed into value levels and 11 x 17-image size. All colors will be cut from construction paper.

A. Image Source

· You will need to have your picture taken with the digital camera. Stand in front of a white wall to eliminate busy backgrounds.

B. Digital Manipulation

1. Launch Photoshop and open your image. You will need to download the high-resolution image to your student folder and name it.

2. Crop the image of any excess. It should a vertical rectangle and not square.

3. Go to the Filters menu and select Artistic and Cut-out, change the levels to 8. Save and your name2.

4. Go to Image + Image size and change the document width to 11". You will only need to change one dimension. Make sure the "constrained proportions" is checked. Select inches and not pixels. Pixels are used for web photos and we are going use this photo for print. Change the resolution to 150. Click OK.

5. Make sure it is saved as a jpg file. Click on Print, Set up, and change the document size to Tabloid 11 x 17. Change to fast mode print. Print to the inkjet, not LaserJet. Check with me before you print.

C. Collage

1. Using scissors and or the x-acto knives you are going to cut out the different levels of color changes. Start with your overall outside perimeter of your portrait.

2. Trace the edge on the color of construction paper you want as your main color. Then start cutting and tracing the different levels of color values in the hair, face, clothes, etc.

3. Glue down the levels of construction paper before you lose track of them. Limit your color palette to 4 or 5 colors. Using one color but different values of that color counts as 1 color.

4. Glue on Oaktag. Use a colored pencil to lightly shade the area around the head. Choose one of the colors you used in the portrait. (Alternate: Glue to construction paper in color to enhance colors chosen for portrait).

E. Criteria for evaluation

· Computer manipulation and collage technique
· Art Rubric on skill/craftsmanship/originality/requirements/effort.