BISA BUTLER SELF PORTRAITS

 Bisa Butler Self Portraits

Learning Targets

I can...

• Create an original Bisa Butler Self Portraits using printmaking techniques learned in class
• Use line variation (continuous, contour, outline), shape types (geometric, organic, free form), and texture (actual, implied, visual) inspired by American Fiber Artist (1973-Present) Bisa Butler
• Use drawing techniques (cross hatching, stippling, scribbling) and design principles (balance, portion, harmony) based on Fiber Art
• Define Portrait (a painting or drawing of the face, head, and shoulders)

Lesson One
Day One, Art Start

1. The Tea (2017) Bisa Butler

2. Read "Bisa Butler: Portraits" by Erica Warren

3. Discussion Questions "Do you think this is a self-portrait? How does this portrait make you feel? Are you interested in the portrait? Do you like the way the artist has arranged the picture? Do you like the way the artist has shown details? Can you predict if a male or female artist created this portrait? What is a portrait? Why do artist paint portraits? Who is the person in the portrait? How old is the person? What does the picture tell you about the time that the subject was made? How do you think the artist felt about the person he or she painted? How do you think the person in the picture is feeling? What is the mood of the person in the picture? How can you tell?"

Lesson Activities

1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper

2. Use graphite pencil to draw line types (contour, outline, continuous) of facial proportions (head, face shoulder) of self portrait

3. Use graphite pencil to add facial features (eyes, nose, mouth, eyebrows) to the positive space (portrait) of the Bisa Butler Self Portraits 

Day Two, Art Start

1. Retrieve Bisa Butler Self Portraits for Assigned Tables

2. The Princess (2017) Bisa Butler

3. Discussion Questions "How has the artist arranged the portrait? Do you think the person posted for this portrait? Where is the person looking (at the viewing, away, at something else)? If there is more than one person in the picture, are they touching? What could this mean? What does the background and the objects in the background of the picture tell us? How much space has the artist left around the person? How is the space being used? What view of the person is pictured? Is the portrait realistic or is the portrait abstract? What shapes can you see in this portrait? Are the lines in the portrait straight or curved? How often does the artist repeat certain colors or shapes within the portrait?"

Lesson Activities

1. Add adornments (piercings, tattoos, hairstyles) to the positive space (portrait) of the self portrait

2. Add costumes (jewelry, clothing, make up) to the positive space (portrait) of the self portraits

3. Use black sharpie marker to outline the face features (eyes, nose, mouth) and facial proportions (head, face, shoulder) of the Bisa Butler Self Portraits

Day Three, Art Start

1. Retrieve Bisa Butler Self Portrait for Assigned Table

2. Set Up Studio Area (acetate, sharpie markers, pens)

Lesson Activities

1. Use primary colors (red yellow blue) to fill in the positive space (clothing, jewelry, facial features) of the self portrait

2. Use primary colors (red blue yellow) to fill in the negative space (background) of the self portrait

3. Use value (lightness, darkness) to add shadows (reflective shadow, cast shadow) and highlights (reflective light, light source) to the Bisa Butler Self Portraits

Artist Examples

Student Examples