Wednesday, April 14, 2010

detail or not ot detail


details...
Yesterday I got right to fusing down all the pieces...
if i didn't, I knew they'd end up all over my floor and I would have to do it all over again.

When I was in college, many of us would draw caricatures of people for side cash...
If you were really good you could get a job at ValleyFair (sort of like Six flags)
drawing people as a summer job... woohooo! (not me)
But I did pick up a few tricks...

the trick to them is picking the details that most define the
person your looking at...
and exaggerate those features...

This is a good trick for this project except instead
of exaggerating the details, put most of your effort into those details...

So instance, for me, my eyes, my big bottom lip, and my big ears..
I cleverly picked a photo that hides my ears a bit... ;-)
So i paid extra attention to my eyes and lips...

if you look back at the first few attempts, you can see the progress, of
TOO MUCH INFORMATION, to, my leaving what is most important to the picture...


I left out some of the finer details, like on my ears hands and nose...
I only put in the HIGHLIGHT across my nose, and when I quilt it,
I will draw int he the actual shape of my nose...
(the other defining thing about my face is the BALL at the end of my nose...)
(darn family trait)
so I chose the highlight to accent that...

Perhaps a little border??

Even if you go abstract, picking the details that "sum you up"
will put the essence of you in the picture...


So far, I love seeing your attempts! I look forward to seeing more.
It is sort of a odd journey, isn't it? really looking at yourself...

Please remember also to keep comments about what you like about the progress.
Not to much, "do this or do that", unless people ask for that kind of input...


Try not to Think to hard about it...
take 15 minutes at a time... then step away from it...
when you come back to to it, you may find or see something new!

I see some great ideas here so far.
All different and unique.
Just like US!


Have fun playing!




12 comments:

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Wow V - SO liking what you are doing. Are you going to be teaching this at our retreat?

WoolenSails said...

Love hearing about your process. I took a photo with my laptop, it does not take photos that are usable, lol. Guess I will have to have my husband take some photos of me to get some head shots.

Debbie

Kim said...

Wow this really looks like you!
I am still stuck in finding a photo to use.....may have to start with a photo session :0)

Will you do thread details with the machine or by hand?

Happy Sewing

Barb in Mi said...

I just love to look at your portrait development line-up! It's a process (at least for me) of trial and error. Now I can see the difference so clearly - and hunt for the next best fabric color/ texture.
Thank you so much for sharing and teaching us with your magic example: it is or rather you are just beautiful!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

This is so good! I'm such a non-artist so I appreciate your little tips.

Anne at Film and Thread said...

I really like this better than what you started with. It has whimsy, but is enough more realistic that one wouldn't ever tire of looking at it. Great inspiration!

Julia Wood said...

I adore what you're doing with your self portrait! Yay you!

Kathy said...

I love the giant flower....that really adds to the picture!

Quilt Rat said...

Excellent. I love that you showed the various options......it really drives home the "Less is More" factor.
What amazes me is that you have a busy background and yet it stays in the background, You really come forward here........Well done!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

thanks! i had wondered if I needed to fill that space more, but was feeling like it balanced well, so thanks you just confirmed that it is enough! ;-)

I'm a little scared to quilt it... afraid to mess it up!!!

Unknown said...

I love this and I love the border!!!!! the colors rock....Melinda

9patchnurse said...

Wow V !! That is great, it looks so much like you. Fast work too. I'm still waiting for my daughter to email me the pics she took of me. Meanwhile I get to absorb lots of good tips from all of you, thanks.