Self Portrait Creativity Exercise

Feeling like you are in the artistic doldrums? Try this great exercise to spark your creativity or escape artists' block.

Materials  Needed:

• scissors
• glue
• your journal or paper
• stack of old magazines,            old books,
  or a pile from your collage collection
• kitchen timer

Instructions:

1. Set a kitchen timer for 45 minutes (or less). If you don't have a timer, just make a mental note of the time. You can get caught up in this and go over, that is fine. But don't obsess and obsess for hours trying to create something perfect. Just go, create. Don't over think or over analyze this exercise.
2. Create a quick background on paper or in your art journal. My favorites for a quick background are Lumiere paints - they are metallic and dry quickly. I also like the Caran d'Ache Water soluble crayons - scribble on the page, then smear with water using a paintbrush or your fingers. The only drawback is this takes a while to dry - and remember your time limit! The example image was created on plain white cardstock.
   
3. While your background is drying, sort through your collage pile or the magazines. Cut out anything that appeals to you or represents you. For example, on the above collage, I cut out the paintbrush and the scissors because they are among my favorite art supplies. Remember you are "building" a body - so be sure to snip out some arms, eyes, etc. Also cut out some random shapes and patterns. Above all - don't obsess. Just go through this quickly.
4. Begin your collage. Don't glue anything down, but piece your collaged self together. You won't use everything you found going through the magazines. Remember to keep it funky and not too literal.
5. Glue everything together and you have your own self portrait. If you are feeling like journaling, write about yourself and why you picked the elements you did.

Comments

[arlee]

A very cool idea and exercise! Will have to try this in textiles :} Thank you!