Presenting the Self

“I paint self-portraits because I am so often alone, because I am the person I know best.” Frida Kahlo

The self-portrait, a self-representation of the physical or psychological likeness, is a subject long undertaken by artists, using a model that is always available and at no cost. The self-portrait is the optimum opportunity for as artist to make the most pleasing or piercing revelation of his or her identity, character, status, and personality. Artists can choose to represent themselves objectively or present a more personal expression of their personalities or characteristics. A self-portrait is the most personal story and artist can tell.

Before the invention of photography, a portrait was the only way to record someone’s likeness. After photography made realistic portraiture accessible and affordable to more social classes, not just the rich and powerful, artists were free to become more experimental and explore new kinds of portraiture. So could your students.

Students may be reluctant, at times, to do realistic self-portraits, especially if they are doubtful about their drawing skills. In many traditional self-portraits, the focus is on the face with all the elements of the composition designed to draw attention to it. Yet contemporary self-portraits may include profile, frontal, three-quarter, full length views or no image of a person at all. They may be tiny or monumental in size, realistic or abstract, or two- or three-dimensional.

Fortunately, there are as many ways to create self-portraits, as there are media and techniques. Why not consider offering many choices for your students? SchoolArts' articles this month present a variety of approaches for every grade level to representing the self.

Another approach to consider with your students is to make writing an integral part of the self-portrait process. Have students research and consider the connections and similarities between self-portraiture and autobiography. (Vincent van Gogh’s letters about his works would be one good source to share with students.) Writing could take place before, after, or during the art making process.

Either way, making self-portraits can be engaging and meaningful for your students at any age.