Monochromatic

Self Portraits

VOCABULARYMonochromatic: A color scheme that is comprised of variations of one color (hue). Adding enough white to red will create pink. If black is added to red, a darker value such as maroon is created. A monochromatic color scheme of any given color will range from white to the various values of the one color to black.Shade: A darker version of a particular color. This is achieved by adding black to a color. The more black that is added creates a darker shade.Tint: A lighter version of a particular color. This is achieved by adding white to a color. The more white that is added creates a lighter tint.Hue: Another term for color. In color theory, hue refers to the pure color before any tint or shade is added.

Elements and Principles Used in this Lesson1.Value: An element of art that refers to the lightness

or darkness of a color.2.Color: Color is one of the most expressive elements

of art and is seen by the way light reflects off of a surface.

3.Emphasis: The center of attention or focal point.4.Proportion: The relative size or measure that gives

balance and harmony to a form.

Faces, like any other form, will have highlights and shadows, as well as other value changes.

Shadows are found in the eye sockets, under the nose, under the lower lip, and under the chin.

Highlights will be found in areas of the face that catch the light, such as the top of the nose, the forehead, and the checks.

Lighting will make a big difference where lights and shadows will be seen on any form, including the face.

When drawing a portrait, artists will use value changes to show the lights and shadows of the face. This helps give the drawing a three-dimensional look.

Value changes can happen with any color. When we add white to a color, it becomes lighter and is called a tint. When we add black to a color, it gets darker and is called a shade. All colors will have many tints that will get lighter and lighter, depending on how much white is added. The same is true for shades of a color as more and more black is added to it.

How many values of green do you see in this portrait?

Today you will paint a monochromatic self portrait. Monochromatic colors are all the colors (tints and shades) of a single hue (color).

You will use white, black, and one primary or secondary color. You will create at least five values of your chosen color, by adding white to create tints and black to create shades.

Examples of Students’Monochromatic Self Portraits.