Chuck close inspired portraits instructions

CHUCK CLOSE

With Mrs. Hurd

Portrait Project

Step 1:• Find a reference photo on the internet

Use google, or facebook, Instagram, etc…• Right click image and save as .jpeg

*TIPSLook for an image that is HIGH CONTRAST- that means extreme highlights and shadows< means to click with the mouse

Step 2:• Open Photoshop• <file• <open• < find saved photo

Step 3:Convert image to grayscale• <Image• <Mode• <Grayscale

Step 4:Unlock layer(Layers are located on the right hand side of the screen. This program uses lots of layers. Each time you edit a new layer will appear)• Double click to

unlock<Ok

Step 5:Create a duplicate layer• Right Click on the layer• <Duplicate Layer

Step 6:Adjust the Brightness/Contrast(Try to tweak so that it is high contrast-extreme shadows and bright white highlights)• <Image• < Adjustments• Brightness/Contrast

Step 7:• Resize image

The reference photo should be 6x8 or 8x6 inches.• <Image• <Image Size

*TipsMake sure you are using inches not pixels

Step 8:We are going to create a grid across the entire image. This will serve as a guide when enlarging & transferring drawing.• Click on the LINE TOOL• <Click on the color swatch

to change the color of your line. Determine if you need a dark color or a light color.

Step 9:• You need a ruler to make

a grid.• <View• <Rulers

Create a new layer so that the grid will be on top of the image and will be easily removed later.• <the icon that looks like a

piece of paper with the corner folded up

Step 9:• Begin creating the grid• Line up the cross hair

with the inches on the rulers• Do all your vertical lines,

then do the horizontal lines• Each time you make a

line it will create a new layer• Make sure your lines are

straight!

Step 10:• Merge line layers to create the grid• <on the top layer

Scroll down and click on the last line layerThey should all be highlighted in blue• Right click and <merge layers• You should now have a grid layer, a layer that has been altered with

brightness contrast sliders, and original

*Do you see the eye ball icon? This icon controls what layers can be seen.

PRINTING• <File• <PrintPrint 1 image with grid. < eyeball icon off of grid layer<File <PrintPrint 1 image without grid

Save & Close• <File• <SaveSave file and exit out of program

The Grid Method

Now its time to begin drawing• Grab supplies

Ruler, pencil, eraser, 12x18 drawing paper• The reference photo is 6x8 or 8x6 with a 1 inch grid• The good drawing paper is 12x18 or 18x12. You need to place a 2

inch grid across the drawing paper• DRAW LIGHTLY!!! We will be erasing the grid later and it should not

be seen in the final artwork.• DO NOT BEGIN SHADING

You should be creating a contour outline of all the shapesWhen that is finished we will begin shading after demonstration

Outline Grid Drawing

This is what your drawing will look like after grid is erased and it has been shaded.

Value Map Shaded Drawing

View finderTo aid in correct proportions you will need to create a view finder. This will help you concentrate on drawing the correct shapes.1. Use scrap sketchbook paper or copy paper2. In the center measure a 1x1 inch square3. Use scissors and cut out square (fold paper, snip, poke scissors into

square and cut out- DO NOT CUT UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PAPER!)

4. Use this to cover all the square on the reference paper except the one that you are drawing.

Numbering• Number each grid square on reference photo• Number each grid square on drawing paper (LIGHTLY)• Transfer square by square until the drawing is done• NO CHEATING- DO NOT TRY TO DRAW MORE THAN ONE GRID

SQUARE AT A TIME- break it into simple shapes.• When you are finished you should have a contour outline drawing-

that looks similar to a paint by number.

Pre-shaded Examples