This piece was created at Apex High School in December of 2017. It is in pencil and vine charcoal. It is a self-portrait using an expressive face, in this case a pouting and angry expression, with a frown. The background is the darkest part, using lines to create movement in the background, and the lighter focus is on the figure and facial features. The background is in vine charcoal and the foreground is in pencil.
The main focus is the facial expression, more than the rest of the body or the background. The background has clear lines that go in a diagonal direction. A point of interest is the hair because the lines flow in a way that gives it movement. The eyes and eyebrows also are a part of the focus because they add to the expression.
This piece is expressing negative emotions. It could be anger or disgust, depending on the interpretation. The original picture is a little less serious, the lightheartedness did not translate to the piece. It could make a person feel curious about why I am angry.
The most successful part of the piece in my opinion is the proportions of the facial features. They are proportional and look realistic when looking at it. One of the parts that need improvement is the hair. It could have more darker and lighter values, and the source of light could be clearer. I also could add more shadows and depth to the eye area and contours of the face. The clothing could also have more detail in the fabric such as folds and wrinkles. I like my idea, and I am happy with the way the expression turned out, which is close to the original picture.