1. A Self Portrait Painting
In the Style of Modigliani for Art 10

2. Who was Modigliani?
Self Portrait

3. Amedeo Modigliani Born in Italy in 1884 and died 1920
He was a painter, sculptor and draughtsman and worked mainly in Paris
He studied the “masters” of the Renaissance – there is a linear grace in his work that is similar to Botticelli
He was strongly influenced in the beginning by Cezanne (an important French Post-Impressionist) and his use of subtle colour harmonies and composition
Modigliani was also influenced by Brancusi (a sculptor) as well as African masks
He was consumed by portraiture overall – both in his sculptures and his paintings
Modigliani led a rather self-indulgent lifestyle – he was addicted to drugs and alcohol, was considered a womanizer and had the reputation of being a bohemian – carefree and non-conformist
He died of tuberculosis at an early age, and his mistress at the time (pregnant with their 2nd child) committed suicide the day after his death
Information from the Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists

4. Some Artistic Influences…
Madame Cezanne in Blue, By Cezanne
Detail of The Birth of Venus, by Botticelli

5. More Influences
Brancusi
African Mask

9. What do you think the common visual characteristics of a Modigliani portrait are??

10. Characteristics of a Modigliani Portrait:
Elongation – oval faces with long necks and noses
Abstracted and simplified forms
Rich use of colour – juxtaposes colours for emotional effects
Well-defined use of line – strong sense of contour
Flattened sense of space – not a strong sense of 3-D shading

13. Modigliani’s Mistress

20. How will YOU approach your own “Modigliani” self portrait?

21. The Modigliani Self Portrait Project…
Artistic Process
We will be reviewing the traditional proportion rules for the human face.
Then, using a mirror, you will complete a “realistic” drawing of your face with some shading BUT using mainly contour line. Ask yourself, what are some key characteristics about my portrait that stand out? (ex. eye/nose/mouth/ear shapes, hairline, cheek bones, hair style, jaw line, facial expression, etc.) Should take only 1 class!
Using tracing paper, you will re-draw your self-portrait thinking about Modigliani’s style – create a more oval face shape, elongate the neck, use simple shapes for eyes, nose, etc.
Ask yourself what kinds of colours would work for your self-portrait painting and write them down. Will any colours you use be symbolic of your personality? Try to choose colours that juxtapose each other like Modigliani.
Now it’s time to paint! Using both a mirror and your drawing, you will complete an acrylic self portrait in the style of Modigliani. Start with a simple background using colours you have noted above. You will be drawing with the paint ON TOP of your background. Ms. Walsh will provide demos of this painting technique when needed. Focus on Modigliani’s style WHILE STILL making this portrait reminiscent of you.  Have fun!