Digital Fantasy Protraits

“Digital Fantasy Portrait” is the most popular art project I do with 8th grade art students. I begin the project with a power point presentation of the artwork by artist Jerry Uelsmann. His dream-like photographic montages trigger students’ imaginations and critical thinking skills. Afterwards, students used a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the contemporary artwork of Uelsmann with 19th century surrealist artist Rene Magritte. I display images of their artwork from museum websites to my class using a television as a monitor.
Students and I brainstorm about different ideas for their portraits. They list ideas and create thumbnail sketches. Afterwards, students look through photo CD’s and magazines for images. I encourage students to create original backgrounds with found items captured with digital camera.
Gathered images are imported into Photoshop. Students creatively layer the different photos together and incorporate shadows and reflections. Using their assembled photos they plan how to incorporate themselves into the artwork. They pose for a studio photograph. Photos are downloaded into the computer and placed on the server. Students retrieve their portrait, clean out the unwanted background and add this final layer to their work.
This year students will write poems or short one-page story about their artwork. Projects will be assembled into one book. Each student and the school’s library will receive a copy. Students will also read their books to preschool students at a local Head Start program.