This portrait is made up of 120 two-inch squares that were drawn by beginning art students who had no idea who or what they were drawing!
After practicing drawing random shapes and values, students were given a coded 1/2" square of a cut-up photograph along with a 2" square and asked to enlarge and reproduce what they saw on each square. As students finished the pieces, I wrote the code (in the correct orientation) on the back of the 2" square.
When all squares were finished, art students met at lunch to assemble the large "mystery portrait" puzzle.
I first did this group project in 2001 and while there are always some distortions and a few discrepancies, multiple students are able to create a remarkable likeness, one square at a time.
With this introduction--along with a study of the techniques and methods of contemporary artist, Chuck Close--students are ready to begin more challenging drawings, including their own gridded self-portraits.
Fall 2002 Mystery Portrait
Fall 2004 Mystery Portrait
Fall 2006 Mystery Portrait
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Unfortunately, the VHS version of "A Portrait in Progress" may now be difficult to find.
The DVD may be available here:
OTHER CHUCK CLOSE RESOURCES
Large Phil Fingerprint, 1979
Close, Chuck
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
