Chuck Close

His use of compositions, technique and use of color

Who was Chuck Close

• painter, photographer, and printmaker • Close’s work is based on the use of a grid as an

underlying basis for the representation of an image.

• all his work is made the old-fashioned way—by hand.

• While a painting can occupy Close for many months, it is not unusual for one print to take upward of two years to complete

Lets review

• Vocabulary– The elements of art– Space– Value– Lines– Shapes– Composition

• New word “aesthetics” – Does it look good to you?

Technique• How he used pattern and

value– He used different

compositions to create unique proportions of the face

– Used a grid to transfer photos onto canvas

– Used colors and patterns to create unique looking portraits

• How we will use– Create a unique

composition of the face….– Create a grid on both photo

and your paper– Transfer your photo using a

grid– Create five patterns you

will use on your blocks of the face

– The use of patterns to create values

How we will use patterns

Look at the patterns on the faces…. Now get your own ideas

How we will use color

• Look at his use of color…now lets look at how we will use it

examples

examples

Objectives• Students will • 1. Show an understanding and awareness

of the work of Chuck Close. Understand how an artist gets ideas.

• 2. Use ruler skills in creating a grid - develop skills in enlarging a composition using a grid. Study proportion.

• 3. Recognize values and create values using line, pattern and simulated textures. Develop Contrast through values. 

Student Examples

Below are a list of examples done by students, in the style of Chuck Close

examples

examples