Info/Lesson Onion Portrait

Onion Portrait-Your Identity in Layers
Trish Klenow
Lead Art Teacher Channelview High School
trish@trishklenow.com


Materials;
Plastic sheets; acetate, clear films, or transparencies
available from; Nasco 25” X 12’ roll $12.25
Blick Art Materials 50 sheet pad 8 ½”X 11” $20.79
Office Depot box of 100 8 ½” x 11” $26.99

Permanent markers or acrylic paint
Xacto knives or box cutters
Old books
Mirrors
Tape/glue

Objective; Students draw self-portraits on multiple layers of plastic to reveal hidden layers of their identity.

Goals;
• Students struggle with self-portraits, this method allows students to express more than just what they see at face value, but investigate what makes them unique.

• Students use postmodern principles design, primarily; layering, recycling, appropriation, and juxtaposition in their work.

Cultural Exemplars;
Alicia Escott
Graciela Sacco

Helpful Article
Olivia Gude Postmodern Principles: In Search of a 21st Century Art Education Art Education, v57 n1 p6-14 Jan 2004



Onion Portrait Step by Step

1. Draw your face on white drawing paper, use a mirror or photo, add value
2. Place a piece of plastic over your drawing, (tape down if desired) with a black permanent marker trace the main components, add some shading with hatching, crosshatching, or stippling
3. Place a second piece of plastic over the top, choose 2 opposite colored permanent markers, add values.
4. Place a final piece of plastic over the top, with a marker (fine tip is good) add text that expresses something about your personality. You may choose to add design elements also (a pattern, radial lines, etc.)
5. In your deconstruction book, cut a hole with a box cutter or x-acto knife that is slightly smaller than your plastic. The deeper the hole the more dramatic the layering.
6. Optional; make a door by cutting about 5-10 pages 3 sides only, flip over then cut the hole. When finished paint the door to look like steel, wood, or any desired texture.
7. Assemble the plastic layers in your book, you can use tape or use glue sticks to mount them. Place them apart at different depths, experiment for the best effect, then tape/glue in place.
8. Optional; paint the page in your book under all the layers to improve contrast.


Onion Portrait Rubric
Student Questions;
1. This project accurately reflects my identity because______________________

2. How did you feel about working on Plastic, and making so many layers? Explain_________________________________________________

3. Is there anything you could have done better? If so what?_____________
________________________________________

Teacher portion 15 points Each
_______Layering Process
________Self-Portrait accuracy/proportion
________Elements and Principles of Design/Organization
_______Craftmanship
________Meaning and Thoughtfulness
________Contrast
________Final Assembly/arranging in book (10 points)
________Total Comments______________________________________________

Onion Portrait

Click on the link to see a presentation on "onion portraits" a CHS lesson being presented at the Texas Art Education Association state convention.