02_Gradient_Mesh_Portrait.

Outside Assignment:  Using the Gradient Mesh tool, create a self portrait, based on a photograph.   

Due:  Sunday December 24

Outcomes:  Uses gradient mesh, along with pen, gradient, and color tools to recreate an image.  

Before you begin:  You will need a good quality portrait image of yourself.  Note:  a portrait means that your face will take up about 80 percent of the picture plane.   The higher the resolution of the image, the better the results you will have. 

1. Using the gradient mesh tool, you will begin by creating an all over mesh of your face.  You do not need to be specific in the initial gradient mesh.  This will be much like the apple exercise you completed in the previous exercise.
2. Build up facial features--including the nose, ears, eyes, and more working with complex mesh shapes-as completed in the coffee cup tutorial
3. Finally, complete hair and other attributes using whatever tools you deem most effective.

Remember to keep the form simple.  We are making an illustration... like an "anime" version of yourself.  Here are some examples from previous classes.   Notice how the portrait is built up from a background forward.  Use the gradient to give the head the volume.   You can then use gradient mesh to add in features (mouth, nose eyes, etc) and you can build up from there.

BELOW IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE PROCESS OF BUILDING-starting with a general mesh of the face and finishing with a specific mesh.

Here the artist begins with the neck and clothing

A general mesh of the face begins the building process

Adding the features bring the character to life

Adding the hair (note this is a simply a gradient and not a gradient mesh) 

Adding the background

And VOILA!  The Portrait is finished.  This is long and somewhat tedious process.  Don't try and tackle the entire thing in one sitting.  Just do one mesh at a time until you have completed the portrait.