DECONSTRUCTING THE HUMAN FACE USING LEAF VEINS IN PAINTING

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Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
This study deconstruction of human face using leaf veins in painting,seek to deconstruct the human face through a systematic simplification of the human face from a representational rendition to a minimalist possibilities using dicotyledons leaf veins. This study has brought to forea unique styleand mode of expression in painting through the use of dicotyledons leaf venations a toolfor deconstruction of human face. With the following objectives to; render the human face in representational form, create stylized human faces, reduce the human face to minimalist possibilities using dicotyledons leaf veins.The research started by looking at the works of artists who have deconstructed the human face through various means, this however led to analysing of their works. However, the review did not indicate artists? extensive systematic deconstruction of the human face using leaf veins. The methodology used for this research was practice led.Different species of leaves with monocotyledons and dicotyledons leaves veins were collected from their natural habitat and observed. Leaves with dicotyledons venations were later employed in the research on the basis of their aesthetic quality and thickness of their veins. The researcher made use of tools such as camera, sketchpad, to gather data like photographs of children?s? faces and images of selected species of leaves.Data collected were analysed in different stages i.e.;Representational: this stage saw the production of drawings that captured human face in naturalistic manner. Stylisation: sketches from this category employed distortions and exaggerations of the facial features through integration of geometric shapes to depict features. Abstraction: this stage also saw a schematicrendition of the human face by formal simplification and placing emphasis on the representation of geometry, gradual elimination of three dimensional depths, reinterpretation of recognizable facial features, through redefinition of each of the shapes. Minimalism:at this stage emphasis is based on interception and clear depiction of geometric shapes with sharp edges using straight lines, and diagonal lines. All drawings and sketches were later used to generate paintings based on the stated objectives. This study established that veining patterns from dicotyledons leaf can be used to create paintings in studio exploration.The researcher realized that with detail representation of recognisable facial features, representational rendition of the human face could be achieve when leaf veins are imprinted in a cluster manner, which equally brings to mind an impressionistic rendition of the human face. Again, the study has shown that, multiple point of view and mask-like imagery could be achieved, through the depiction of geometric shapes to represent facial features as a means of stylising the human face.