Gods & Goddesses

R.C. Gorman, Native American Artist

Sandro Botticelli, The Birth of Venus

Artwork by Kara Desmond

Background:
Imagery is one of the most important elements when designing and publishing for the web. In order to create dynamic content for the web, users want to see high quality imagery. We will learn basic photographic principles, manipulate photos, and also how to save these files in different formats. 

Assignment:
Your assignment is to create a surreal self portrait using Gods & Goddesses or Native American spirits as inspiration. The Native American culture values the spirit world. Greek myths tell stories of Gods & Goddesses like Hercules and Aphrodite. What will your inspiration be?! Think of things that interest YOU. You will Photoshop multiple images to create this design. Be sure that your images work together cohesively.

Steps:

1. Read these notes on Digital Images in Design (we will read this together).
2. Draw a sketch of your concept (idea). Remember that it should be surreal and be based on a Native American spirit. You may NOT create a landscape; this should be a digitally manipulated surrealist portrait. 
3. File size in Photoshop: 11"x14" 
4. Work with a partner to photograph yourself with a "non-cheesy" pose. 
5. Isolate the shape of the body in Photoshop. Use a soft edged brush. Use pictures of your friends too! 
6. Juxtapose the God or Goddess with at least 4 other images. Your images should be your own imagery! Look back on vacation pictures, or you can take photos outside, or inside. Textures are also fun! So are brushes!
7. Search for a Photoshop tutorial. You are required to use at least 1 tutorial. EnvatoTuts is a great resource.​

Grading

• TECHNIQUE: Clean isolations, high quality images, blending techniques
• Show a sense of space (3-dimensionality)
• DESIGN: Have a visual impact (focal point/elements & principles)
• Visual cohesiveness
• Usage of surrealism
• Usage of tutorial

Resources

• Click here to view a list of spirits.
• Brushes
• Tutorials
• Freeimages.com
  
  
• Native American Spirituality
• 2 Spirit People of Native American Culture

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Salvador Dali

Marc Chagall, Bonjour Paris, 1939-1942

Marc Chagall (1887-1985), a Russian-Jewish artist,associated with symbolic, exuberant and poetic works. His paintings embraced the philosophy that love colored his paintings. Focusing extensively on his childhood, his happy, optimistic paintings defy the poverty of his upbringing in a Russian Shtetl. After a brief time in Paris, Chagall escaped to the US during World War II where his career reached new heights including a rare exhibit during his lifetime at the Louvre.

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A great example of what we are trying to achieve. Click on the photo to view the tutorial.

Owen Magnuson