Self Portrait with Skull

Keira Cullen

Year 9

School: Perth Modern School

Medium: Pastel on paper

Artist statement: This piece is a self portrait inspired by the Baroque era. I used a tonal effect called chiaroscuro in an exploration of dramatism. The skull and flowers incorporate elements from the natural world. The experience of creating this portrait was challenging. The medium and process were unfamiliar; however, the final piece was a great reward. The process involved many new experiences such as manipulating contrast, using pastels and finalising a piece over an extended period. However, these experiences brought learning and my comfort and enjoyment increased over the course of developing the work. Ultimately, the product not only represents the development of my skills and ideas, but signifies my growth as an artist.