Colour

Blocking
Vector
Portraits
What is a Portrait?

A portrait is an artistic representation of a person, in

which the face and its expression is predominant.

The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and

even the mood of the person

What is a Vector Portrait?

It’s a simplified illustration of someone using solid

colours and strategic shapes to depict form.

Notice in the example on the right how there are a

wide range of values: highlights, midtones, and
shadows, all working together to create a sense of
abstract representation.
Some artists
enjoy creating
portraits using
primarily
GEOMETRIC
shapes, as seen
in these
examples.
Other artists prefer to work with more
ORGANIC shapes, as seen above.
As the artist, you can
choose to stick to a more
realistic colour palette if
you like.
OR you can
have a bit more
fun with your
own colours.
Here are some samples from
previous students. Aren’t they
incredible?! These are all Level 4
samples due to successful
likeness and value application.
Avoid being overly realistic - this one above may as well
be a photo!
The image on the right has more fun with creative colour
blocking, making this portrait entirely unique! This is what
you should be aiming for in your own work
LEVEL 3: Likeness is decent, but use of multiple values is not
consistent enough.
LEVEL 2: Use of multiple values is not consistent and are
poorly placed. Likeness is struggling
LEVEL 1: The only portraits to earn
Level 1 so far have simply been
incomplete. Be sure to focus on
the face and use your class time
wisely
We are going to start
experimenting with
colour blocking by
practicing on some
simple 3D characters!

Work in Illustrator for

this. Focus on having
4 or more values
 Level 1
Level 4

These are different level examples in terms of showing

VALUE.