Molly Percy created a self-portrait triptych for her college that was influenced by several artists. She was initially inspired by Michael Craig Martin's computer-generated color portraits. Her triptych experiments with color combinations and incorporates influences from Francis Bacon's triptych format and David Choe's bright colors. Her final self-portrait captures different emotions through contrasting colors and compositions that she feels represent her personality. Through this project, Molly learned about combining colors and the benefits of working with canvas.

1. Molly Percy
Self Portrait
Esher College
2016

2. Initial Sources
…

3. Initial sources
My main initial source was Michael Craig Martin. While I was at the national portrait
gallery Martins work of Dame Zaha Hadid really stood out to me it wasn’t the typical self
portrait painting it was different and that’s why it stood out to me. Their was no paint
involved, this piece was controlled by computer software that makes constant
randomized color choices. The work slowly changes over time in infinite combinations.
The effect of this was really interesting to me, instead of getting one portrait I felt as if I
got a new one every time as all the color combinations would change the piece
completely changed from being calm to angry all with the use of color. I was
mesmerized and wanted to delve deeper into Michael Craig martin. Martin is a British
conceptual artist who was a significant influence on a younger generation of artists
including Julian Opie, Gary hume and Damien hirst. This piece marks a new departure
into the realm of portraiture as martin subjects usually include everyday objects and the
relationship with the spaces they inhabit. The subject being dame zaha hadid is very
powerful as hadids projects build on over thirty years of experimentation with cutting
edge technologies, and so it seems appropriate that her own likeness should be realized
in the form of a computer portrait. I left the national gallery feeling skeptical to how I
would combine this piece and develop it into a portrait of me, I couldn't’t stop thinking of
all the colors and how the mixtures and combinations had so much power and effect on
the piece
Michael Craig Martin

4. Initial Sources
Even though my final piece didn't’t look like a Francis bacon piece he still played a big role in my
development. Bacon used triptychs all throughout his life as presenting his work and I feel the way he
used three canvases for one piece really tells a story, I'm attracted to things in threes, they aesthetically
look good to me and are balanced in my mind. I had trouble trying to mimic Michael Craig martins
multicolor computer effect and by doing three canvases in all different colors I feel you are still getting
the same effect of the different colors each connoting a different mood and effect over the image.
Francis Bacon

5. Initial Sources
The colors of David choes work
really influenced my work, the
color pallets he uses are so
bright and contrasting and
looking at his work really opened
my eyes into new colors and
combinations and allowed me to
be more expressive with my
choice of color as well and not
just picking “safe” colors instead
going for more daring
combinations.
David Choe

6. Experiments and
Decisions

7. Experiments
Experiemnt 1
For my first experiment
I wanted to play around
with the different
compositions of my
face and angles, I really
wanted to keep that
initial Michael craig
martin style with the
harsh balck out line and
the bright colours, this
was my favorite
experiment.
Experiment 2
For this experiment I wanted to try using more
than one compositon, I combined all my
compositions and put them into one piece.
When I came up with this idea I thought it
would be better than it came out as, there is just
too much going on in this piece and it just
didn’t work. All the colours are just too much to
take in, doing this piece mad eme learn less is
more.
Experiment 3
For this experiment I went for the
less is more approach but trying a
new compositional angle. I don’t
think I like this angle as much as my
first experiment as you cant see my
face as good and it just doesn’t feel
like me.

8. Experiment 4
For my last experiment I wanted to delve
deeper into my first experiment and develop the
colours a lot more and try out different
combinations. I really like this colour
combination and the look of the pink skin with
the green hair really contrasts and makes the
whole piece really pop. At this point in the
project I was really set on having this as my
final piece, I feel it really captures my
personality, I really like the alternative angle as
well, its eye level with the viewer so I feel like
it’s a closer insight into me. I really like this
colour pallet and it mimics whaty my final pieces
look like.

9. Final Outcome
…

10. From this project I learnt how hard it is to do a self
portrait, everyone sees themselves differently and
sometimes you see yourself in ways no one else
does, its hard to capture yourself but I feel in this
triptych I have really captured myself. The way the
composition is quite relaxed and how the canvas
has a lot of extra apace on the left gives the portrait
room and a sense of power and independence. The
colors are so bright and beautiful and I feel like I am
a colorful person. The mixture and combinations of
colors really helped to show different emotions, the
contrasting and complimenting of certain colors
created quite an interesting piece to look at. I
wanted to capture Michael Craig martins harsh
black outline effect, Francis bacons triptych format
and David choes colors into one. It was a hard task
but I feel I have pulled it off and it has opened my
eyes into new ways of combining and mixing colors
and being more free in the way I paint. Doing this
project has also reminded me how working on
canvases is so much better than paper and I should
really carry on using canvas into the future.

14. Reflecting on year
1
…

15. One of the most valuable learning
experiences I have gained while
doing the course is being able to
screen-print, I found the whole
process so interesting and It was
something I had never done before
and I find new things really
interesting. I liked how quickly I was
able to create pieces within a few
minutes I had another piece. The
way I could switch colors so easily
was also a plus. Making the
wallpaper was one of the highlights
of the year and I really applied and
pushed myself during that project.
Screen Printing

16. Life Drawing
Another highlight of my year had
to be life drawing, I was amazed
by how interesting it was and it
really helped me understand the
human anatomy a lot more and
the specific angles and shapes
the body makes. Over the
course we did loads of different
experiments and I really enjoyed
the whole thing. I would defiantly
want to try life drawing again as I
feel it’s an experience that you
learn so much from

17. Improvements into the second year
Time management is my biggest fall
down. I always find myself never fully
completing the work and being in such a
stress in the last couple of weeks, I end
up going crazy. I need to plan my time
more wisely and use my study periods
more to catch up on work missed or not
completed because that’s how it all
stacks up.

18. Plans for future
…

19. My current progression aim is to go to
Ravensbourne and study digital
photography. I'm not exactly perusing
art any further but my art has definitely
helped and influenced my photogtphy in
the way I look at things and consider
composition and the way I look at colors
and combine them with other colors. To
get into the digital photography course I
have to have 2 A-levels grade C or
above. It’s a 3 year course and I feel I
can achieve this but its my actual
photography work itself that will
determine whether I get in or not. It’s
the only university I shall be applying to
as I feel it’s the one best suited to me