The Soul Through the Pencil : Self-Portraits by the Students

They looked at themselves in a mirror. Truly looked. Not to fix a strand of hair or chase away a shadow under their eyes, but to capture the essence: through a set exercise, the second-year 3D animation students engaged in the game of visual introspection.

Working on toned drawing paper with black stone and white pencil, the students had to take on several technical challenges : rendering volumes realistically, playing with contrasts to bring out the light, and composing an image that was both accurate and expressive. Simple tools, yet delicate challenges.

Beyond merely reproducing their features, they were encouraged to consider the staging of their own image. Some chose a frontal, minimalist pose—almost photographic—while others explored bold angles, tight framing, or pronounced expressions, revealing a more introspective or theatrical side of their personality.

Between meticulous realism and symbolic play, each self-portrait tells a story: that of a gaze turned inward, an attempt to depict oneself both as one is and as one perceives oneself. Each student staged much more than a mere reflection. Realism blends here with interpretation. Black sculpts the silences, white illuminates the thoughts. There is theatre in these portraits, but also a deep sense of modesty. The use of toned paper, combined with the duality of black and white, enhances the contrasts and gives the portraits a unique, almost sculptural depth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Une publication partagée par École MoPA (@ecole_mopa)

 

Some of the self-portraits were exhibited within the school, offering a moment of pause and contemplation, where the students’ faces become windows into their inner worlds. In the hallways, the displayed works seem to watch us in return. As if, by drawing their own image, the students were inviting us to do the same: to reflect on what we reveal and who we truly are.

 

A self-portrait is not just a face. It’s a nuanced enigma. Through this exercise, the students revealed themselves with both delicacy and talent — congratulations to them !

Preview self-portrait by​ : Clara ROUSSEAU

Banner self-portrait by : Pauline GARNY