The Canadian Black History Project

For our 2nd project of the year, we will focus on creating digital art by portraiture that features our chosen Black Canadians who defied and continue to challenge Anti-Black racism. By definition, Anti-Black Racism is defined as:

Anti-black racism is a form of prejudice or discrimination against black people that results in unequal treatment and opportunities for those individuals. It can manifest itself in the form of discriminatory laws, policies, practices, or attitudes that disadvantage black people based on their race.

Black History Month

Black History Month, also known as African American History Month in the United States, is an annual observance in the United States and Canada that recognizes the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout history. The event originated in the United States as Negro History Week, which was first celebrated in February 1926. The week was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two important figures in the history of African Americans. In 1976, the event was expanded to a month-long celebration and renamed Black History Month. February was chosen partly because it is the month Lincoln and Douglass were born. The event is now celebrated in both the United States and Canada. It is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to learn about African Americans’ rich history and culture.

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the end of slavery in the United States. It is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day. The holiday is named for June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved people in the state were free. This news came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all enslaved people in the Confederate states were to be freed. Juneteenth is now celebrated by African Americans across the country as a way to remember their ancestors and to celebrate the progress that has been made toward racial equality.

Does Canada Celebrate Emancipation Day?

After years of campaigning by Black legislators and community advocates, Canada on Sunday is officially marking the abolishment of slavery nearly 200 years ago in its first nationwide Emancipation Day.

Canadian parliamentarians unanimously voted in March to recognize Emancipation Day across the country on August 1, the same date in 1834, that an act came into effect banning slavery in former British colonies, including Canada. (source Al Jazeera)

What is Systemic Racism?

Systemic racism refers to how racial discrimination is built into the structures and institutions of society. This type of racism is not always overt or obvious. Still, it is deeply ingrained in how society operates and can profoundly impact the opportunities and experiences of people of colour. Systemic racism can manifest in many ways, including unequal access to education, healthcare, and housing and unequal treatment by the criminal justice system. This type of racism is often difficult to identify and challenge because it is deeply embedded in society and requires a concerted effort to address and overcome.

Navigating the System (with Parents of Black Children)

Navigating a system that is inherently racist can be challenging and difficult, especially for people of colour who are most directly affected by systemic racism. One way to navigate these systems is to educate yourself about how systemic racism operates and how it can impact your life. This may involve learning about the history of racism in your country or community and understanding how it continues to shape the opportunities and experiences of people of colour. It may also involve seeking resources and support from organizations and individuals committed to challenging and addressing systemic racism. Ultimately, navigating a racist system may require persistence, resilience, and a willingness to challenge the status quo and advocate for change.

One organization in Canada that attempts to help everyone navigate our system is The Parents of Black Children. Parents of Black Children is an advocacy group working to support families and facilitate equitable outcomes for Black children through accountability and transformational change. Click here for their guide to Navigating the Education System.

Project Objectives

The objective of choosing a notable Black Canadian as the subject of a project in Adobe Illustrator would be to celebrate and recognize the contributions and experiences of Black Canadians. By depicting a specific Black Canadian in Illustrator, students could learn more about the individual and their achievements and explore the unique artistic challenges and opportunities of creating a portrait using the software.

Additionally, choosing a Black Canadian as the subject of the project could also help to promote diversity and inclusion and encourage students to consider the perspectives and experiences of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.

Practice Task (To Be Collected by Mr. Galang)

Illustrator is a very powerful tool that differentiates itself from Photoshop (the de facto imaging software) in the way it renders graphics. For the difference between the two programs, check out this post. You must complete a practice portrait of the late Chadwick Boseman for your first task. This practice portrait must contain at least three shades of skin tone (highlights, mid-tones and shadows). Clothing renders were optional but could yield a higher mark if added to the practice portrait.

Before Starting Your Render:

Steps to Prepare Image in Photoshop

As seen from the image above, you need to make the value changes more apparent in Photoshop. You must first add a Black and White Adjustment Layer to do this. Add a Posterize Adjustment Layer after and select 4 to 6 to separate the values properly. This will make the Illustrator render more efficient and easier on your eyes.

Project Requirements:

Here are the steps that students could follow to choose a Black Canadian and render them in Adobe Illustrator:

Research: Students can begin by researching Black Canadians who have contributed significantly in various fields, such as arts, sports, politics, and activism. This can be done through online resources or by asking their teachers or local community organizations for suggestions.
Select a subject: Once students have compiled a list of potential subjects, they can select the person they want to depict in their Illustrator project. This decision should be based on factors such as the person’s achievements and relevance to the project and the student’s interest in the subject.
Gather reference materials: Students will need to gather reference materials to use as a basis for their Illustrator portrait. This can include photographs or other images of the person and information about their physical appearance, such as hair and eye colour, facial features, and clothing.
Create a sketch (optional): Before starting to work in Illustrator, students can create a rough sketch of their portrait to plan the composition and layout. This can help them visualize the final product and make necessary adjustments before moving on to the next step.
Begin working in Illustrator: Students can open Adobe Illustrator and create their portrait once the sketch is complete. This can be done by tracing the sketch, using the reference materials to add details, and experimenting with different tools and techniques to achieve the desired effect.
Refine and finalize the portrait: As they work on their Illustrator portrait, students should regularly review and adjust their design to ensure that it accurately represents the subject and meets the project requirements. Once satisfied with the final product, they can save and submit their work.

Other project requirements:

The colour scheme must include AT LEAST 4 shades on the skin tone, hair highlights and at least two colours on the clothing. There should be colour on the type and background as well. Portraits can be from the upper chest up.
You can have words (or a few words) that are associated with your chosen subject. Think of your chosen Black Canadian’s quote and perhaps use it as a backdrop for the composition.
The project document size is 1650px X 2100px (in portrait mode only). Please ensure that the image (or sketch) you plan to trace is large enough (min. 1000px).
Think of an interesting background as well beyond the text. Perhaps an environment (like a cityscape, nature, etc.)
Due date is TBA.