Crafting a layer mask out of the light and dark tones of a photographic portrait and using it to reveal and conceal parts of a text-filled layer produces an interesting effect that's easy to create. Typically produced in an image-editing application such as Adobe Photoshop, these portraits hide or show the text layer based on the darkness or lightness of the tones in a grayscale version of the original image. The artist may fill the text layer with content that comments on the identity of the subject or use nonsense text for a neutral impression.
In this analog version of text-based portraiture, the artist uses a manual typewriter as her paintbrush, typing patterns of letters, numbers and punctuation to form the shape and fills of a portrait or other subject matter. The technique requires time, dedication and artistic ability, because the typewriter simply provides a tool for expressing the talent and vision of the portraitist. If you're looking for alternative ways to express your drawing talents, typewriter art provides an interesting twist on conventional paints, pastels and pencils.
This stylized artwork arranges digitally created text characters to form shapes, including human forms and faces. Unlike in typewriter art, which uses an unchanging type size predetermined by the machine itself, the text elements in this form of stylized portraiture vary in size, style and typeface. The technique produces an effect that offers greater realism when viewed at a distance than when seen close up, because distance reveals the artwork rather than the text that comprises it.
In this digital technique, the artist uses a vector drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator to set text following the contours of a human face. The artist creates the shapes of the subject's features by drawing paths and setting type along them. Unlike text illustration, in which the artist sets and manipulates individual characters into a text montage, this technique uses strings of text, either words and sentences or nonsense.