The last project piece I'm submitting... This was one of the first project's I did in Computer Graphics. We had to take a portrait of ourselves, and use letters to make up the picture and show value. We also did the same for line and shape, but I'm not submitting those. I chose to use only the letter C, the first letter in my name. Done in Adobe Illustrator.
I'd never expect ASCII to beautify a picture, but it actually does that here (although I guess it doesn't quite qualify as ASCII). Probably because the contrast is enhanced by the lack of shades (if you get my point). Your lips become very defined, most of all.
I like this.