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Past, Present, and Future Self Portrait
Submitted by: Kathy Fiske, Needham High School - Massachusetts
Unit: "Multiple Me" Self Portrait - Mixed Media
Lesson Plan: Multiple Me - Mixed Media Drawing - Portrait
Grade Level: High School Advanced (adaptable to other levels)
Objectives:
Encourage critical thinking - incorporate planning - use variety of materials and sources - integrate text - art with meaning - personal identity
Resources:
Drawing the Portrait
www.portrait-artist.org/face/index.html
Artistic Exploration of the Face and Human Figure (geared to middle school through high school) ThinkQuest site created by students.
Brenda Hoddinott has two free tutorials in PDF format (intermediate):
http://www.finearteducation.com/
 |
Three Sisters: Past, Present, Future, c.2006, ink on paper, the Mahaloness blog. |
Materials:
Digital Camera
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
From Kathy: Below is my Multiple Me lesson prompt. I have my AP students put together 4 studies for one homework and then work for two weeks at home on the drawings. They bring them in halfway through for a group critique based on the Four C's (also included here).
MULTIPLE ME -- A self-portrait investigation
There are many ways to view a person and many facets to every person. In this "Multiple Me" assignment, you are asked to look at yourself in relation to your life, past, present and future, and those around you. What is important to you? Who is a part of your life? What do you read, think, listen to, look at, dream about, want to do? Where are you now as a high school junior or senior today?
HOMEWORK FOR WEEK ONE-- Four Studies
Begin by assembling some words that speak about you and your interests. A journal or diary you keep, poetry, words from a song, movie dialogue, quotations from famous or infamous persons--all these are possible sources for these words. These carefully chosen words will be woven into your plan--an important and integral part of your multiple self portrait. You will have to pick and choose, being selective (no more than 7 may be included) so that your words really count. They must add information about you to the finished piece of artwork. They may be metaphorical (describing yourself by comparing you to something else) or symbolic (choosing something that stands for you to be a part of each piece).
Plan this drawing carefully, doing four studies to set up an excellent asymmetrical composition. The major focus of this investigation is observation drawing. Include multiple visual images of yourself (more than one of you in the picture). How will you do this? Digital camera images, use of strategically placed mirrors to see more than one view of yourself, relative size of the images of yourself, facial expressions, clothing/costume, etc. are all things to consider. Think outside the box! Consider the following ideas: a diptych or triptych, a series (like stories from your childhood, for example), a grid format depicting a variety of your activities, selves, etc., a book, a cube or other multifaceted 3-D shape...
Incorporate one or more words from the sources mentioned above. Be creative in the way the words are designed into your piece. Could they be woven around you? Will they be a "frame" for you? Will they be written on a book you are holding? The careful craftsmanship of your lettering will be just as important as your drawing of yourself and any background and/or props you include. What style of alphabet will you choose or invent (absolutely no "bubble lettering")? How will your words add to the total visual impact of your piece? Professional calligraphers use guidelines--you should too!
Bring your four studies to class for group discussion on Monday.
HOMEWORK FOR WEEK TWO - Beginning of finished drawing
For your finished drawing, use a full range of values and soft pencil. Your choice of size of drawing paper--12"x18" (30.5 x 45.7 cm) or larger, up to 24"x36" (61 x 91 cm) . Based on your choice of studies begin your drawing by laying in large shapes and observing carefully. Bring your drawing to class for group discussion on Monday--you will have two weeks to complete this piece so it does not have to be finished for this week. Be sure to reference the Four C’s handout we talked through in class this week.
HOMEWORK FOR WEEK THREE -- Completion of drawing
Based on class discussion, complete your "Multiple Me Drawing" and assess using Four C's assessment sheet. Be prepared for group critique on Monday.
Art 3 - AP/Portfolio
Your Name: _____________________________________________________
Assess your work based on THE FOUR C’s:
CONCEPT: Thought out initially and developed in studies idea is thought provoking/ interesting both visually and intellectually work shows obvious evidence of thinking and informed decision making some risk taking or experimentation has taken place drawing is based on observation.
COMPOSITION: Worked out in your studies informal or asymmetrical balance -- not centered interesting positive/negative space relationship (60%-40%) clear illusion of space (foreground, middle ground and background) has a focal point or center of interest (contrast, details, crisp edges, etc.) viewer’s eye is moved around the page with line, pattern of lights & darks, etc.) light source shown with visible cast shadows.
CONTRAST: Planned at the study stage full range of simplified values utilized -- no "noodling" from 12 feet away, viewer can read your drawing clearly.
CRAFTSMANSHIP: Materials are used well and evidence mastery technique is generally excellent drawing is noteworthy for its sensitivity and subtlety.
Based on the above criteria, look at your drawing and determine what you need to do in order to meet those criteria. Write your plan of action here.
NOTE: This lesson was submitted in the early days of IAD when teachers had no scanners or digital cameras to take pictures of student work. An image that best represents the lesson has been posted.
