Drawing 1 Portrait Unit Plan
Drawing 1 Portrait Unit Plan
Drawing 1 Portrait Unit Plan
Critical and Creative Thinking: Students combine and apply artistic and reasoning skills to
imagine, create, realize, and refine artworks in conventional and innovative ways.
B. Draw on a variety of sources to generate, select and evaluate ideas to create personally
meaningful products.
C. Address and communicate complex visual and conceptual ideas using a range of technical
skill and art media including new technologies.
E. Apply reasoning skills to communicate key ideas expressed in their artworks and the works of
others and use appropriate criteria and language to critique the works.
G. Demonstrate flexibility and reflective habits when creating visual art forms in a variety of
artistic contexts and environments.
B). Portraiture is a popular subject in art history. Self-portraiture is perhaps one of the most
reflective practices an artist can undertake. Engaging in the making of a self-portrait forces an
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artist to observe, reflect, and extrapolate. Studies have also shown that self-portrait exploration
can positively impact self-stigma and contribute to further self-discovery (Hinz 2009). Giving
students an opportunity to create their own self-portraits will undoubtably open up avenues for
self-reflection and expression (both of which are invaluable exercises for young adults to
practice). Self-expression, in particular, allows us to highlight our experiences, feelings, and
beliefs – all the while, fostering empathy from those around us. There is also the realm of art
historical knowledge to consider. Being that portraiture is a major player in the canon of art
history, it is only appropriate that we take a dive into the basics of this artmaking practice and
see what it’s all about.
Central Focus (creating, presenting, interpreting, responding, and/or relating art to context)
The central focus for this unit revolves around self-reflection and expression. In order to explore
these practices, we will attempt to create self-portraiture through drawing. In this unit, we will
start with creating value scales and practicing gridding. After we get these work processes in
our toolbox, we will set out to create our very own self-portraits (with a self-expressive spin). In
this project, we will not only try our hand at drawing facial features, but we will also aim to
capture our essence / personality. In doing this, students will have an avenue to explore,
express, and reflect.
Lesson Two
Title The Most “You” Self-Portrait Ever…
Lesson Description In this lesson, students will be tasked with creating a self-portrait. This
self-portrait won’t just be concerned with physical likeness – students will
need to portray their personalities and emotional dispositions. Students
will have an opportunity to utilize reference images to inform their portraits.
They will also use the skills they developed in the prior lesson in order to
create these portraits.
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LESSON PLAN
LESSON NUMBER 1
Lesson Title Value Bootcamp
Length of Class Period 49 min
Approximate Number of Students in Each class 20
Grade Level or Couse title Drawing 1 (9th – 12th Grade)
Beginning Date for this Lesson N/a
Ending Date for this Lesson N/a
2PE Identify and describe the sources artists use for visual reference and to
generate ideas for artworks.
3RE Use appropriate vocabulary to define and describe techniques and materials used to
create works of art.
Through informal discussions, students will use appropriate vocabulary to describe the
techniques and materials used in creating their value scales and gridded images.
I will assess basic technical skill and craftsmanship using a (✔+,✔,✔-, -) scale. These marks
will be distributed directly on their completed bootcamp worksheets.
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• (Check-Plus) ✔+ Student completed the exercise with few to no mistakes. The values
are clean, intentional, and accurate.
• (Check) ✔ Student completed the exercise with a couple mistakes. The values are
mostly clean, intentional, and somewhat correctly placed throughout.
• (Check Minus) ✔- Student completed the exercise with many mistakes. The values are
inaccurate & messy.
• (Minus) - Student didn’t complete the exercise. Little to no effort was put forth.
Academic Language
Vocabulary (define each)
Value: How light or dark a color is.
Contour Line: Outlining the key parts of the artworks subject (without shading).
Gridding: The act of placing a grid over an image in order to cut it into smaller, more
manageable, pieces
Value Scale: A set of differently valued squares organized from light to dark.
Self Portrait: A portrait of an artist made by that artist.
Gradient: An area where one color fades into another.
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Chiamonwu Joy (Artist) – https://chiamonwu.com/
Michael Ryan (Artist) – https://mryan.nl/
List of Contemporary Drawing Artists – http://portfolio.newschool.edu/pirina/2016/09/12/10-
contemporary-artists-drawings/
Drawing Facial Features Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qskU9ZJzC04
Historical ‘Masters’ of Drawing – https://mymodernmet.com/best-drawings/
Preparations
Materials/Resources for Teacher
• Overhead projector
• Computer (with access to internet)
• “Drawing 1 Portraiture” PowerPoint
• 1 Set of drawing pencils (8B to 6H)
• 1 Eraser
• 1 Kneaded eraser
• 1 “Value Scale” Worksheet
• 1 “Gridding Practice” Worksheet
Safety Procedures
We won’t be using particularly dangerous materials, but I will remind them how to safely use
pencils & erasers with regard to horseplay. I will also take a moment to remind the how to be
respectful of one another’s work processes (paying attention to volume level, supportive
dialogue, etc.).
LEARNING ACTIVITY
Getting the Classroom Environment Ready
The classroom will be arranged in the way it is traditionally setup. I may have all of the chairs
angled toward the projector so each student can view the PowerPoint. I will make sure the
projector and demo space are ready and pulled up before the students arrive. I will also make
sure the drawing materials are ready to pass out after the demo.
Procedures for the Teaching/Learning Structure (indicate approximate time for each step)
1 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (starting the Drawing Portraiture Unit).
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1 15 min 1st Worksheet Intro: Utilizing the “Drawing 1 Portraiture”
PowerPoint, We will look at the lessons vocab and explore the
essential question: “What can be a self-portrait?” This question will
work as a nice way to get our brains going before we jump into the
lesson.
1 20 min Worksheet Start: Students will take time to start working on their
“Value Scale” Worksheets. They will attempt to fill in the value
scales to the best of their ability. There will be a section with a line
of 10 squares. Using various drawing pencils, students will need to
fill in the squares from lightest to darkest. There will be a second
section with one long rectangle. Using all of the values from the
prior value scale, they will need to create a smooth gradient from
white to black.
Additional Note: On this first day students will only have enough
time to start and potentially finish the first value scale.
1 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Storing their worksheets in their proper spots.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and kneaded erasers back where
they found them.
2 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
2 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (continuing to work on / finish the “Value Scale” worksheets
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from last class).
I will also take a moment to give advice for starting the gradient
value scale (what pencils to use, pencil orientation, etc.).
2 22 min Worksheet Finish: Students will take time to finish working on their
“Value Scale” Worksheets. They will attempt to fill in the value
scales to the best of their ability. During this work time, I will be
walking around assisting and checking in on anyone who needs it
(mostly in the form of one-on-one instruction).
If they finish early: I will pass out the next worksheet for them start.
I will call finished students to the back table to go over the basics of
the “Gridding Practice” worksheet that away they can effectively
start this sheet.
2 9 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Storing their worksheets in their proper spots.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and kneaded erasers back where
they found them.
3 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
3 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (starting the “Gridding Practice” worksheet).
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effectively utilize their grids.
3 20 min Worksheet Start: Students will take time to start working on their
“Gridding Practice” Worksheets. They will attempt to replicate a
black and white image using a grid. They will first start by
replicating the lines they see in the image. They will then move
onto filling in their image with various values.
3 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Storing their worksheets in their proper spots.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and kneaded erasers back where
they found them.
4 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
4 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (continuing to work on / finish the “Gridding Practice”
worksheets from last class).
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4 27 min Worksheet Finish: Students will take time to finish working on their
“Gridding Practice” Worksheets. They will attempt to fill in their
images completely with various values. During this work time, I will
be walking around assisting and checking in on anyone who needs
it (mostly in the form of one-on-one instruction).
4 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Turning both worksheets into the middle desk.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and kneaded erasers back where
they found them.
Supplemental Activity
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If students finish early, I will have them write a short paragraph on a scrap sheet of paper. In this
paragraph they will take time to quickly describe their personality traits. This will help them with
the next lesson where they attempt to portray their personalities / dispositions through their self-
portraits.
All resources, slide shows, teacher samples, and assessments related to this lesson can
be found in the unit PowerPoint.
LESSON PLAN
LESSON NUMBER 2
Lesson Title The Most “You” Self-Portrait Ever…
Length of Class Period 49 min
Approximate Number of Students in Each class 20
Grade Level or Course Title Drawing 1 (9th – 12th Grade)
Beginning Date for this Lesson N/a
Ending Date for this Lesson N/a
2PE Identify and describe the sources artists use for visual reference and to
generate ideas for artworks.
4PE Identify the factors that influence the work of individual artists.
3PR Explore multiple solutions to visual art problems through preparatory work.
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3RE Use appropriate vocabulary to define and describe techniques and materials used to
create works of art.
Through a class critique, students will use appropriate vocabulary to describe the techniques
and materials used in creating their self-portraits.
Students will use a plan sheet to explore multiple approaches to making their self-portraits.
Students will be observed throughout the entirety of the lesson to assess their understanding
and technical skill.
Student will also take part in a final class critique, where they will utilize the lesson vocab to
describe their work processes.
Academic Language
Vocabulary
Personality: The traits that make up an individual.
Value: How light or dark a color is.
Contour Line: Outlining the key parts of the artworks subject (without shading).
Gridding: The act of placing a grid over an image in order to cut it into smaller, more
manageable, pieces.
Self Portrait: A portrait of an artist made by that artist.
Gradient: An area where one color fades into another.
Contrast: Juxtaposing parts of an artwork to make each part pop.
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Assessment:
• Oral and/or written assessment options to check for understanding.
Pacing:
• Provide extra time if needed.
• Allow for more relaxed schedule with chances for breaks.
Preparations
Materials/Resources for Teacher
• Overhead projector
• Computer (with access to internet)
• “Drawing 1 Portraiture” PowerPoint
• 1 Set of drawing pencils (8B to 6H)
• 1 Eraser
• 1 Kneaded eraser
• 1 Yardstick
• 1 Large sheet of drawing paper (12” x 18”)
• 1 Small sheet of paper (8.5” x 11”)
• 1 Dslr camera
Safety Procedures
We won’t be using particularly dangerous materials, but I will remind them how to safely use
pencils & erasers with regard to horseplay. I will also take a moment to remind the how to be
respectful of one another’s work processes (paying attention to volume level, supportive
dialogue, etc.).
LEARNING ACTIVITY
Getting the Classroom Environment Ready
The classroom will be arranged in the way it is traditionally setup. I may have all of the chairs
angled toward the projector so each student can view the PowerPoint. I will make sure the
projector and demo space are ready and pulled up before the students arrive. I will also make
sure the drawing materials are ready to pass out after the demo.
Procedures for the Teaching/Learning Structure (indicate approximate time for each step)
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1 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
1 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (starting our self-portrait lesson).
1 5 min Planning Period” demo: I will show the students how to properly
utilize the plan period in order prepare for our first day of making.
Things to pay attention to:
• Taking time to write down the things that make you unique
(personality, style, etc.)
• Looking up artist inspiration
• Thumb nail sketches and/or short descriptions
1 20 min Plan period: Students will take time to start to plan out the
composition of their self-portraits. They will need to figure out how
to best depict their likeness and personality. While they are doing
this, I will be calling students to the back of the classroom to get
reference photos for their self-portraits.
After taking these photos, I will take time to walk around to check in
on anyone who needs it (mostly in the form of one-on-one
instruction).
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1 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Turning in their plan sheets to the middle table.
• Placing pencils & erasers back where they found them.
HW My Homework: I will edit the photos (make them black and white)
and print them off on 8.5” x 11” copy paper. The school has a
photo printer so I will quickly be able to print these off after class
(and print off more photos if students were absent the prior day).
2 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
2 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (starting to make our self-portraits). I will remind students of
the lesson goal: To create an expressive piece of art that
showcases our individual personality as well as our likeness.
2 5 min Material Distribution: Students will select their materials for the
work period. While they are doing this, I will be passing out the
reference photos and plan sheets from last class. Students will get:
2 24 min Student work time: Students will take time to start their self-
portraits. I will have my expectations and teacher example
displayed on the projector. During this work time, I will be walking
around assisting and checking in on anyone who needs it (mostly
in the form of one-on-one instruction).
Note: Students will probably only get through drawing their grids
and starting to put down contour lines.
2 7 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
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before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Storing their in-progress portraits and plan sheets in their
proper spots.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and yardsticks back where they
found them.
3 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
3 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (continuing to work on our self-portraits). I will remind
students of the lesson goal & timetable.
3 5 min “Self-Portrait” Demo (PART 2): I will give students tips and tricks
for completing the contour line step of their self-portraits in order to
move on to shading.
Things to pay attention to:
• Light mark making (for easy erasing later on)
• Making sure lines are unbroken from square to square
(Internal Logic)
• When they start adding their values: Start with a middle
grey and focus just on that tone throughout the image
3 5 min Material Distribution: Students will select their materials for the
work period. Students will get:
3 30 min Student work time: Students will take time to continue working on
their self-portraits. I will have my expectations and teacher
example displayed on the projector. During this work time, I will be
walking around assisting and checking in on anyone who needs it
(mostly in the form of one-on-one instruction).
Note: Students will probably get through drawing their contour lines
and maybe start to shade their images.
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3 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Storing their in-progress portraits and plan sheets in their
proper spots.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and kneaded erasers back where
they found them.
4 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
4 2 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (continuing to work on our self-portraits). I will remind
students of the lesson goal & timetable.
4 5 min “Self-Portrait” Demo (PART 3): I will give students tips and tricks
for shading their self-portraits
Things to pay attention to:
• Referencing our prior lessons’ worksheets
• Touching every part of the page with the pencil
• Pushing contrast (making the darks portions darker and the
light portions lighter)
• Using our erasers as mark making tools
• Large areas of unchanging value will destroy the illusion of
depth
4 5 min Material Distribution: Students will select their materials for the
work period. Students will get:
4 30 min Student work time: Students will take time to continue working on
their self-portraits. I will have my expectations and teacher
example displayed on the projector. During this work time, I will be
walking around assisting and checking in on anyone who needs it
(mostly in the form of one-on-one instruction).
Note: This last shading portion of the lesson will take the
longest...plan for 2 - 3 class periods.
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4 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Storing their in-progress portraits and plan sheets in their
proper spots.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and kneaded erasers back where
they found them.
5 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
5 5 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (maybe finishing our self-portraits). I will remind students of
the lesson goal & timetable. I will also use this time to address the
class in order to highlight the overall class successes and address
any trouble spots. (“I think we are having trouble with X… To avoid
this, I think we should try Y”).
5 5 min Material Distribution: Students will select their materials for the
work period. Students will get:
5 32 min Student work time: Students will take time to continue working on
their self-portraits. I will have my expectations and teacher
example displayed on the projector. During this work time, I will be
walking around assisting and checking in on anyone who needs it
(mostly in the form of one-on-one instruction).
5 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Storing their in-progress portraits and plan sheets in their
proper spots.
• Placing pencils, erasers, and kneaded erasers back where
they found them.
6 3 min Students will file into the classroom, find their seats, and get settled
in (while I take attendance).
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6 5 min Get students’ attention and tell them what we are going to be doing
today (Doing a full class critique). During this portion of class, I will
remind students of my expectations for the critique and what I am
looking for.
6 30 min Critique time: I’ll lead the critique by asking various questions
throughout (E.g. “Whose self-portrait was super successful in
showcasing some sort of personality?”) We will take a couple
minutes to discuss each students work, and where they have room
to potentially improve. Students will be responsible for contributing
at least once during the critique time.
6 4 min Wrap up: Students will then make sure their spaces are clean
before they leave the classroom.
This means:
• Turning their completed works into the middle table
Supplemental Activity
If students finish early, they will have a chance to prepare for the critique. This means that they
can write down bullet points on notecards to explain their work processes (that way they can
reference this info during the critique if they want). If they finish this, they can start pivoting their
focus to the next unit by sketching plant life from a reference photo. This will give them an
opportunity to start thinking about how they would approach the depiction of greenery.
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Teacher reflection focused on the lesson after it has been taught
N/a
All resources, slide shows, teacher samples, and assessments related to this lesson can
be found in the unit PowerPoint.
Works Cited
Cole, M. (2021, October 2). 10 artists who were masters of drawing, from Leonardo da Vinci to
Pablo Picasso. https://mymodernmet.com/best-drawings/
Hinz, L. (2009). (PDF) expressive therapies continuum: Use and value ...
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287390907_Expressive_Therapies_Continuum_
Use_and_Value_Demonstrated_With_Case_Study_Le_continuum_des_therapies_par_l'ex
pression_etude_de_cas_demontrant_leur_utilite_et_valeur
Mahdal, S. (2019, June 26). Get great at drawing face parts (eye, nose and ... - youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qskU9ZJzC04
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education/#:~:text=Existentialists%20believe%20that%20every%20individual,potentialitie
s%20and%20cultivate%20his%20individualities.
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