Sargent Art
Symmetry: A Design Problem
As part of a study of design, young artists examine an example of a formal (symmetrical) design and then, following step-by-step directions, create their own.
Arts Ed Washington
Art Lessons in the Classroom: Our Family
Blend art and family into one instructional activity with an activity involving oil pastels and watercolors. After viewing a few famous portraits of families, learners create masterpieces that represent their own families.
CK-12 Foundation
Angle Classification: Crazy Quilt
There's more to a quilt than just a pretty pattern—there's geometry! Explore angle classification using an artistic approach to show your class that quilt designs are really just intricate geometric patterns. Here, scholars create a...
Curated OER
Face It!
Students explore the proportions of the human face and utilize a graph to draw a self portrait based upon the techniques and styles of a variety of artists.
Curated OER
Art Techniques
Third graders create a self portrait using correct proportions and details. After completing their portrait, they exchange their portrait with that of a classmate and offer constructive criticism of the portrait and suggestions for...
Curated OER
Commission Statement
Students write a formal letter to an artist using art vocabulary they have reviewed in class. They commission a portrait from the artist. They share their letters with the class.
Curated OER
Carmen Lomas Garza
Students are introduced to the life and works of Carmen Lomas Garza. In groups, they research the causes and effects of the Chicano movement and view examples of her self-portraits. They identify other artists who were well known for...
Curated OER
Objects as Self
Students examine how objects and setting help complete a self-portrait. They analyze Franklin's self-portraits before creating their own. They try to create the self-portrait as if they were in Franklin's time.
Curated OER
Mirror, Mirror
Students examine portraits done by Robert Harris and discuss the technique he used to create them. With a partner, they paint a picture of each other using the techniques of Harris. They also make a drawing of themselves from a recent...
Curated OER
Brian Murphy ¿¿¿ Sleeping Self-Portrait¿¿¿
Students examine and discuss the painting, "Sleeping Self-Portrait," by Brian Murphy. They answer discussion questions, mix various paint colors, and create a self-portrait using the primary colors and white.
Curated OER
Vincent Van Gogh
Students examine the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh. They complete a class KWL chart, and watch a PowerPoint presentation about the life of Vincent Van Gogh. Next, they use a digital photo of themselves to create a self-portrait...
Curated OER
Let's Paint!
Learners read Jonah Winter's book, Frida, and Thomas Locker's, Miranda's Smile, and talk about the artists' styles. They practice their own painting styles.
Curated OER
Politics and Portraiture
Young scholars examine the art of artists who use portrait drawing to make a political statement. In this art analysis lesson, students discuss the elements of a portrait and view the portraits as political expressions. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Sculptural Heads
Students create sculptures of a human head with Sculptamold. They comprehend and apprecitate portraits and sculptures of the human face as art forms and the opportunity to incorporate human feelings and emotions in their own art....
Curated OER
60's Pop Art: Multiples of Me
Students discover characteristics of Pop Art through slides and discussion of the 60's era and produce a pop art portrait of themselves using Clarisworks paint program and Hyperstudio.
Smithsonian Institution
Looking at a National Treasure: George Washington
Students explain the definition of a portrait. They identify the visual clues that Gilbert Stuart included in his portrait of George Washington. They compare the reproduction to other images of Washington. They discuss the importance of...
Curated OER
Learn Under the Old Masters
Students take a closer look at portraits. In this art appreciation instructional activity, students may visit the National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria Art Gallery, or the Scottish National Portrait Gallery online or in-person to...
Curated OER
Modern Day Mona Lisa
Learners create a portrait of a woman from our current era. They discuss what they would include in a portrait for our era in the U.S., list current trends and styles, and create a modern-day "Mona Lisa" portrait.
Curated OER
Reading Images: Maconaquah
Students examine a portrait of Maconaquah and compose a list of things they observe about her. They look at her age, clothing, jewelry, and her emotions based on her facial expression. Conclusions are drawn as they "read" the pictures...
Curated OER
Leonardo the Genius
In this artists history worksheet, students read an excerpt about Leonardo Da Vinci. They suggest what natural abilities, attitudes, and personal characteristics he would have needed to do all the famous works that he painted. Students...
Curated OER
The Robot Artist--Aaron
This is a creative multidisciplinary lesson which will involve students in art, technology, and psychology. Students learn about Harold Cohen who created a robot programmed to create art. Students will also enjoy the sand pendulum...
Curated OER
Soft Sculpture Self-portraits
Students create a soft sculpture bust of themselves using such as muslin. They color, stuff and sew the bust.
Curated OER
Baked Polymer Clay 3D People Portraits
Learners discuss methods of building forms with clay (ball and variations, snake, flat sheets). They draw a stick figure of what their sculpture may look like, including correct figure proportion.
Curated OER
Portrait of the Artist - Georgia O'Keeffe
Students study the work of Georgia O'Keefe. They use a digital camera or scanned images from a regular camera and the PhotoShop application to create a landscape of their own which reflects the important shapes or objects in their...