The next step of the project was to use the grid method on a photograph to create a map for drawing their facial features and outlines. This method helps students stop drawing symbols of lips, eyes, hair, etc. like in the examples above, and actually draw their correctly proportioned and uniquely shaped features. They added value (shading) with various graphite pencils to make their portraits appear three dimensional, had an art critique, and then used watercolor pencils to create a reflection depicting a summer memory in their sunglasses... I hope these artists are proud of the work- I sure am!
And a bonus, because this picture cracks me up :)
Can you explain the process of cutting out the lenses of the sunglasses? Is there a reason why you don't just have the students use the watercolor pencils right on the original drawing?
ReplyDeleteThe first time I did this project, I had them use the watercolor pencils on the drawing and it was kind of a disaster. Smears of watercolor ended up on the drawings, water splattered around, and there was no ability to "mess up" or start over/redesign the reflection part if it didn't turn out as desired the first time. By cutting out the lenses and doing the watercolor on separate paper (that gets glued on from behind), the beautiful portraits are totally protected from the water and color, and students are free to experiment until they come up with a reflection they are happy with rather than having only one shot... Hope this makes sense!
DeleteCan you take me through the grid method? I am new to teaching art, made the switch after 10 years of teaching 4th grade...my creativity and techniques are slowly coming back to me! By the way I love this blog!
ReplyDeleteI wrote a little more about it here: http://calvertcanvas.blogspot.com/2008/09/drawing-portraits-using-grid-method.html
Deletebut Google "grid method drawing" for better explanations, examples, etc.
Do you have a rubric for this assignment? I'm new to teaching art and I'd love to know how you assess this project.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, I don't! My school does not give letter grades in art, only effort grades. So I do not assess each project formally the way you might have to... I assess a students overall effort in the course at the end of the semester.
DeleteI modified the assignment a little and created a rubric...feel free to download and modify as you need! https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-8-L7VZMUdKWDg5YVdULVFrTjQ/view?usp=sharing
DeleteI love this website. Thank you so much for sharing your projects!!
I was wondering if you have a lesson plan for this project? I am student teaching right now and I love this lesson! I was curious how long this lesson would take and all the little things that went a long with it! thanks and your projects are wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteI don't have a lesson plan- sorry! Length of time would depend on how long your periods are, how much you want to push the students to fully render their shading... I essentially spend as much time on it as they need to make it great- maybe 7-10 class periods
DeleteI was wondering if you happen to have a lesson plan for this. I'm student teaching at the moment and I would love to do this lesson with my students.
ReplyDeleteHi Tiffany, i'm sorry but I don't have a lesson plan. I work at an independent school and I rarely have to write formal plans for any projects I do. If you read all of the previous comments above and my replies, you would get a sense of the steps I think.
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