About Me self Portrait

For their first creative challenge of the school year 1st grade explored developing self portraits. To begin we talked about the elements of a portrait. Then we discussed  our talking point questions: What makes you unique? When you wear your face mask what facial features do people see? Can you make a face using simple lines & shapes? What are things or topics you are interested in that make you who you are? Could you draw these things in your background to make your portrait exciting?Do you know what observational drawing is? What is an artistic statement? Can artists have different artistic styles? Following our group discussion students followed multi step directions as Ms. Rizzo guided the class on how to draw a portrait using the traditional shapes of the facial features. Then students designed their framed border around their portrait capturing sketches of things that they enjoy, are favorites, or describe their personality. Once students completed their line drawing they began bringing their creations to life using the medium of colored pencils. 

Skills Developing:

• Students will be introduced to the art form of portraits
• Using creative imagination to illustrate what makes them uniquely who they are. 
• Exploring line and mark making to develop a self portrait.
• Strengthening fine motor skills using artistic drawing tools.
• Strengthen the ability to verbally express creative thoughts and idea processes.
• Using expressive line mark makinging.
• Visually express themselves as individuals.
• Using visual illustrations to express to the viewer information about the artist (artistic statement)
• Strengthen observational drawing skills