The Face of Identity
Total Class Periods to Complete: 3-4 periods
GRADE LEVEL: 5
Activator
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Begin with a discussion: “What makes a face unique?” Show examples of famous self-portraits (e.g., Frida Kahlo, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso).
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A lesson about Symbolism
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Materials
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Mirrors, drawing paper, pencils, erasers, colored pencils/markers, hand-held mirrors, and large drawing paper.
Essential Question:
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How can I use portraits to visually represent who I am?
Lesson Objectives:
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Students will learn to use mirrors to observe their own features and proportions.
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Students can work together to observe one another to complete their portraits.
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Students will create a simple self-portrait using basic drawing and art skills.
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Students will learn about the significance of symbolism in representation.
These goals align with several Georgia 5th Grade Visual Arts standards, focusing on drawing skills, observation, and collaborative work.
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VA5.CR.1 - Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by:
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VA5.CR.1a - Using observation to generate a drawing from life, such as using mirrors to observe facial features.
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VA5.CR.1b - Generating ideas from a variety of sources, including observations of one another to support portrait creation.
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VA5.CR.2 - Create works of art based on selected themes using a variety of materials and techniques.
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VA5.CR.2a - Demonstrating an understanding of spatial relationships and proportions in drawing a self-portrait from observation.
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VA5.CR.2b - Applying basic drawing techniques to create simple self-portraits.
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VA5.CR.3 - Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of two-dimensional art.
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VA5.CR.3a - Developing art skills and using tools responsibly in the process of creating self-portraits.
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Resource Artists:
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Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso
Option 1
Frida Kahlo-Inspired
Self-Portrait
Think about symbols that represent something meaningful to you (like a pet, favorite flower, or object) and draw 3 of these symbols on a piece of paper.
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To begin drawing the portrait, students must first begin
with the face.
Face Outline:
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Start with a basic oval shape for the face in the
middle of the paper.
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Lightly sketch the outline of the neck and shoulders
beneath the face.
Guidelines for Facial Features:
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Draw a light horizontal line across the middle of the oval to mark the eye line.
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Draw another line halfway between the eye line and the bottom of the oval for the nose.
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Place a final line halfway between the nose line and chin for the mouth.
.Add Eyes, Nose, and Mouth:
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Using the facial guidelines template sheet provided, sketch your eyes along the eye line.
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Sketch the nose shape—if it's a side view, you can add more detail here.
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Draw the mouth on the lowest guideline, slightly open or closed based on your choice.
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Draw Hair and Clothing:
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Add hair details, focusing on a hairstyle that feels “you” (braids, ponytail, etc.).
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Sketch a simple neckline and clothing pattern if you’d like to reflect a certain style.
Place Symbols Around the Head and Shoulders:
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Arrange your symbols (plants, animals, etc.) around your shoulders, head, or in the background. Be sure each symbol has space to be clearly visible.
Background Elements:
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Add more background details like plants, clouds, or patterns that make the portrait feel complete and expressive.​
Color the Portrait:
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Use bright, bold colors for the face and clothing. Start by coloring the skin tone, then add contrasting colors for clothing and symbols.
Final Details and Outlines:
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Go over any important lines with a darker color or fine marker to make features stand out.
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Fill the background with colors or shading, making sure it complements the main portrait.
Option 2
Picasso-Inspired Cubist Self-Portrait
Divide the Paper:
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Fold the paper lightly down the middle to create a left and right side.
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Draw a Front and Side View:
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On one side of the fold, sketch the face from a side view with a single line for the profile (forehead, nose, lips, chin).
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On the other side, sketch the face from the front view with two eyes, nose, and mouth centered.
Add Cubist Shapes for Eyes, Nose, and Mouth:
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Draw each eye as a unique shape (one as a circle, the other as a triangle).
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Make the nose a combination of shapes (e.g., a rectangle with a circle).
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Draw the mouth as two different shapes, divided by the center line if desired.
Add Facial Details and Hair:
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Use shapes like zigzags or curved lines to represent hair in an abstract way, focusing on simple shapes.
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Add any unique features you want to highlight, like a hat, glasses, or jewelry, using shapes instead of detailed drawings.
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Apply Color in Sections:
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Choose bold, unusual colors for each section of the face (e.g., blue for one eye area, green for the other).
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Use contrasting colors to create a vivid, fragmented look.
Add Patterns:
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Fill some sections with patterns like stripes, polka dots, or lines to create texture and interest in each face part.
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Outline and Final Details:
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Outline key shapes and patterns in black or dark colors to emphasize the cubist structure.
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Add any final background elements, such as blocks of color or more shapes, for a complete Picasso-inspired look.
Differentiation Options
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Students have the choice between two different artistic styles: the intricate, traditional, and organic style of Frida Kahlo or the simpler, modern, geometric style of Pablo Picasso.
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Students may use pre-drawn face outline handouts if they need additional support.
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Students are encouraged to help one another.
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Accommodations for SPED and 504 Plans include adapted materials, such as larger-format paper, thicker markers for better grip as well as allowing extended time for project completion.
Collaboration
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Students are encouraged to ask their parents about their heritage to learn about any symbols, significant family heirlooms, mementos, or other meaningful items that can be included in the background of their Frida Kahlo-inspired portraits.
Rubric
