How To:

Level 4

• Students were introduced to the artistic concept of portraiture, before analysing the features of a face using photos and artistic works.

• Strategies for mapping out the features of a face were then modelled to students, emphasising the importance of size and placement.

• On scrap paper, students then used vertical and horizontal lines to map out the dimensions and features of a face, following the teacher’s example and step by step instructions. Students were shown how to use simple shapes to construct the eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth and ears.

• Students were then paired up to create a portrait of each other.

• After mapping out the basic placement of their subject’s face using grey lead, students used oil pastels to complete their portrait.

• Students sat opposite their partner and were taught the importance of regularly looking at their partner, to maintain an element of realism to the subject.  

• Students were shown how black pastel could be used to increase the definition and detail of all facial features.

• Upon completion, students used water colour pencils to first of all shade in their background, before brushing over it with a wet paint brush.

Georgina Kirwan

Bayswater North Primary School

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