S
1+ hour
Art and Design
Let’s Face It! For this activity we will be using 4 fun techniques to try and improve your portrait drawing skills. Sit across the table from somebody else or use a photograph or a mirror to draw a self-portrait. If you are doing this with another person, take it in turns to try these activities.
Activity 1. The first picture is a continuous line drawing. For 1 minute, draw without taking your pen from the paper. Look at the face you are drawing more than the paper and think about what shapes you can see in the face - an eye isn’t symmetrical and often is more of a mango shape. Activity 2. With a new sheet of paper, cut out the shapes you can see in the person’s face and lay them out to try and make a likeness using only the bits of paper you’ve cut out. Don’t worry about the shapes all being to scale, or there being a likeness. This activity is all about splitting up an image into shapes. Activity 3. For 1 minute, simply draw the face without looking at your drawing at all! Really focus on the way your hand is moving across the page and the sorts of marks you are making. Activity 4. The final task is a fun one, but might feel frustrating! Have a go at drawing the portrait without using your hands at all. Hold the pen between your forearms, or in your mouth, or between your elbows. This may seem strange, and the final image might be weird and not great, but it will really force you to consider each and every movement. Spend as long as you need on this, but think about every movement you’re making. You also may need to lightly tape the paper to the desk so it doesn’t move when you are drawing. Finally, have a go at drawing a normal straightforward portrait. Not only will it feel much easier than the weird portrait activities you’ve just done, but you should be able to achieve a greater likeness than you did before by considering the shapes and your mark making.
What you need/ materials to find: 5x pieces of paper, a pen or pencil, scissors
Challenge Activity Pack
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