Lesson #5
Studio Activity:
Drawing a Self-Portrait from a Photograph
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Objectives
Students will:
• Learn how to photograph each other with a digital camera.
• Strengthen eye-hand coordination; develop observation skills and
math skills in transforming a photograph of themselves into a contour
line drawing using the grid method.

Materials: Drawing pencils, rulers, 1/2”acetate grid, sharpie markers
and paper
12” X 12”, digital camera, and printer

Vocabulary: grid method, frame, and composition

Descriptions/questions/activity:
Students will create a grid and learn how to enlarge their photograph
onto a larger paper. For opening discussion view Big Self-Portrait,
1967-1968 by Chuck Close. Discuss his process. How has his process
changed? Make a comparison to his 1991 Self-Portrait. How can we
use a similar process to create a contour line drawing of ourselves?

Brainstorm ideas about ways of depicting ourselves in the photograph.

Activity: Using the grid method students will learn how to work from
a photograph of themselves and create a contour line self-portrait.

Creating portraits: Demonstrate how to create a grid.
Create a “2 2” grid on the “12 12” white paper. Place 1/2” acetate grid
over the photo taken in class and draw the outline of the figure going
box by box. Below are some suggestions for high quality results when
making your grid drawing.
• Use the ruler accurately taking note of measurements
• Go lightly with the pencil and hold pencil by the eraser end
• First outline the shoulders, body, and head then place marks
for the hairline, chin, and features.

Assessment
Critique: For the last ten minutes of class time pair students up to
discuss how this process differs from observational drawing.
Then ask students to share out about their partners’ process.

Conclusion:
Looking at student work reflect on how this method is different
from other methods employed up to this point.
Explain Holiday Assignment.