High School Studio Lesson
Chelsea Niemeier, Grade eleven.
Expressive
Costume Portraits
Debra Lott
Contemporary costumes,
expressive techniques, and
mixed media can take “the
ordinary” out of figure
studies. To pique student interest
and create
a meaningful figurative
study, have
students bring
in their latest fashion accessories
(hats, shawls, neck warmers, denim
jackets, etc.), or shop the local thrift
stores to create a unique collaboration of styles.
Contemporary Examples
Engage students with a PowerPoint
slide show of expressive figurative
artwork by contemporary artists
including: a Giacometti figure draw-
ing, a Käthe
Kollwitz self-
portrait, the
Lucian Freud
painting of the
Queen of England, and an Alice
Neel portrait. Point out each artist’s
individual expressive approach
that has created fresh, unlabored
brushstrokes and mark-making. All
are great for inspiration.
Draw in details, highlights
and shadows with various com-
binations of Conté crayons.
1. Pose the model in an exaggerated
worm’s-eye view sitting on a ladder, or have students sit on the
floor and place the model above
eye level on a table.
2. Students then sketch a quick
figure composition including the
background on 24 x 36" corrugated cardboard sheets.
3. Tear open extra cardboard pieces
to reveal the inner rippled surface. Encourage students to apply
pieces of cardboard and texture to
the face, clothing, or background
of their composition.
