Content: An Important Element
When first learning how to create a
portrait, a “plain Jane” image is fine.
Once you have mastered the technical side of drawing the face and body,
it is important that you have meaning
or a theme to support the idea you are
trying to illustrate. If you leave a portrait project open-ended, students will
often resort to trite imagery. Challenge the idea that portraits are only
about a face with innovative themes
relevant to them, for example, any
simple word like “three,” important
social issues, multiple points of view,
or how others see you.
the four Cs are always a handy
resource to inspire wonderful and
insightful artwork that will engage
your student as well as the viewers
who enjoy them.
Putting It All Together
Now that you have all the tools, you
have come full circle. Begin using the
wonderful lessons you have created
with the four Cs infused. Whether
you teach printmaking, sculpture,
painting, drawing, or graphic design,
Nicole D. Brisco is an art teacher at Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana,
Texas, and a SchoolArts advisory board
member. nbrisco@pgisd.net
NATIONAL STANDARD
Students conceive and create works
of visual art that demonstrate an
understanding of how the communication of their ideas relates to the
media, techniques, and processes
they use.
WEB LINK
www.pgisd.net/99220325153420523/
site/ default.asp
Left page: (Top right) Working with an
artist-inspired palette this student creates a quiet and contemplative portrait;
(Bottom) Multiplicity allows the artist to
represent herself in a variety of ways.
Top: Using narrative content allows the artist to tell a story. Bottom
right: The use of bold contour line conveys the concept of a creative
journey. Bottom left: Working with concept this artist is able to communicate, in an unusual way, how she is seen by others.
