Sixth grade students recently completed a Baroque-inspired self-portrait.  This year, I wanted to assess student skill levels at the beginning of the unit to compare to their finished projects.  On the first day of our Baroque portrait unit, I gave each student a mirror and asked them to draw a self-portrait and use a range of value.  I collected all of the portraits and filed them away for safe keeping.

Over the next few class periods, we began studying face proportions, shapes and how to apply value correctly.  I demonstrated how to draw the eyes, nose and mouth as students followed along in their sketchbooks.  I distributed step-by-step instruction sheets to each table for students to reference while they practiced.  We also watched video clips of professional and student artists explaining how they draw the face. 

At the end of our unit, I asked the students to again draw their self-portrait and apply the techniques they had learned. 


Below are side-by-side examples of student growth.

See more student work here.

I am currently working on completing my masters thesis.  I've decided to devote more time to research writing and take a break from weekly blog posts. 

Follow me on Twitter @JordanDeWilde.  I often post pictures and information from the classroom.  Thanks!