The objective of these lessons is to teach the students how to draw a portrait. Rembrandt is a good historical teacher for this objective. He used strong value, so his masterpieces are good examples of the art element: value.

These lessons takes 3 class periods of approximately 45 minutes.

To Assess the lesson, use the project rubric linked to the table of contents.

Advanced preparation: The teacher should review the links below before the lesson. The students need to bring a pencil and a sketch pad to the computer lab.

Lesson 1: Learning to draw a portrait This lesson needs to be taught in a computer lab.

Make sure the students bring a sketch pad and a pencil to the computer lab.

Have them go to the following web site to play with a face to experience with proportions.

DRAG AND DROP PORTRAITS

Then have them go through the steps on the web site below. Have them hand in their sketch pads at the end of class.

Have the students read the web pages below and follow the directions.

BEGIN HERE Students will need a partner for this so they have a face to look at. A mirror would work too.

They should make at least four practice sketches of each feature.

TO PLAY A GAME TO LEARN ABOUT PORTRAIT PROPORTIONS CLICK HERE

Next have the students draw on large portrait following the directions on the web page below:

DRAWING THE SHAPE OF FACES

Lesson 2: Learning about value and Rembrandt

Click here to get this picture in a bigger size to print out and use photocopies with your class.

EXAMPLES OF PAINTINGS BY REMBRANDT

1st: As a class read: Rembrandt, from the series "Getting to know the world's greatest artists", written and illustrated by Mike Venezia, published by Children's Press

(ISBN-0-516-42272-3) or go to this web site to read about him.LEARN ABOUT REMBRANDT (Warning: This site is loaded with advertisements and the only way to have access to it ad-free is to pay. You might not want to use it. It's a great resource though!) LEARN ABOUT BAROQUE

Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.

2nd: Have the students learn about value on the following web site: VALUE

3rd: Have the class go to this web site and read it aloud together and discuss what it means. GESTURE DRAWING

4th: Go back to the art studio and pass out the photocopies of the Rembrandt self portrait above or another example of your choice. Have your students use the picture as a reference to copy. Pass out big pieces of drawing paper and tape them down to a surface. Then have them use a charcoal pencil and roughly make a quick copy using gesture drawing techniques. Then have them shade in the gesture drawing paying attention to the different values in the picture.

Lesson 3: Drawing a self portrait

1st: Pass out mirrors. The 12" by 12" tile mirrors work great and are cheap. You just have to put tape around the edges so they are not too sharp. Try to figure out some way in your classroom to keep the mirrors up so the students can look at themselves easily.

2nd: Pass out paper and use pencils this time for the drawing. Have them gesture first. Show them how to smear the lead and use the eraser over areas with lead to make the value really light.

3rd: Put on relaxing music and let them draw for a good 40 minutes.

Use the project rubric for assessment.