- Student Photographs
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Fine Point Sharpie
- Extra Fine Point Sharpie
- White Drawing Paper
I LOVE doing portrait projects with my students and I always do an identity project to begin their art term. I thought this would be a great way to combine the two.
I teach my students about micrography and how it differs from typography. I took photos of all my students and printed them out for their guides. I also gave them a worksheet where they needed to list 40 POSITIVE characteristics about themselves.
1. Trace all major outlines of the face. Include neck, shoulders, eye brows, hair lines. I avoid doing individual teeth and emphasize do not draw a triangle around the nose. My students always want to draw a whole shape for their nose because they mentally know there is a nose there, but I have to point out that we don't see a shape around our nose like our eyes or mouth. I demonstrate how to do the nostrils and bridge.
I did mine on tracing paper as an example for my students to see what I'm looking for. It's hard to see pencil marks on a black and white image from far away. Tracing paper is not needed for this lesson, but you can definitely add it as an extra step.
If you did do this on tracing paper, you would now have to transfer the contour drawing onto a "good piece of paper." If not, I approve the outline, and then students can sharpie the outline right onto the print out.
2. NOW we trace the contour line onto a "good piece of paper" either using a light box or a window. The students should have a pencil contour line drawing on their final paper similar to what is seen above.
3. Fill in with words! The actual lines (ex. neck, chin) are just written on with words. Students will start to notice the smaller the letters and the less space between, the more "filled in" the image appears (just like pointilism, eh?). This part is all done with pencil.
5. Next step is to extra fine point sharpie over the words.
6. Erase any visible pencil marks.
Some images I use as examples:
All are from: http://gawno.com/2009/05/micrography-text-art-and-typography/.
* You might also like Micrography Thumbprints.
** On a side note, does anyone know how to easily place pictures side by side? I'd rather post that way than have to keep scrolling...
LOVE this lesson! I may have to do this with my 6th graders next year! Great resources too!
ReplyDeleteWow these are great I love them thank you for the link, I will try this out in class.
ReplyDeleteI needed a quick lesson for two new students, so I gave your lesson a try. I absolutely love the results! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou can see my students work at http://stuckinthemudpottery.blogspot.com
Could you share the worsheet you give the students to brainstorm the 40 positive words about themselves? THANKS!!! Awesome lesson!
ReplyDeleteHi, Anonymous! I don't mind sharing : ), What is your email address?
ReplyDeleteHi! I love this idea. I am going to use it for my first lesson with my 6th graders. Would you be willing to share your worksheet? Thanks! Great blog!
ReplyDeletesure, whats your email address? : )
ReplyDeleteI would love a copy of that worksheet as well! staceylemp@gmail.com
DeleteTHANKS!!!
This is a great lesson! I teach Middle School Art in the inner city, and I know my students would really benefit from a Positive Identity lesson, such as this! If it isn't a bother, would you mind sharing the worksheet with me, also? I am so inspired by this lesson! Thank YOU!
ReplyDeletesure, whats your email address? : )
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! What grade did you do it with? I want to try it with my fifth graders! WOuld you mind sending me your worksheet as well? Mara_S@icsbangkok.com
ReplyDeleteThanks!
-Mara
Love this!! Thanks so much for the steps to do it. I think Im going to do this with my Art 1 class as an intro before we start our unit on portraits. If you wouldn't mind I would love if you would email me the worksheet for the 40 things. My email is
ReplyDeleteslatham@ppsb.org
Im all about begging and borrowing :)
Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Thank you so much..I love this lesson! I work with at risk students in the South Bronx, NY...this would be wonderful for them Please email me a worksheet and also what size were the finished portraits?
ReplyDeleteTerry
fufuyina@yahoo.com
I would love a copy of the worksheet for this lesson as well! Thanks,
ReplyDeleteJoanie
jwilcox@psusd.us
LOVE this! Just got everything prepped to do it with my 8th graders - Such a positive lesson. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletePlease send a copy of the worksheet. I would love to do this with my students so that can include it in their heritage book.
ReplyDeleteKmingst@brentwood.k12.ca.us
Great lesson for the start of the new school year - as it is now in Australia!
ReplyDeleteI would also love to have a copy of your character sheet. Thank you for sharing this fun lesson.
ReplyDeletejennifer.terwee@k12.sd.us
I would also love a copy of your character worksheet. Thank you so much! I am constantly trying to find different ideas for my students!
ReplyDeletebookworm531@yahoo.com
I would love a copy of the worksheet also if you don't mind :) My email address is dani1elle@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteor my school address is debert@putnamcityschools.org Thanks so much again! this is great!
DeleteIf it isn't too much trouble, I would really appreciate a copy of the worksheet you used. We did a micrography lesson using a dove to represent peace. I would really like for them to create a self-portrait! My email address is leilei3349@gmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your creative ideas!
Leilani
Hello, yes, I would like a copy of your worksheet as well. Thank you for a wonderful idea!! amanda
ReplyDeleteayjayoh@aol.com
Great Lesson! Can I please have a copy of your worksheet also. And what size paper did you do this on?
ReplyDeleteJamie
custcreations@aol.com
Hi, I too would like to have a copy of the worksheet. I am a volunteer art teacher for students in k-6. The school system here has cut all art programs due to budget restraints, so the students had nothing in the way of art or music. So I volunteer 4 - 5 days a week teaching everything from clay to watercolor to chalk... and LOVE EVERY SECOND!! Hopefully this will catch on with other parents as well and the upper grades can have art too. : ) Thanks for the creative idea. My email is kelearley@aol.com. Thanks again, Kelli
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah....
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! Can you send me a copy of the worksheet? Thanks!
sweeneyl@chapel-hill.org
would you mind sending me a copy of the worksheet you use? houcklm@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI, too, am not above begging. Please send a copy of your worksheet to messerlyk@rcschools.net. Students at my alternative school need all kinds of ways to see themselves in a positive light. Awesome project! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for posting this great idea! I'm your newest follower! If you do have a worksheet, I would love to have it! bwheato@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteBrittany
http://thesuperheroteacher.blogspot.com/
I teach 5th gr and am always looking for something new for the students to makefor our 5th grade portrait wall on display during their elementary grad celebration. This looks like the perfect thing for them. I too would be so appreciative if you could email me the worksheet tamarans@leeschools.get thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm teaching 5th grade summer school this year. This would be a wonderful project. Please email me your worksheet @ rharewood@tattnall.k12.ga.us
ReplyDeletethanks
I know there have already been many requests for the workshet you have created and I am hoping that I can jump on the bandwagon as well. I think this lesson would be great for the students I am working with in Nepal. Art, self identity, dictionary work, and something to cover our walls that doesn't take a lot of resources...I'm in! email: kelly.skillingstead@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI, too, would love a copy of the worksheet! Thank you! jensiglin@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteLove this...plan on having students do this as a part of a creative writing unit where their work will be displayed at 8th grade promotion. I'd love a copy of the planning worksheet, too.
ReplyDeletejchlystek@propelschools.org
Thanks!
Thought you might like this one that was posted recently:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.behance.net/gallery/A-Better-Choice/5677621
or a mixed media:
http://www.behance.net/gallery/Self-Promotion/3335989
Hi! Awesome post! I can't wait to try this with my current class, and again in the fall with my AG (Homeroom) as a community building activity. Thanks so much for sharing! I too would LOVE your activity sheet...jana.buckle@sd71.bc.ca
ReplyDeletehey! I agree with everyone on this page! If possible I would love to do this with my Jr.High kids. Great way to start the year and work on positive self identity. My email is amanda.larson01@gmail.com. TIA!
ReplyDeleteHello, and thanks for a wonderful beginning of the year portrait activity. I would love to do this with my 6th graders. Will you share your activity sheet with yet another art teacher? Thanks so much! mmlind@charter.net
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson. Could you please send me the activity sheet
ReplyDeleteAluebbe@ashgrove.k12.mo.US
Thanks
This is wonderful! I would love a copy of the worksheet. Thank you!
ReplyDeletedaviskr@svusd.org
What a great idea! What size were the printed photographs you took of your students? If I had my students bring in a photograph, what size would you recommend? (I would make a copy for them to trace-wouldn't want to damage the original.) I would also appreciate a copy of the sheet you had your students fill out. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteCRBURRELL@aol.com
I, too, am loving this lesson/idea. We start school this Wednesday and have Open House the very next week! I would love to have my 6th graders work on this the first week and have something to show their parents! Would you please share with me the worksheet you used? I would also like to know what size of printed photo you had the students use. Thanks so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeletemmorford@usd422.org
What a great lesson. I am going to give this a try and would love the worksheet that accompanies the lesson. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeletelis.aaah@yahoo.com
I tried to comment, but didn't see it posted, I'll try again.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have the worksheet need for this lesson; I'd like to try it very soon.
Thank you!
slbutler@access.k12.wv.us
Hi!!!! I love your idea too!!! School starts next week and I would want to try this right away. Could I also have the worksheet???
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Michele
mdahlinger@hotmail.com
Hello! I truly appreciate your willingness to share the micrography portrait idea. I am also interested in receiving your worksheet.
ReplyDeleteThank you,
crmhwinners@gmail.com
I'd love your worksheet, thanks! mrenkema79@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is fantastic! If you're still sharing the positive words, please send them to juliemrsn@gmail.com. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI too would love a copy of your worksheet that accompanies this fantastic activity! Thank you - peg_dimakis@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteLOVE this project! May I have a copy of your worksheet as well? ctharme@lsps.org
ReplyDeleteWould love to do this activity with my grade 6 class...could I also get a copy of the worksheet...thanks so much!
ReplyDeletelauralee.mattice@granderie.ca
Hello I am from Israel , could I also get a copy of the worksheet and the micrography lesson, great lesson thanks so much
ReplyDeleteSorry, I would love a copy as well of the worksheet. Emcurnew@cbe.ab.ca
ReplyDeleteThanks so much I really appreciate it.
May I have a copy of your worksheet as well? Your willingness to share is appreciated. cjohnston@prsdmb.ca
ReplyDeletei love this project , can i get the worksheet to? sharon.sadiel@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much I really appreciate it
WOW! What a great lesson. l would love a copy of the worksheet for this lesson. And also,
ReplyDeletewhat size were the photos that you gave to the kids? Thank you so much for your time.
bkaye@dslextreme.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI too would love a copy of your worksheet that accompanies this fantastic activity! Thank you -
ReplyDeletecarsondbutterworth@yahoo.com
You're the best!!
Hi! I really like this lesson as well! Would you mind emailing the worksheet to me too? Norrisc@frederick.k12.va.us
ReplyDeleteThanks!
May I have a copy of the worksheet? yangpajkou@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThis is a great lesson. I am so happy I followed the link from pintrest! May I have a copy of the worksheet too? I would love to try this with my 8th grade. tracymarsh5@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you!
I've been search the internet for an awesome cumulative project for my grade 7/8s for our poetry unit, and I think I've found it!
ReplyDeleteMay I have a copy of your worksheet? I will ensure to credit you when I use it!
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful idea :-)
My email is chewyeinstein@yahoo.com
Love this lesson. We have been working on zentangles, and I am sure my students would be up for this lesson. We have started our poetry unit for poetry month and this lesson will fit in nicely. Could I also get a copy of the worksheet, as my students are younger and need direction, (me too!)
ReplyDeleterenee.burgess.2012@gmail.com