At least once a year, I like to do a self portrait project.  If I do one at the beginning of the year, we might be able to fit another one in at the end of the year and see how they have changed and improved.

Students had a mirror to look at themselves.  We discussed facial features and proportions and drew with a black crayon to encourage drawing large and to discourage lots of erasing.  I introduced the 3/4 portrait to students and gave them the option to try out this more advanced approach.  Most portraits are done in a 3/4 pose, meaning the subject is not facing the viewer directly but has their head turned 3/4 to one side.  However, this pose is much more challenging to draw as one half of the face is foreshortened.  I am happy to report that many students attempted the 3/4 portrait and did a great job!

We painted our portraits with tempera paint. These were done by my Beginner and Intermediate classes.  Some of the Advanced class are still working.