High School

Reese T., Ozie, grade twelve.

The Essential Questions
How can artists include non-traditional materials in their work?

Objective
Students will learn about portraits and use various media to create an abstract or Pop Art version of their own portrait.

Materials
paper, pencils, colored pencils, sketchbooks, paint (watercolor, tempera, and acrylic), adhesive vinyl sheets in various colors, glitter glue or similar alternative, paint markers, stickers, various collage materials, textiles, scissors

Procedures
1. Review the basics of portrait drawing with the class. On a large sheet of paper, have students use a grid or draw by hand a portrait of a person or animal.
2. Discuss Pop Art and abstract styles with the class, emphasizing how artists stretch reality to highlight unique features, colors, and designs. Students also explore artists who use vinyl or ways to use adhesive vinyl in their work.
3. Have students use their sketchbooks to experiment with various media and materials, including different types of paint (watercolor, tempera, and acrylic), glitter glue or a similar alternative, adhesive vinyl sheets, paint markers, stickers, collage materials, and textiles.
4. Once they have experimented with a variety of materials, students should draw thumbnail sketches of their subject and use colored pencils to plan the colors for their final portrait.
5. Direct students to paint and apply mixed media to their work to create meaningfully unique portraits.
6. After the portraits have been titled and mounted, display them in the hallway.

Assessment
Have students add an artist statement to describe what they added for an unexpected twist.

Dannielle Arneson is an art teacher at Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.