Art and Design - Madame Tussauds

Art and Design
resource
Investigating portraits
Learning objectives
Students should learn:
to analyse the work of other artists and to use their
observations to inform their own work.
to discuss and question critically a range of visual and other
information to help them develop ideas for independent work
to produce portraits from photographs and real life.
Resources required:
Student Worksheets 1 - 3
Sketchbooks or paper
Section notes on worksheets
Worksheets 1 - 3 ask students to explore the definition of a portrait and to
consider how Madame Tussauds wax figures can be categorised as
portraits. Students look at different styles of portrait from realistic to
abstract, as well as pose and costume.
The importance of close observation in portraiture is emphasised
throughout and students begin observing subjects and making sketched
studies of their own.
Discussion points
What kind of people make
interesting subjects for portraits?
(Celebrities are a good example.)
Extension activities
The celebrity wax figures in Madame Tussauds
would be excellent primary source material for
creating Warhol inspired work. Students could
take photographs of the Marilyn Monroe /
Elizabeth Taylor wax figures for example, then
use photo software to work with colour to
generate a pop art effect. Alternatively they
could print out their photos in black and white
and paint over them with bright colours.
Drawing media (pencils, pens or charcoal)
Clip-boards (extension activity only)
Why do you think some artists
choose the same subjects for
their portraits repeatedly?
Supports the National Curriculum
for students aged 11 – 14
Ask students to make sketches of their favourite
celebrities on the day of their visit to Madame
Tussauds. Give them the following guidance and
a suggested task time of 20 minutes:
a bc
d
How does the way we use
portraits today differ from the
time before photography existed?
Concentrate on the torso (head and shoulders).
Draw the outline of the torso as if it were a silhouette.
Sketch in the features, being very careful to place
them correctly.
Shade and add detail.
Teacher notes 2