Art and Design - Madame Tussauds

Self-portraits
Art and Design
resource
Learning objectives
Students should learn:
to analyse the work of other artists and to use their
observations to inform their own work
to apply and extend their experience of a range of materials,
tools and processes
to explore composition, style and technique.
Resources required:
Worksheet 4
Access to internet so that students can research a favourite
self-portrait or reference books containing colour art prints.
Section notes on worksheets
Through discussion of famous artists who have produced self-portraits
and close analysis of two famous paintings which are shown on the
worksheet, students learn how to extract meaning beyond the literal
from works of art, and expand their understanding of content, form,
material, technique and process.
Discussion points
Why have so many artists throughout time been interested in
producing self-portraits?
What are the challenges of representing yourself through art?
What aspects of ourselves should we look to represent in a
self-portrait? Should we aim to portray our thoughts, feelings and
experiences as well as our appearance?
Supports the National Curriculum
for students aged 11 – 14
Extension activities
Brief students to create a ‘spidergram of me’, thinking about what aspects of their
lives best represent them to inform their ongoing work on self-portraits.
As a homework activity, ask students to create a personal identity box from card,
using nets. Alternatively they can use an old shoe-box or similar. In their box they
should place items that show images of, or signify their interests, values and
life-experiences. They can decorate the inside and outside of the box accordingly as
well. You might like to bring in some examples of the work of Joseph Cornell for
them to look at for inspiration.
Teacher notes 3