Art Lesson Plan: Personal Identity Through Continuous Line Self-Portrait

Year/Grade Level: 10

Lesson Duration: 2 x 1 hour sessions (plus cleanup time)

Overview

In this lesson series, students will explore the concept of personal identity through the lens of contemporary artist Reko Rennie. They will create a continuous line self-portrait and incorporate personal symbols that represent their identities. This exercise encourages creativity, self-reflection, and fine motor skills.

Lesson Objectives

Understand the concept of personal identity in art.
Develop skills in continuous line drawing.
Create a self-portrait that expresses individual identity.
Sketch and refine personal symbols that are meaningful to each student.

Materials Needed

Sketchbooks or drawing paper
Pencils
Erasers
Mirrors or smartphones for selfies
Colour pencils or markers (for final touches)
Rulers (for drawing personal symbols)
A timer

Lesson Structure

Session 1: Continuous Line Self-Portrait

Introduction (10 min)

Begin with a brief discussion on Reko Rennie and how he explores personal identity in his work. Show examples of his art.
Discuss the concept of a self-portrait and personal symbols, encouraging students to think about what they want to express about themselves.

Continuous Line Drawing Warm-Up (5 min)

Objective: To practice observation and freehand drawing skills.
Activity:
- Set up mirrors or allow students to use personal devices for selfies.
- Instruct students to keep their eyes on the mirror or selfie and draw their face without lifting the pencil from the paper.
- Emphasise that the focus should be on capturing the essence of their features, not on creating a perfect likeness.
- Timing: Limit this to 5 minutes. Encourage quick and spontaneous strokes.

Reflection and Discussion (10 min)

Allow students to share their continuous line self-portraits in pairs.
Discuss the feelings and thoughts that arose during the drawing process; what was challenging? What surprised them?

Personal Symbols Exploration (20 min)

Objective: To identify and sketch personal symbols representing individual identity.
Activity:
- Have students brainstorm at least three elements that are important to them (interests, hobbies, cultural symbols).
- Instruct them to sketch these symbols in their sketchbooks. Encourage creativity, meaning, and personal relevance.
- Remind them to focus on clarity and simplicity for each symbol, as they will refine them later.

Closure (5 min)

Briefly recap what students learned about personal identity and the significance of personal symbols in art.
Remind them to bring their continuous line self-portrait and symbols to the next session.

Session 2: Refining and Finalizing Artwork

Greeting and Sharing (10 min)

Gather students together and invite them to share their personal symbols with the class.
Have them explain why they chose these symbols and what they represent in relation to their identity.

Refining the Continuous Line Self-Portrait (15 min)

Objective: To enhance the continuous line self-portrait based on student feedback and self-reflection.
Activity:
- Instruct students to review their continuous line drawings and identify areas they would like to improve.
- Provide time for them to refine their portraits by adding details or adjusting lines while still adhering to the continuous line technique.

Integrating Personal Symbols (20 min)

Objective: To create a cohesive composition that combines the self-portrait and personal symbols.
Activity:
- Encourage students to integrate their personal symbols into the self-portrait. This might involve placing the symbols around the portrait, within the lines, or as a backdrop.
- Give students time to add colour and emphasis using colour pencils or markers to create a vibrant and expressive final piece.

Cleanup Time (10 min)

Allocate time for students to clean their workspaces.
Invite students to display their artworks in a designated area of the classroom for a mini-exhibition.

Final Reflection (5 min)

Host a brief class discussion where students can reflect on their experience. Questions to prompt discussion include:
- What did you learn about yourself through this exercise?
- How do you think art can express identity?

Assessment and Feedback

Observe student participation and engagement during discussions and activities.
Collect the final artworks to assess creativity, effort, and execution of the techniques learned during the lesson.
Provide meaningful feedback highlighting the strengths in their artwork and suggestions for future improvement.

This lesson plan not only promotes artistic skills but also encourages self-discovery and personal expression among students. Enjoy exploring the world of personal identity through art!