Lesson Plan: Exploring Personal Identity through Art
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
By the end of this lesson series, students will be able to:
- 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 Drawing (45 minutes)
Introduction to Continuous Line Drawing (10 minutes)
- Begin by discussing what a continuous line drawing is. Explain that it involves drawing a subject without lifting the pencil from the paper.
- Show examples of continuous line drawings, including works by Reko Rennie, to inspire students and illustrate how personal identity can be represented.
Practicing Continuous Line Drawing (15 minutes)
- Activity: Students will practice continuous line drawing using their non-dominant hand. This exercise will help them loosen up and think differently about the drawing process.
- Instruction:
- Have students choose a simple object or their own hand as the subject.
- Set the timer for 5 minutes. Challenge them to keep their pencil on the paper without lifting it, following the contours of the object.
- Once completed, students should reflect on the experience and share how it felt to draw without lifting the pencil.
Creating a Self-Portrait (15 minutes)
- Activity: Students will create a continuous line self-portrait.
- Instruction:
- Students will use mirrors or take selfies on their smartphones to observe their facial features.
- They will begin drawing their faces in a continuous line style, focusing on capturing their unique characteristics.
- Remind students to keep their pencils moving and think abstractly about the lines they create.
Incorporating Personal Symbols (5 minutes)
- Activity: Students will sketch small personal symbols that represent their identity.
- Instruction:
- Ask students to think about symbols that are meaningful to them (e.g., hobbies, culture, values).
- Have them draw these symbols around the self-portrait they’ve just created.
Session 2: Refining and Presenting Artwork (60 minutes)
Refinement of Self-Portraits and Symbols (20 minutes)
- Students will review and refine their continuous line self-portraits. They can use erasers to adjust lines and add detail to their personal symbols.
- Encourage them to enhance their artwork with colour pencils or markers.
Group Sharing and Reflection (20 minutes)
- Have each student present their artwork to the class. As they share, they should explain their self-portrait and the significance of the symbols they included.
- Facilitate a discussion on how different symbols represent various aspects of personal identity.
Cleanup (10 minutes)
- Allocate time for students to clean their workspace while discussing what they learned about identity and artistic expression during the sessions.
Evaluation
- Assess students based on creativity, effort, and the thoughtfulness of their reflections during presentations.
- Provide feedback on their continuous line drawings and the incorporation of personal symbols.
Conclusion
This lesson allows students to explore their identity through artistic expression, develop technical skills, and practice reflection and communication. By connecting their personal stories to their artwork, students enhance their understanding of themselves and their peers.