Individual Work: Skateboard Art – A Self-Portrait

Overview

In this part of the lesson, students will engage in an individual creative project to design and sketch a self-portrait that incorporates symbolic elements representative of their personality, culture, and identity. This exercise is crucial for developing their artistic skills while allowing them to explore self-expression through art.

Objectives

• To create a self-portrait using skateboard art as a medium.
• To incorporate symbolic elements that reflect the student’s personality and identity.
• To enhance skills in design, sketching, and symbolism in visual arts.

Key Activities

Activity 1: Research Iconic Skateboard Art

• Duration: 1 Class Period
• Description: Students will explore various styles of skateboard art, noting key features, techniques, and symbolic elements used by famous skateboard artists. They will create a mood board to gather inspiration.

Activity 2: Reflective Journaling

• Duration: 1 Class Period
• Description: Each student will write a reflective journal entry on what skateboarding represents to them, the symbolic elements they resonate with, and how they want to express their identity through their artwork.

Activity 3: Conceptual Sketching

• Duration: 2 Class Periods
• Description: Students will create several preliminary sketches for their self-portrait, focusing on composition and placement of symbolic elements. They will receive peer feedback during a class critique.

Activity 4: Developing Symbolic Elements

• Duration: 1 Class Period
• Description: Students will select specific symbols that represent aspects of their identity (e.g., cultural symbols, animals, hobbies) and create detailed drawings or designs of these elements to incorporate into their final artwork.

Activity 5: Creating a Colour Palette

• Duration: 1 Class Period
• Description: Students will experiment with different colour combinations that reflect their personality and the mood they want to invoke in their artwork. They will create a colour palette that can be applied to their self-portrait.

Activity 6: Final Sketch and Layout Planning

• Duration: 1 Class Period
• Description: Based on the previous sketches and feedback, students will create a final sketch outlining their self-portrait design and the layout for their symbolic elements.

Activity 7: Art Supply Preparation

• Duration: 1 Class Period
• Description: Students will gather the required materials, including paper clay, sculpting tools, and any additional decorative supplies needed for the sculptural head project, ensuring they are prepared for the next phase.

Activity 8: Sculpting the Self-Portrait

• Duration: 4 Class Periods (spread over subsequent weeks)
• Description: Students will begin sculpting their heads using paper clay based on their designs, focusing on facial features and expressions that connect with their self-portrait concept.

Activity 9: Surface Decoration Techniques

• Duration: 2 Class Periods
• Description: After the sculpted heads are dry, students will apply techniques for decorating their portraits, incorporating the symbolic elements through painting/sculpting and various textures.

Activity 10: Presentation and Reflection

• Duration: 1 Class Period
• Description: Finally, students will present their sculptures to the class, explaining the symbolism behind their designs and the creative process. This will be followed by a reflective discussion on what they learned from the project and how their self-portrait has evolved.

Assessment

This individual work will contribute 35% towards the students' overall school mark for these units, encouraging them to explore their identity while honing their artistic skills. Emphasis will be placed on creativity, symbolism, and personal expression throughout the project.

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By engaging in these activities, students will develop not only their artistic skills but also their understanding of personal identity through the lens of art and culture, culminating in a unique self-portrait using skateboard art as a dynamic medium.