To begin the school year, every student Pre-K thru 5th grade (and even some teachers) did a 5.5"x 8.5" self-portrait using Sharpie and colored pencils.  I cut them all out and put them together on a bulletin board asking "What makes you unique?"

I never want to take this down.  It has brought so much joy to students, teachers and parents.  I love coming out in the hall and seeing people of all ages adoring all of the different self-portraits.  I just LOVE it!

I am super, duper excited to share these 5th grade self-portraits with the world.  Last years 5th graders created self-portraits as well but many students felt a bit disappointed at the end.  It was my goal to come up with a process of creating self-portraits so that each and every 5th grade student would feel successful at the end.

I got this project started by bringing in a bunch of sunglasses and calling the students back one by one to pick a pair, wear them, and pose for a photograph.  Next, I printed each picture out on 8 1/2 x 11 paper (I am so thankful to teach at a school where I am able to do something like this).  Using a light box, each photograph was used to trace the contour lines of the portrait using a black Sharpie.  We traced the image onto a 12x12" square sheet of paper to mimic instagram and profile pictures.  

I created a worksheet for students to complete before beginning to color their self-portrait.  On the worksheet, students had to practice using colored pencils for mixing their own skin tone with at least three different color combinations.  They also had to practice adding highlights and shadows to a small image and had to create at least 3 different colorful patterns.

Using the most successful combination of colors for their skin tone, students colored in their faces and any other parts of their skin in the image.  Next they added pinks for rosy cheeks, and used dark and light colors to create highlights and shadows.  Students used a similar approach with their hair color.

After using their choice of color for their shirts and sunglass rims, students used 2-4 colors to fill their entire background with a fun, colorful repetitive pattern.  The last step was to mirror this image in their sunglasses as a reflection of their surroundings.  The result is what you see here, these whimsical, dream-like, very unique self-portraits.

The 5th graders worked very hard to complete these self-portraits and I am so grateful for the amount of pride that each students feels about their artwork.  They truly turned out amazing. I have had more teachers and students compliment these than any project I've taught before.  Super proud!!!

I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to have a few of these Self-portraits framed and hanging in a beautiful cafe in downtown Asheville called 67 Biltmore.   67biltmore.com  This eatery is ran by an awesome CDS family and is so kind to host some student artwork!

WHO AM I???

5th grade students looked at and discussed many images of self-portraits by other artists.  As we went through the images, I really pushed students to think about how this represents WHO the artist is.  I asked them to try to look past the obvious such as hair color and gender, but rather to question what the different elements of the portrait might symbolize.  

Students talked about colors used, background, symbolism of jewelry, painting style,  facial expression and more.  Their ideas were insightful and complex.  This discussion about self-portraits made me very proud of the 5th grade students.

After this discussion, students made lists about themselves to prepare for creation of their own self-portrait.  They wrote things like favorite colors, meaningful places or experiences, hobbies, and such.
Using this list for inspiration, students did at least three thumbnail sketches (small sketches) to come up with multiple ideas.  

Next students had to create their final self-portrait showing WHO they are.  They did this on large poster board paper beginning with a pencil drawing, moving onto acrylic paint and then finally adding details with oil pastels.

The results are super fun, very creative and expressive!

Some of the finished products: