Self portrait in a masterpiece

LESSON PLAN

GRADE: 9-12 CLASS: Computer Illustration

SUBJECT OF LESSON: Self Portrait in a Masterpiece

TYPE OF LESSON: Illustration

I. OBJECTIVE/PURPOSE: The students will create a self portrait within a masterpiece. The objectives are many. Students will learn new tools within the program, learn how to create a self portrait, and learn, in detail, about a masterpiece of art and the artist.

II. MOTIVATION/ANTICIPATORY SET: Students love to create projects that are relevant to their own lives. Creating a self portrait is a great way for students explore themselves. The students will also have the opportunity to put themselves into history. Creating the self portrait is only a part of the project. The other part is to put them “back in time” and place themselves in a famous painting. I will show the students previous artwork created in the past so they can see what is expected. Students will create both themselves and the painting in their own style on the computer.

III. CONTENT: The students will search the internet for their favorite artist, and then find a favorite painting that has a person as a major part of the piece. The students will save the work to their computer. We will then take a picture of each student in the exact pose that the person is in in the picture, expressions, countenance, and gestures. Students will download their images to their Hard Drive via the “J” drive on the computer. I will transfer all the images to the "J” Drive. A series of questions will be asked to facilitate the lesson. It is important for the students to know what types of picture and artists they can use that best emulate what the expectations will be.

1. What makes people have favorite artists? Answer: Answers will vary. Artwork should convey something to each person. It may be that it takes them back to a favorite time in their lives, etc..

2. What makes one picture better than another for the purpose of this project? Answer: The image has to have a person that is the main attraction or center of the piece.

3. How can you duplicate the style of the artists?
Answer: It is not necessary to copy the artists. You are using them for reference, but the style will be different because it is created on the computer.

4. Why do you think I would choose this topic?
Answer: Answers will vary. Make them more aware their favorite artists and also the students will be working on this project for a month, so they will get to know every detail about a certain painting.


MODELING: We will discuss through our question and answer period different ideas about projects, artists, techniques, etc…. I will allow this portion of the lesson to proceed no more than 12-15 minutes because I want the students to remain excited and start their search.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS: Adobe Photoshop, Computer, Wacom Tablets, internet, digital camera, flash drives, scanner

GUIDED PRACTICE: I will do a demonstration lesson on the large screen so the students can best identify how and where to get their images from on the internet. I will have an image of myself on the screen taken in the exact pose as my favorite artist to get them started. I will walk around and help students at all stages. This is important simply because I want students to remain focused on the idea of finding the perfect image first, and then we can have their picture taken.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE: Students will be able to research at home any work that does not get done in class. This is a crucial aspect, because the students will be spending so much time on the project, I want it to be one that they are excited about creating.

CLOSURE: Everyone at this point should understand the assignment and begin the process. After each day student will have completed each phase that will introduce them to the next step.

COLLECTION OF MATERIALS: No materials will be collected for this assignment. Everything will be saved to their computers or flash drives.

EVALUATION: I will evaluate each student on how well they followed instructions, and participated in class activities. All students should have accomplished this task with 100% efficiency. I will have been checking for understanding throughout the lesson to make sure
everyone remained on task.

ILLUSTRATIVE MATERIALI will have many images that are appropriate for this project on the computer screen for the students to get the idea. I will also show them images that were created in the past using the same concept.

ENRICHMENT: Students that finish the project early will have the opportunity to place a family member in the picture. This would be a great gift for them to give a loved one.