I also do something similar with my 6th graders. I start out with an
introduction to Durer and his grid system. We start out small with a candy
wrapper. They open out the candy wrapper out flat and draw a 1/2" grid on
top of the wrapper with a Sharpie. They then number the top and left sides
starting with 0 in the uppermost corner of the grid. This is followed by 1,
2, 3, etc. going to the right and down within the box. Next, I pass out 1"
grid paper for them to duplicate the wrapper one box at a time. The wrapper
will double in size on the grid paper by the time they are finished. They
use colored pencils to replicate the colors on the wrapper. This is a
practice lesson of using a grid. Before they are finished with the wrapper,
I take a picture of each student with a digital camera. Their pose may be a
frontal view, 3/4 view or profile. I tell them that whatever face thay make
is the face they draw. They may not use their hands in their picture. I
only shoot from the shoulders up. I give them a day notice in case the girls
want to do something different with their hair. It's a big thing with them!
I print out their photos on a color printer. When they are finished with
their candy wrapper they will get their color digital photo and measure out
the grid (either 1/2" or 1" increments) starting with the upper left corner
and drawing the grid on top of their photo. They proceed to drawing the grid
on their large sheet of white drawing paper (either 1" or 2"). Remember that
the final product should double. Currently, all 4 6th grade classes are
between finishing the wrapper and starting on their portraits. The previous
art teacher that taught at my school before me did just the grid portraits
from a magazine photo and I noticed that they didn't care for the final
product much when they were finished. I guess they didn't have a personal
connection. I am hoping that the students will take this project more
seriously and take more pride in their work and put forth their best effort.
