STANDARDS

Core Art Standards: VA2, VA5, VA10

CCSS: R3, W4, SL2

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Hero Portraits: Layers of Meaning

Use what you’ve learned to make a portrait of someone you admire

Art by Jess Cole and Andy Smith. Images courtesy of Crystal Bridges.

Jess started by exploring images and words that evoke her hero, tennis star Serena Williams.

Project Prompt:

  • Who is your personal hero or role model? Learn about them and then identify symbols, text, or patterns that represent their life and heroism. This may involve researching a historical or living person or conducting an interview with someone you know personally.


Art by Jess Cole and Andy Smith. Images courtesy of Crystal Bridges.

Jess inks a drawing of Williams and experiments with solid color and textured backgrounds.

Parameters:

  • Choose and learn about your personal hero—a public figure, a family member, or a mentor.
  • Gather and/or sketch symbols, patterns, and meaningful texts that represent this individual’s story, values, or achievements. Think about objects, clothing, settings, and imagery that communicate your hero’s accomplishments, values, or identity.
  • Practice different styles of writing, including graffiti lettering.


Art by Jess Cole and Andy Smith. Images courtesy of Crystal Bridges.

How does the text help define the subject?

  • Create a layered mixed-media background using symbolic imagery, patterns, and text. Experiment with stamps, collage, and other media to create a rich, vibrant surface.
  • On a separate sheet of drawing paper, create a black-and-white linear portrait of your hero. Begin with a light pencil sketch, then use ink pens or fine markers to refine the drawing with contour lines, hatching, cross-hatching, and/or stippling.
  • Cut out your linear portrait and glue it to your patterned background, creating a balanced composition.


Art by Jess Cole and Andy Smith. Images courtesy of Crystal Bridges.

The artist incorporates texture throughout the background.

Art by Jess Cole and Andy Smith. Images courtesy of Crystal Bridges.

How do the portrait, the text, the colors, and the textures work together to evoke the subject?

This lesson was developed by the educators at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas.

Drawing From Life

Who is your personal hero or role model? Identify symbols, text, or patterns that represent their life and heroism, then create a layered, mixed-media portrait to tell that person’s story. Follow along to create your portrait!

Download the full lesson plan here.

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