Submitted by Stephanie Ignazio, Underwood School, Newton, MA Lesson: The Human Head and Picasso Grade Level: 6 Objectives: Students will: identify facial proportions of both a frontal and a profile view. learn to create a portrait of a classmate by both observing and measuring. investigate facial proportions and contour line drawing. Cubism will be introduced and the role of Picasso in its development. understand the expression involved in Cubism and the creative procedures involved in creating a piece of Cubist art. create a multi-media portrait using their newfound knowledge of Picasso.

Materials:

Procedures:

• Students will begin by looking at their partner's faces.  By measuring their partner's heads they will understand proportionately where features reside ... eyes halfway down, ears parallel, where the nose ends, etc.  This is a time for experimentation and discovery before the "actual facts" are elaborated.
• Discuss symmetry of features and how the shape of the head varies from individual to individual.
• Discussion of facial features and proportions can be illustrated by creating a handout of a frontal and profile positioned head with measurements so that students can follow along.
• After a discussion on proportion, students will create a portrait in pencil of their partner in both profile and frontal views.
• Introduce Picasso and his theories of Cubism and abstraction... be sure to show the progression in Picasso's life from realism to abstraction.
• By taking both of their pencil drawings the students will be instructed to combine all features into a new abstracted version of their partner.  They will be taking something REAL and abstracting it into something creative and imaginative.
• Create two idea sketches before final is begun.
• To create variety and interest in their work, explain that the NEGATIVE space should be filled with either color/textures or pattern arrangements.  A good guideline is at least TWO different patterns and TWO different colors/textures.
• Once a satisfactory arrangement is decided upon, students will use the large heavy paper to draw out their portrait. Using a black permanent Sharpie marker, the can outline all areas and add more patterns (if desired).
• Choices are up the the student in how to add color.  Color relationships should be stressed (i.e. opposites attract, cool colors only, etc.).  The use of at least three materials is desirable.

Assessment:

• Students have followed guidelines for creativity:  all features utilized, both frontal and profile views incorporated, color arrangements have meaning, use of at least three materials.
• Group discussion/critique with display of sketch work, drawings and final piece . . . discussion of process and self evaluation.

Final Note:

This project is always successful!  The students really enjoy learning about their heads and how they are all put together.  I usually pick students in the room and have children guess what shape head they have (for the entire year they remember who has the largest or roundest head shape!).  Although at first they are resistant to abstraction, they soon come around and it becomes such a creative, inventive atmosphere that it is amazing and wonderful to watch.  The projects always get the OOHS and AAHS!