Inner Reflections: The Art of Self-Portraiture

Stephen Habib

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Guide students in expressing personal identity through self-portraiture to foster self-discovery and emotional reflection.

This lesson promotes creative expression and self-awareness by connecting art with personal identity, allowing students to explore and understand their inner emotions.

Audience

Elementary to High School Students

Time

90 minutes to 2 hours

Approach

Hands-on artistic exploration using guided prompts.

Materials

Lesson Plan, Slide Deck: Self-Portraiture Prompts, and Project Guidelines: Inner Self-Portrait

Prep

Teacher Preparation

30 minutes

Review the Lesson Plan and accompanying materials.
Familiarize yourself with the slide deck prompts in Slide Deck: Self-Portraiture Prompts.
Set up the classroom with art supplies and designated work areas.
Prepare examples of self-portraits for discussion.

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

15 minutes

Begin with an open discussion about self-image and identity.
Introduce the concept of self-portraiture, showcasing examples.
Use the Slide Deck: Self-Portraiture Prompts to stimulate ideas.

Step 2

Artistic Creation

45 minutes

Instruct students to create their self-portraits using paper and art supplies.
Encourage use of colors and symbols that represent their inner thoughts and emotions.
Walk around and offer individual feedback and suggestions.

Step 3

Reflection and Sharing

30 minutes

Have students share their artwork with the class in a supportive environment.
Facilitate a discussion on how the creative process helped them understand themselves better.
Use the Project Guidelines: Inner Self-Portrait to frame reflections.

Slide Deck

Exploring Self-Identity

What does your self-portrait say about who you are?

• Consider emotions, memories, and personal symbols.
• What colors capture your mood?
• Which shapes or patterns mirror your inner landscape?

Introduce the idea of self-portraiture by asking students what they think a self-portrait can reveal about a person. Encourage them to reflect on elements like color choices, shapes, and symbols that might represent feelings or experiences. Use this slide to set the stage for the creative exercise.

Artistic Inspirations

Look at these examples:

Bold colors for bold emotions
Soft lines for gentle introspections
Mixed mediums for the complexity of identity

How might you use similar techniques in your artwork?

Show various examples of self-portraits, with emphasis on diversity in style and the symbolic use of elements in art. Prepare talking points on how each element represents a part of the subject's inner life.

Reflect & Create

Questions to Consider:

• How do your experiences shape your self-image?
• What elements of your inner world are you excited to portray?
• Which symbols, colors, or patterns speak to your personal journey?

Use these reflections as a starting point for your self-portrait.

Pose reflective questions that prompt students to look inward and consider how art and personality connect. This slide is meant to spark ideas just before the art creation process.

Project Guide

Project Guidelines: Inner Self-Portrait

In this project, you will create a self-portrait that expresses not just your physical appearance, but also your inner world – your thoughts, feelings, and personal identity. This project is designed to help you explore and convey your emotions through artistic techniques.

Artistic Techniques

Use of Color: Choose colors that represent different aspects of your personality and emotions. Consider warm colors to express energy and passion, or cool colors for calm and introspection.
Incorporation of Symbols: Incorporate symbols or motifs that are meaningful to you. They can be subtle or pronounced, but they should reflect aspects of your inner landscape.
Creative Composition: Experiment with various artistic styles. Your work can be abstract, realistic, or somewhere in between – the goal is to express your personal inner narrative.

Reflection Prompts

Before and during the creative process, consider the following questions to guide your work:

What emotions or experiences are most central to your identity?
How do colors and shapes reflect your inner feelings?
Are there any symbols that hold special meaning in your life? How might these be integrated into your portrait?

Project Expectations

Originality: Your self-portrait should be a unique representation of you. Avoid copying examples directly; instead, let your individual creativity shine through.
Effort and Experimentation: Embrace the creative process. Use this opportunity to try new techniques and explore different artistic mediums.
Reflection and Sharing: Be prepared to discuss your work with the class. Consider how the act of creating your self-portrait has deepened your understanding of yourself and your emotions.

This project is more than just an assignment; it is a journey towards self-discovery. Enjoy the process, and let your inner self guide your creative expression.