Portraiture SSN - Toolkit Demonstrator

Learning Programmes with Portraits

Case Study: Self-Portrait Commission Project

These project notes were put together by a teacher at Acland Burghley School working with the Learning and Access Department at the National Portrait Gallery through the engage Watch This Space teacher placement. They are based on an actual term-length Year 10 project and the entire project notes are downloadable from the NPG website:

This condensed version can assist with the Diploma in Creative and Media units Level 1 Visual Arts and Level 3 Capture and Analysing the Influence of Genre.

Commissioning Portraits

The National Portrait Gallery has commissioned contemporary portraits of people who have made an important contribution to British history and culture since 1979. Since 1979 the Gallery has commissioned 140 portrait paintings, sculptures, drawing and works in mixed media, and about 120 photographs.

Objectives:

To enable students to identify and make links between Historical and Contemporary art practices.
To develop students' understanding of 2D visual-language and its codes and conventions when applied to portrait images.
To develop students' ability to use the 'self' as a starting point to generate original work and to be able to recognise how other artists do this.
To develop students' ability to successfully manipulate and control 2D media, processes and technologies.
To extend students' understanding of the vocational possibilities within the field of painting and photography

Project Brief

You have been commissioned to create a self-portrait for display at the National Portrait Gallery in London. You have been asked to submit 2 images: one should be a formal portrait based on the Public Self and the other should reflect the Private Self