Shoe Portraits

Fifth Grade
3 to 4 Class Periods

Shoe Portraits, Fifth Grade Art Lesson

Day 1:
Students were instructed on this very first day that they would be drawing self-portrait.  Many students gasped at the thought of having to draw a picture of themselves and were groaning at the thought of how to tackle something that seemed so difficult to execute.

After the grumbling stopped, I informed students that their self-portrait was not to be of their face, it was to be of their shoes.  This new spin on on a lesson, had many students hooked right away.

Together as a class I demonstrated to the students how to set up their paper to get started.  I emphasized the power of observation and the importance of looking at what they were drawing. Students were taught how to the draw the outside of the shoe and work their way in.  Adding more and more details as they drew.

Day 2:
Students continued to work on drawing their shoe for the second day of class.  (At the end of the first day of this lesson, students were informed to make sure that they wore the same shoes to class). 

The concept of horizon line was discussed and added into the composition. 

We then discussed drawing items on the floor by our shoes to help others identify our self-portraits.  These items could be hobby related, based off of likes, pets, foods, sports, etc.  Items had to be drawn in proportion to one another as well as to the shoe.  This concept of proportion was discussed in a great amount of detail.

Day 3 to 4:
Students continued to draw, outline and color their pieces.  Students were allowed to use markers, colored pencil or crayons to finish this assignment.  Craftsmanship was stressed.

Student Examples: