Tuesday, September 11, 2012

First Grade Family Portraits!

My first graders are finishing up their family portraits...and they are scrumptious!!!! These are large- 12x18 and my main focus is on facial features and drawing from observation.

I did not allow the kids to use pencil first- black crayon only. I do a lot of projects (especially with my younger grades) like this because so much time is spent erasing and I'd much rather have their work honest, real, and fresh.

We also talk about composition (large drawings on large paper) an filing up the paper, even by simply coloring the background one color to fill up the space!!




*I will also add that yes, I DO draw the "heads" for them....I go around the room and ask each student how many people live in their house. This way you avoid heads that are too large or too small...then they do the rest of the work!
Posted by at

21 comments:

  1. Elizabeth September 11, 2012 at 2:56 PM

    These are fabulous!! Love the teeth!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanna DavisSeptember 12, 2012 at 7:04 AM

      Thanks! My favorite is the last one, the green one...especially since Dad is a Dentist ;)

      Delete
  2. Patty PalmerSeptember 11, 2012 at 7:30 PM

    I adore these!!! It's so rare that we see the whole family in a portrait. I also like how you use a template for the faces...smart!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanna DavisSeptember 12, 2012 at 7:05 AM

      Thanks! I've tried letting them draw their own heads and it's excruciating to watch...so with this being one of the first projects of the year I just do it for them and let them take it from there!

      Delete
  3. KimSeptember 14, 2012 at 9:26 AM

    Do you teach them how to draw eyes, mouths, noses, etc. first? I love this project but since this is my first year teaching art (after teaching 5th grade for 6 years!) I'm not sure how they would know how to do them so well. These look great for first graders!
    ktencza123@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanna DavisSeptember 15, 2012 at 4:07 PM

      Hi Kim, yes, I do a full demo on how to draw faces first...I will email you my "talking points" and key words :)

      Delete
    2. Mrs. H.November 9, 2017 at 2:54 PM

      Would it be possible to get a copy of those talking points?

      Delete
    3. Megan WernerNovember 12, 2017 at 12:19 PM

      Hi! Would I be able to get your talking key points too? My first graders are drawing portraits of their grandparents for "Grandpal's Day" at our school and I need all the help I can get!

      meganmwerner@gmail.com

      Delete
    4. UnknownFebruary 7, 2023 at 6:25 PM

      Hi, I know this post is old, but hoping someone might be able to reply to me about the talking points and key words! This is such a cute art project! Thanks! My email: sonya.yong@gmail.com THANK YOU!

      Delete
  4. NancySeptember 18, 2012 at 3:14 PM

    Joanna, I would love a copy of your talking points. I would love to try these family portraits with my first graders. Knfallon@roadrunner.com.

    Thanks
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Miss Finn August 31, 2013 at 11:07 AM

    AMAZING :)
    I am planning to do this next week for just a self-portrait project. If you wouldn't mind sharing your key talking points!
    It is my first year teaching ever! Grade 1
    Thanks

    finncarleen@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownSeptember 11, 2013 at 9:54 PM

    Hi Joanna, I am the Art Teacher at my school and was planning on starting off the school year by having my 1st graders do a family portrait: that way they can express who they are and I can learn more about them. I looked up 1st grade family portraits and this popped up: I love these! Much more "zoomed in" than I was thinking, but I think that works better! Would you mind e-mailing your talking points to me too, please? Now I'm even more excited about this project, the kids will love it! Thanks,
    -Brooks: bearmullen87@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownSeptember 22, 2013 at 6:21 PM

    Joanna, I love this project! I was looking for an inspiring project to do with my first graders this week and I think this is it! Can you please send me your talking points?
    Thanks,
    Kate
    katefey@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Miz LottieNovember 10, 2013 at 11:29 AM

    Joanna, Do you still have the talking points about this lesson? We are focusing on families for November, and would love to have these portraits displayed for conferences at the end of the month. Thank You! Loretta Brenner at LKBrenner@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  9. kctSeptember 18, 2015 at 1:12 PM

    I'd love your talking points too!!! kterpstra@surreychristian.com Love the idea!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Megan WernerNovember 12, 2017 at 12:21 PM

    Hi! Would I be able to get your talking key points too? My first graders are drawing portraits of their grandparents for "Grandpal's Day" at our school and I need all the help I can get!

    meganmwerner@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. All QsSeptember 22, 2018 at 1:20 PM

    If you still have those facial features talking points, I'd love those too :-) anna.privette@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownNovember 9, 2018 at 2:11 PM

    Following...these are fantastic! So you draw simply the head. Could I as well have your talking points. Did they bring in photos or just go by their perception?

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownNovember 11, 2018 at 7:05 PM

    Came across this website, love the idea! Can I get a copy of the talking key points? jr.ang2015@gmail.com Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Artsy MamaFebruary 19, 2019 at 4:21 PM

    Hi!! I too would love to receive your talking "key points"! Thanks so much! These are so adorable!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)