Back – Painted Portraits
By Kate Gorely
In this post teacher Kate Gorely demonstrates how to create portraits using an effective back painted technique. A great activity to explore less traditional portraiture methods that is suitable for a wide range of primary age groups.
I used this session at the very beginning of a project on portraits. We found it very useful to really look at our faces and where our features are. Where abouts on our faces were our eyes and lips? Where are our eyes in relation to our ears? It also gave the children a boost in confidence in producing something original that looked like them. They were able to make choices in how they posed for the initial photograph, which colours they used and what texture added. The result was that each portrait was unique and personal.
This back painting technique could be used for other projects too – such as landscapes, illustrations and architectural drawings.
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Jo W
July 12, 2023 @ 1:12 pm
Hiya. This looks brilliant. Can you recommend an artist who might link to this style or portrait?
Rachel
July 12, 2023 @ 2:41 pm
Hi Jo, I wonder if a closer look at this new commission from the NPG would be an idea? Not identical in technique but along a similar line of enquiry: https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/reframing-narratives-women-in-portraiture/work-in-progress/. Please check full content before showing to a class though. Many thanks
Jo W
July 19, 2023 @ 11:05 am
Thank you. This is very helpful.
Laura R
July 6, 2024 @ 10:36 am
I recently did this with my year one class and they loved it! I will try and post the finished work. Thank you 🙂
Rachel
July 8, 2024 @ 1:19 pm
Hi Laura, that’s great to hear! Please do post some photos – we have a Facebook group you can do that on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/accessartnetwork