Words in portraits
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand the power of typography in art, and how it can be used to tell our stories and form the design of a portrait.
Key learning points
- Artists use text in their work as a powerful tool to convey thoughts and feelings
- Typography can be added onto an art work, or be an artwork in its own right
- We can use typography to inform our art work and discuss our identity
Keywords
Typography - is the purposeful arrangement of type to enhance readability, communication and visual impact
Meaning - the message or idea that is communicated by something, whether it's words, images, or actions
Conceptual - art that is based on an idea or message, not just how it looks
Common misconception
Words don’t matter that much — it’s the drawing that tells the story.
Words can express things a face alone might not show — like beliefs, experiences, or emotions. The style of the text also adds meaning.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to read their chosen words or quotes aloud before adding them to their portrait. Hearing the words can help them think about tone, emotion, and how the visual style (font, size, placement) can match the feeling behind the words.
Equipment
A portrait or mirror for drawing from observation, pencils, fine liners, watercolours, brushes, glue sticks, scissors, collage materials, paper, printed fonts, quotes, and artist references.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a portrait traditionally used to show?
Q2.Text can add to an artwork by expressing emotion or a message.
Q3.Match the word to it's definition:
Speaking or acting out about a cause.
The message or idea that is communicated by something.
The way someone shows their thoughts, feelings, or ideas.
A powerful phrase or statement from someone.
Q4.A powerful often makes people think, and can inspire reflection or action.
Q5.What might a bold, large font suggest in a portrait?
Q6.What does "conceptual" mean in art?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why might an artist use different styles of typography in their work?
Q2.The word ' ' describes the message or idea that is communicated by something, whether it's words, images, or actions.
Q3.Artists sometimes use text as a form of , turning portraits into statements.
Q4.Which quote best reflects the power of creativity in young people?
Q5.How do words deepen the meaning of a portrait?
Q6.Which statement is most accurate?
To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: Words in portraits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: Words in portraits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 art and design lessons from the Identity: exploring portraiture unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.