New
New
Year 9

Words in portraits

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.

New
New
Year 9

Words in portraits

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.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artists use text in their work as a powerful tool to convey thoughts and feelings
  2. Typography can be added onto an art work, or be an artwork in its own right
  3. 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.


To help you plan your year 9 art and design lesson on: Words in portraits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

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

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a portrait traditionally used to show?
A strong belief in something
Correct answer: Facial expression and identity
A set of rules to follow in daily life
A temporary feeling or mood
Q2.
Text can add to an artwork by expressing emotion or a message.
Correct Answer: meaning, voice, depth, context, understanding
Q3.
Match the word to it's definition:
Correct Answer:protest,Speaking or acting out about a cause.

Speaking or acting out about a cause.

Correct Answer:meaning,The message or idea that is communicated by something.

The message or idea that is communicated by something.

Correct Answer:expression,The way someone shows their thoughts, feelings, or ideas.

The way someone shows their thoughts, feelings, or ideas.

Correct Answer:quote,A powerful phrase or statement from someone.

A powerful phrase or statement from someone.

Q4.
A powerful often makes people think, and can inspire reflection or action.
Correct Answer: quote, message, statement
Q5.
What might a bold, large font suggest in a portrait?
Whispering
Silence
Correct answer: Strength or urgency
Shyness
Q6.
What does "conceptual" mean in art?
Colourful and bright
Completely abstract shapes
Correct answer: Based on ideas and meaning
A cartoon style

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Why might an artist use different styles of typography in their work?
To confuse the viewer
Correct answer: To match the meaning and mood
To decorate empty space
To copy graffiti
Q2.
The word ' ' describes the message or idea that is communicated by something, whether it's words, images, or actions.
Correct Answer: meaning, concept
Q3.
Artists sometimes use text as a form of , turning portraits into statements.
Correct Answer: protest, communication, expression
Q4.
Which quote best reflects the power of creativity in young people?
Make more signs.
Correct answer: Art makes children powerful.
Be good at drawing.
Only adults can make change.
Q5.
How do words deepen the meaning of a portrait?
They show off handwriting
They add background detail
Correct answer: They let the subject or artist speak
They fill empty space
Q6.
Which statement is most accurate?
All words look the same in art
Words should be neat and small
Correct answer: Words have personality
Only pictures can show emotion

Additional material

Download additional material