Principles of art: proportion
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create a drawing using proportions and distort them for effect.
Key learning points
- Proportion in Western art is the size and relation of different parts in a piece of art to each other
- Western ideas of proportion can aid in drawing mathematically and accurately, but they can embed ideas of the 'norm'
- Rules of proportion change depending on the culture
- We can play with proportion to create new ways of looking at a subject
Keywords
Proportion - the way different sized elements relate to each other
Stylised - drawn or made in a special way that changes how it usually looks, to fit a certain style.
Stereotype - a simple (and often incorrect) idea or image of what all people from a particular group are like.
Common misconception
Proportions are set rules and always apply
Proportions are relative to the unique form you are observing. They relate to the different sizes of the different parts but may be different for each person, place or object
Teacher tip
It is important to draw out the differences between Western and non-Western methods of proportion. Avoid descriptions of 'ideal' proportions and reference differences when discussing Western approaches to proportion.
Equipment
Pencil, paper, glue, scissors, magazines, ruler, rubber
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does a portrait usually show?
Q2.Scale in art means ...
Q3.How do you compose an image?
Q4.Adjusting the scale of an artwork can ...
Q5.Who is the audience for art?
Q6.What do we call a collage assembled out of photographs?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does proportion refer to in art?
Q2.What is a distorted portrait?
Q3.Match the term to its definition.
Made in a way that changes how it looks, usually for effect
Oversimplified idea about groups, often incorrect
Individual characteristics
Artwork that depicts a person
Size relationships between parts
Q4.How might an artist alter an image to create a stylised effect?
Q5.Which definition describes proportion?
Q6.How can distorted features change perceptions of beauty?
To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: Principles of art: proportion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 art and design lesson on: Principles of art: proportion, 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.
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