The Art of the Portrait · Spring Term

Self-Expression and Identity

Creating self-portraits that use symbolic objects and colors to represent personality beyond physical appearance.

About This Topic

In Year 7 Art and Design, self-expression and identity invites students to create symbolic self-portraits that capture personality through objects, colors, and backgrounds, rather than literal faces. Pupils select items from their life stories, such as a football for passion or blue tones for calm, and consider how backgrounds shape the narrative. This work meets KS3 standards in creative expression and contextual studies, addressing key questions on inner representation and artistic choices.

Students analyse portraits by artists like Frida Kahlo, who wove personal symbols into her work, or Cindy Sherman, who plays with identity through settings. These studies build visual literacy, encourage reflection on self, and link personal experiences to broader art contexts. Pupils gain skills in narrative composition and confident storytelling through visuals.

Active learning benefits this topic greatly. Hands-on tasks like collecting personal objects and iterative sketching make identity exploration personal and immediate. Peer sharing and critique circles refine ideas collaboratively, helping shy students voice their stories while deepening class understanding of symbolism.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze how specific objects and colors in a self-portrait symbolize personal traits and experiences.
• Create a symbolic self-portrait that represents inner identity without depicting a literal face.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of an artist's background choices in communicating the narrative of a portrait.
• Synthesize personal narrative elements into a visual composition using symbolic representation.

Before You Start

Elements and Principles of Art

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of elements like color and principles like composition to effectively use them symbolically.

Observational Drawing

Why: While not drawing literal faces, students benefit from prior practice in observing and translating forms into drawings, which aids in representing symbolic objects.

Key Vocabulary

Symbolism	The use of objects, colors, or images to represent abstract ideas or qualities beyond their literal meaning.
Iconography	The visual images and symbols used in a work of art, and the interpretation of their established meanings.
Narrative Composition	Arranging elements within an artwork to tell a story or convey a sequence of events or ideas.
Personal Iconography	Symbols that hold unique and personal meaning for an individual, often related to their life experiences or identity.

Active Learning Ideas

Mind Mapping: Personal Symbols

Students list five personality traits and brainstorm linked objects or colors on paper. They draw branching mind maps with quick sketches. Pairs swap maps to suggest additions, then refine individually.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Object Hunt: Life Story Items

Pupils bring or find classroom objects representing life events, like a family photo or hobby tool. In groups, they arrange items into compositions and photograph setups. Discuss symbolic meanings before sketching.

⏱ 35 min·Small Groups

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Artist Analysis: Background Walk

Display prints of symbolic portraits. Students walk the gallery, noting background choices and narratives in notebooks. Whole class shares three insights, then apply to own sketches.

⏱ 30 min·Whole Class

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Layered Portrait Build: Symbol Layers

Start with background wash for mood, add symbolic objects in layers, finish with color accents. Students test compositions on scrap paper first. Individual work with optional pair check.

⏱ 45 min·Individual

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Real-World Connections

Museum curators at the National Portrait Gallery in London select and interpret symbolic elements in portraits to tell the stories of significant individuals from history and contemporary life.

Graphic designers create logos and branding for companies, using specific colors and shapes as symbols to represent a company's values and identity to its audience.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Portraits must include a face to represent the self.

What to Teach Instead

Symbolic portraits use objects and colors for inner identity. Group brainstorming reveals diverse symbols, shifting focus from literal to abstract representation. Active sharing helps students see valid alternatives.

Common Misconception

Symbols can be any random objects.

What to Teach Instead

Effective symbols carry personal meaning tied to life stories. Sketching trials and peer feedback guide students to deeper connections. This process builds intentionality through iteration.

Common Misconception

Backgrounds are unimportant fillers.

What to Teach Instead

Backgrounds set the narrative tone and context. Analysing artist examples in walks clarifies their role. Collaborative discussions reinforce how choices influence viewer interpretation.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Students will select one object they included in their symbolic self-portrait and write two sentences explaining its personal meaning and how it represents their identity. They will then identify one color used and explain its symbolic significance.

Peer Assessment

Students display their symbolic self-portraits. In pairs, they discuss: 'What is one object that tells a story about your partner?' and 'What is one color that communicates a feeling or trait?' Partners provide one specific suggestion for enhancing the symbolism.

Quick Check

Teacher circulates during sketching. Ask students: 'How does this object represent you without showing your face?' and 'What is the narrative you want your background to communicate?'

Frequently Asked Questions

What artists should I study for symbolic self-portraits in Year 7?

Frida Kahlo uses personal symbols like monkeys for vulnerability and thorny vines for pain. Cindy Sherman explores identity through costumes and settings. Tracey Emin incorporates everyday objects in installations. Show varied examples to inspire, with guided questions on symbol choices and emotional impact. This contextual study sparks pupil creativity while meeting KS3 standards.

How can active learning help students with self-expression in portraits?

Active approaches like object hunts and peer critiques make identity tangible. Students handle personal items, sketch iteratively, and receive feedback, building confidence to share inner selves. Collaborative mind mapping uncovers shared themes, while gallery walks connect personal work to artists. These methods turn reflection into dynamic growth, essential for creative expression.

Ideas for assessing symbolic self-portraits?

Use rubrics for symbol relevance, color mood effectiveness, and background narrative. Peer assessment sheets note strengths in representation. Self-reflections explain choices against key questions. Portfolios with process sketches show development. This holistic approach values personal voice alongside technical skills, aligning with KS3 progression.

How to start symbolic portrait lessons without faces?

Begin with mind maps linking traits to symbols, then object hunts. Introduce artist analyses focusing on non-facial elements. Provide prompts like 'five objects from your week.' Scaffold with templates for composition. These steps build from personal to artistic, ensuring all pupils engage confidently from lesson one.