Follow our step-by-step guide to reading portraits, aimed at key stages 3-5. Learn to analyse how artists use different portrait elements, techniques and media to communicate mood, feelings and ideas by looking closely, and asking questions: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/how-to-analyse-a-portrait Description At first glance, a portrait can appear to simply be a picture of a person or people. But by looking closely, and asking analytical questions, portraits can tell us so much more. Portraits can tell us about: the artist’s practice the artist’s intention – why they chose to make the portrait in a particular way and what they are trying to say about the sitter the sitter – their identity and personality, how they are feeling or what they are known for. Follow our step-by-step guide to analysing portraits and see what more you can discover. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/how-to-analyse-a-portrait

Follow our key stage 2, step-by-step guide to reading portraits. Develop visual literacy skills looking for hidden clues in portraits to discover what they might tell us: https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/how-to-read-a-portrait Description The National Portrait Gallery is full of portraits of famous people. Some of them are paintings, some are drawings. Others are photographs or sculptures. Some were made hundreds of years ago. Others are brand new. But all of them are artworks of people. If we look at portraits really closely, they can tell us all sorts of things about the person (or people) in the picture. A portrait can tell us about: how they’re feeling their job or their hobby their family background or religion whether they are young or old whether they are rich or poor and so much more. Portraits can also tell us about the different ways artists make portraits or what life was like in the past. Follow our step-by-step guide to help you look for clues in portraits and discover what they might tell us. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/how-to-read-a-portrait

How can a pizza box improve your photography? Find out how to create wonderful photographic portraits using everyday items. Photographer Gisela Torres uses portraits to examine some of the decisions photographers make before they press the shutter button, and asks how their choices affect their portraits. She shares her top tips on lighting, composition and perspective, offering practical ideas for you to use in your own portrait photography. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/artist-demonstration-how-to-create-a-photographic-portrait You will need: Camera or camera phone Source of light Reflector Tripod or stack of books A sitter to photograph

Realistic eyes can bring a portrait to life but can be tricky to draw. Follow artist Robin-Lee Hall as she gives step-by-step instructions and top tips on how to draw an eye. She uses her knowledge of anatomy and artists’ techniques to take the mystery out of making a realistic drawing that is full of life. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/artist-demonstration-how-to-draw-an-eye You will need: Paper Soft pencil or charcoal Reference portrait or mirror Putty rubber Pencil sharpener

Take inspiration from Pop artists who stuck all sorts of pictures and objects onto their artwork. Artist Venessa Scott takes you on a special treasure hunt and shows you how to make a collage portrait that tells your story. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/artist-demonstration-how-to-create-a-storytelling-portrait-using-collage You will need: Paper A photograph of yourself Glue Scissors Printed or drawn images of objects that help to tell your story

Do you find mouths difficult to draw? Artist Robin-Lee Hall takes the frustration out of drawing a realistic mouth, step by step. She talks about observation skills, and demonstrates how she structures a drawing of a mouth, then adds detail and shading. She explains how to make the drawing realistic through an understanding of anatomy and perspective, and with the help of some reference images. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/artist-demonstration-how-to-draw-a-mouth You will need: Paper Soft pencil or charcoal Reference portrait or mirror Putty rubber Pencil sharpener

What is a portrait, and why is every portrait different? There are lots of different portraits of all sorts of different people in the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection. They were made by artists in all sorts of ways. In this video we look at lots of portraits, small and large, old and new, to explore what a portrait can be. https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/art-explainer-what-is-a-portrait Watch and discuss: Can you find any portraits in the room or building you are in? Have you ever made a portrait? Who was it a portrait of, and how did you make it? Has anyone ever made your portrait? Who made it and why?

Pop art is a style of art based on simple, bold and bright colours. Follow artist Venessa Scott as she shows you how to use simple materials to make your own artwork that really pops! https://www.npg.org.uk/schools-hub/artist-demonstration-how-to-make-a-simple-pop-art-portrait You will need: Paper Pencils A portrait to trace Light box or window and tape Crayons