Designed for students aged 14–16 (UK Key Stages 4 / Years 10–12), but adaptable for other ages.
Learning objectives
Observe light and tone to create a portrait.
Portray expression by looking at the work of Frans Hals.
Learning outcomes
Three studies of Franz Hals.
One sustained portrait using a charcoal ground.
You will need
Three small sheets of paper
One large sheet of paper
Charcoal
Eraser
Jerome McDonaldJoy’s Imperfection
Akilah ChambersHesitation
Exercise 1
In a mirror pretend you are an actor and pose in very exaggerated poses. These may be screaming, crying or laughing hysterically. Look at how these exaggerated expressions change your face.
While posing create three small studies of each expression. Try to capture the same energy of your pose.
Exercise 2
You will prepare a charcoal ground following these instructions.
Lay your sheet of paper flat on a surface. Cover the page with a light layer of charcoal, use the side of the charcoal stick and apply even pressure across the whole page. Next rub the charcoal into the page evenly and gently either with your hand or a paper towel. Do not rub it in too hard or make the ground too dark. You should be left with a light grey tone.
Exercise 3
For your final sustained drawing choose a dramatic expression you can hold for a long period of time. Use the charcoal ground to allow you to create both darker and lighter tones. Play with the rubber and charcoal to create a face that feels three dimensional, but most importantly capture the life of your expression.
