Teaching resource Liminal spaces and portals

This resource combines drawing the mundane and the extraordinary.
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Glanville-Myrtle_6
Key Stage

Designed for students aged 11–14 (UK Key Stage 3 / Years 7–9), but adaptable for other ages.

Learning objectives
  • Explore the idea of portals and liminal spaces as places where fantasy and reality meet, using visual examples and discussion.

  • Observe and draw from the real world, then transform those observations using imagination and fantasy.

  • Develop ideas through drawing by moving from reality, through a transitional “bridge” space, into a fantasy world.

Learning outcomes
  • Produce three related drawings:

    • one based on observed reality

    • one representing a transitional or liminal “bridge” space

    • one imagined fantasy space

  • Produce one final drawing that develops and combines ideas into a coherent fantasy world.

You will need
  • Large drawing paper (A3 recommended or larger)

  • Pencils (range of grades if available)

  • Colour drawing materials (e.g. coloured pencils, felt tips, crayons)

  • Eraser and sharpener

Martin_Juan_11
Juan Martin Zach's birthday
Powers-Will_2_CH
Will Powers Dog Man at the Villa

Exercise 1

What were you were doing just before class, or even earlier this week? Draw a moment that stuck out to you. Maybe it was brushing your teeth, eating lunch or even checking your phone. Is there a reason why you chose this moment? 

Exercise 2

Draw what you wish you had been doing. If there were no rules and you could do anything, what would your morning have looked like? How would this fantasy merge with the everyday feel of your first drawing?

Exercise 3

How would you get there? What would take you from reality into the fantasy world? Would it be a bridge, portal or door? How could this add to the fantasy of the story? 

Exercise 4

Finally, make one larger drawing that combines all these elements. This drawing should bring together reality, fantasy, and a transitional element. What imagery from the ordinary and the magical could you combine to make the most compelling scene? You could contrast black and white with colour to emphasise the different elements.