← PORTRAIT PRACTICE

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GRADES 3–5 · Hair · Whole Portrait Challenge

A Simple Braid: Use It in a Portrait

Name ____________________ Date __________

WHAT YOU WILL MAKE

Make a warm-up study and a head-and-shoulders portrait that uses the skill. Focus on a simple braid.

Shared feature reference for Hair
Shared feature reference. It may not show this task’s exact pose, accessory, or style. Use the teacher’s matching reference too.

Draw it step by step

Build a braid from alternating overlapping sections.

  1. Practice the focus once in a small box. Plan a larger head-and-shoulders drawing, choosing observed or original cartoon style.
  2. Draw a narrowing guide for the braid.
  3. Alternate short rounded sections from left and right.
  4. Erase hidden joins and add sparse directional marks.
  5. Use the practiced skill in the larger portrait. Keep other details simple; mark where the skill improved the final work.

Watch out → Try this

Common drawing problem: A chain of separate circles

Repair: Let alternating sections tuck behind one another.

Check your work: Where did the warm-up change a decision in your final portrait?

Materials: pencil, eraser, paper, and a mirror or teacher-approved reference. Optional black drawing pen; no painting required.

A Simple Braid: Use It in a Portrait · Practice page

Name ____________________ Make light trials first. Divide a box further if your task needs extra versions.

1 · Warm-up: A Simple Braid
2 · First plan
3 · Revise one choice
4 · Independent application

My evidence: Where did the warm-up change a decision in your final portrait?

I changed __________________ because I noticed __________________.

My next practice goal: __________________________________________________