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GRADES 3–5 · Proportion · Whole Portrait Challenge

Space Between the Eyes: 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 space between the eyes.

Shared feature reference for Proportion — 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

Compare the gap to the eyes you observe.

Practice the focus once in a small box. Plan a larger head-and-shoulders drawing, choosing observed or original cartoon style.
Place the first eye lightly.
Estimate the gap using that eye as a comparison unit.
Place the second eye and adjust against the reference.
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: Assuming every gap is identical

Repair: Use the reference rather than a fixed rule.

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.

Space Between the Eyes: 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: Space Between the Eyes

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: __________________________________________________

Teach this handout · 30–45 minutes

Prepare: Choose a clear reference showing space between the eyes. The shared illustration introduces the feature only; supply a matching mirror view or teacher-approved photo when the exact pose, accessory, or hairstyle is not pictured.

Demonstrate: Model place the first eye lightly. Then deliberately show this drawing problem: assuming every gap is identical. Think aloud as you repair it: Use the reference rather than a fixed rule.

5 minutes noticing, 5 demonstrating, 15–25 drawing and revising, 5 sharing. Collect the practice page and a specific explanation of one change. Evaluate the target skill and revision—not attractiveness or speed.

Grade	Support and challenge
3	Use a large feature study and one observed change. Supply page divisions and model the first landmark. Two trials are enough before application.
4	Complete the listed sequence. Compare two versions and label the contour, proportion, or overlap that changed.
5	Use an unfamiliar reference or second viewpoint after mastering the first. Explain which choices should stay consistent when simplifying or exaggerating.

Offer adapted grips, larger spaces, extra time, or a spoken reflection. Use fictional characters for deliberate distortion; do not mock classmates or stereotype identities. Obtain consent before drawing a peer. Proportion guides are comparisons, not rules for all faces.