← PORTRAIT PRACTICE

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GRADES 3–5 · Whole Portraits · Construction

Light from One Side: Plan It in Shapes

Name ____________________ Date __________

WHAT YOU WILL MAKE

Make one labeled shape plan and one drawing built from it. Focus on light from one side.

Shared feature reference for Whole Portraits
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

Organize a portrait into light and shadow groups.

  1. Divide the practice space in two. In the first half use only large guide shapes; label three useful landmarks.
  2. Plan the head and features.
  3. Choose the light side from the reference.
  4. Shade broad shadow areas before the darkest details.
  5. In the second half rebuild the subject using your plan, then remove guides that no longer help.

Watch out → Try this

Common drawing problem: Tiny details before big values

Repair: Squint at the reference and group the shadows first.

Check your work: Can you point to three landmarks that helped place the drawing?

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

Light from One Side: Plan It in Shapes · Practice page

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

1 · Warm-up: Light from One Side
2 · First plan
3 · Revise one choice
4 · Independent application

My evidence: Can you point to three landmarks that helped place the drawing?

I changed __________________ because I noticed __________________.

My next practice goal: __________________________________________________