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GRADES 3–5 · Whole Portraits · Simple Portraits

Soft and Sharp Edges: Keep the Important Lines

Name ____________________ Date __________

WHAT YOU WILL MAKE

Make a full study and a simplified version with only the essential lines. Focus on soft and sharp edges.

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

Vary edges to show focus and form.

Make a light observed study. Identify three contours or overlaps that communicate the form.
Draw the portrait plan lightly.
Select one sharp edge near your focal feature.
Soften another edge with lighter marks and compare their effects.
Redraw using only those essential marks. Omit texture and reduce shading; ask a partner what remains clear.

Watch out → Try this

Common drawing problem: Every edge equally dark

Repair: Reserve strong edges for a few important places.

Check your work: Which removed details were unnecessary? Which line could you not remove?

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

Soft and Sharp Edges: Keep the Important Lines · Practice page

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

1 · Warm-up: Soft and Sharp Edges

2 · First plan

3 · Revise one choice

4 · Independent application

My evidence: Which removed details were unnecessary? Which line could you not remove?

I changed __________________ because I noticed __________________.

My next practice goal: __________________________________________________

Teach this handout · 30–45 minutes

Prepare: Choose a clear reference showing soft and sharp edges. 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 draw the portrait plan lightly. Then deliberately show this drawing problem: every edge equally dark. Think aloud as you repair it: Reserve strong edges for a few important places.

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.