Year 4 Art Lesson 5 – Week Beginning 1st June 2020
Time for Portraits!
In a previous lesson, you created your own portrait in the style Picasso. Today, you’ll be creating your
own portrait in the style of the Ancient Egyptians!
DID YOU KNOW…?
Did you know Ancient Egyptians art stayed the same for nearly 3000 years?
When the Egyptians drew human figures, they had consistency (same things) about them. They also used
hieroglyphics. This was the Ancient Egyptian writing system. Next lesson we’ll look at these in more detail. But
for now, take a look below to understanding more about Egyptian art…
CANON OF PROPORTIONS
Bodies were drawn using the same mathematical lengths, called the
canon of proportions. That’s why most Ancient Egyptian people look
the same in art. They based on what they thought was most beautiful
and pleasing!
TWISTED PERSPECTIVE
Egyptian artists relied on multiple viewpoints to give
the clearest picture. Most Egyptian figures were
painted from the side view. The EYES
and the TORSO were painted at as though they were
seen from the front. This is called twisted perspective
because we are showing multiple viewpoints at the
same time. All the Egyptians did it!
HIERARCHICAL SCALE
They Egyptians used what is called "hierarchical scale" to show
the relative importance of people. According to Ancient Egyptian
art, the most important people are the largest, say the pharaoh
or the gods, while the servants or children would be much
smaller!
SYMBOLS
Even though most Egyptian citizens could not read writing, they
could recognise and understand symbols. These featured in hieroglyphics, as well as images and
pictures. They typically relate to the gods, life, love and death.
YOUR TASK
Design your own Egyptian Portrait.
This can either be using your own face (use a mirror) or a replica of one of the images
below. Don’t forget to draw the eye as though you are looking at it from the front.
Everything else should be a side view.
Add symbols to your portrait. There are some below to choose from. Don’t forget to check
their meaning.