Baseline Assessments in Drawing

Before learning about traditional portrait drawing techniques, students in my courses create a totally uninfluenced portrait drawing of their reflection in a mirror.  This is saved until approximately one week later when it is compared to a final portrait that demonstrates their learning about portrait proportions, expression, and shading.  By comparing their original drawing to the more developed and refined drawing, students understand the implications of their left and right brain thinking and are able to see their skills take shape.