World Animal Day / Animal Portrait Gallery
Animal Portrait Gallery
Children draw or paint a close-up portrait of an animal from a photo, focusing on eyes, fur, feathers or scales, then hang them as a gallery with a caption about the animal.
How to run it
- Print a range of clear, close-up animal photos, including Australian wildlife, farm animals and pets.
- Show simple techniques for fur, feathers and scales, such as short strokes, overlapping curves and stippling.
- Have children choose a photo and sketch lightly before adding colour.
- Ask each artist to write a caption with the animal's name and one fact.
- Hang the portraits and hold a short gallery walk.
You will need
- printed animal photos
- drawing paper
- pencils
- coloured pencils, pastels or watercolours
Make it easier or harderYounger children can colour over a traced outline; older children can try a grid method to scale up the photo.
My Time Our Place · Outcome 1, Outcome 5Children express their interests through art and share information about their chosen animal.
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