Second-year students
Unit of Learning - Mixed‑Media Surrealist Portraits.
Title – Facing our footprints
Students created a mixed‑media portrait inspired by Surrealism, drawing on themes of identity and our impact on the environment. They began by producing a series of sketches and collage studies, which served as their primary visual research for the final artwork. As part of this process, students learned the key measurements and proportions of the face, developing their drawing and painting skills through guided practice.
Using their collage studies as a starting point, students explored how surrealist artists combine unexpected objects, symbols and imagery to create dream‑like compositions. They then applied this thinking to their own portraits, blending realistic facial features with imaginative elements.
For the final piece, students worked in mixed media, combining acrylic paint, watercolour, pastels and collage materials to create a large‑scale portrait.

Sketchbook
Final Artifact








