Self-confidence issues Mirror drawing

Lesson 10 of 10

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Mirror drawing

Comusyc June 12, 2023

Group size	5 participants
Time	60 minutes
Overview	As the participants work on their portraits, this activity should try to get them absorbed in the moment of creation. They should be reminded of their unique qualities. This activity should encourage participants to refrain from judging, as participants should be guided in noticing if these thoughts come up; these thoughts should not be ignored but also not indulged in. Participants should reflect on the miracle of being human and wish themselves peace in the enjoyment of being human.
Learning Objectives	To promote creativity To encourage refraining from judging To foster relaxation
Materials	A3-size paper Any materials you would like to create the self-portrait with (coloured pencils, oil pastels, charcoal, paint, etc.)
Preparation	Prepare the venue with the necessary material for the activity. You must decide if each participant will have their own mirror or if, in the room, there will be only one big mirror everyone will use. This will also determine if participants should sit around a table during the activity or if they can stay on the floor, and if they must stick together for the duration of the activity.
Implementation	The task is “to draw yourself”. Set up the mirror so the participants can see themselves clearly, making sure the mirror is large enough to allow for this. Make sure they are physically comfortable and strained to see their reflection. Begin by breathing. Let their eyes observe the light, shadow, form, texture, and lines of their features without judgement. They should try to view themselves like this since this is the first time they are seeing the image. Then they will begin by drawing the inside and working their way out (this will help them not misjudge the size of features, resulting in a squished face). They can play with duration and time intervals, giving themselves 2, 5, 10, or 20 minutes to complete the same exercise. Or, perhaps, making this a long-term project. The suggestion is, at least, to start out with a few quicker, short sketch warmups. This will help get the energy moving and keep them from obsessing over getting the details perfect.
Debriefing and evaluation	Questions to ask participants at the end of the activity: Can you express how your painting represents yourself? Was it difficult to look at yourself without judgement? Do you feel more connected with yourself after this activity? Questions to ask facilitators at the end of the activity: Do you think that through this type of activity, participants become more conscious of themselves? Do you think that drawing or painting one’s own portrait is effective in helping individuals refrain from judgement? What would you change or improve about this activity?
Other useful resources	Prismacolor (n.d.). “Self-Portrait Using Mirrors”. https://www.prismacolor.com/blog?cid=self-portraits-using-mirrors This article provides useful tips on how to create a self-portrait by using a mirror. These are mainly intended for professionals, but they could be useful in the case of the present activity as well, and they could be shared with the participants by the facilitator. Share and Remember (2020). “Preschoolers Can Draw Self Portraits”. https://www.thingstoshareandremember.com/preschoolers-can-draw-self-portraits/ Blog post of a teacher who performed the same activity with little kids. The article can provide sources of inspiration for what concerns the setting up of the venue, prompts and questions for the participants to stimulate their creativity, and the steps to follow for the implementation of the workshop. Wu, S. (2013). “Creating self portraits with your children”. News.com.au https://www.kidspot.com.au/parenting/things-to-do/creating-self-portraits-with-your-children/news-story/64df5f5467bb307ae459d6fbd17e76cf A first-hand experience of the same activity performed with children. This article could be interesting for the facilitator because they could learn from someone else’s experience, and it also provides ideas on how the activity could be expanded.