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Since of the time of Ancient Greece, artists have been inspired to create portraits of heroes and heroines. Statues and monuments in city parks and plazas remind us of those who have shaped our history as do painted portraits of heroes and heroines that hang in many museums and public buildings. In this project, you will consider the meaning of "hero," see a few portraits of heroes and heroines, and then create a portrait of your own personal hero or heroine.

Materials You Need: 12x18 inch white paper; crayons or cray-pas. A photograph of someone you admire may be helpful.

Getting Started: Before you begin drawing, think about the word hero and what it means to you. What makes someone a hero? What qualities does a hero possess? Make a list of words and phrases about heroes on a sheet of paper (e.g., brave, unselfish, helpful, courageous, strong, daring, risk-taker, admirable, etc.,). Think of people who have become famous in history because of their heroic acts.

Look at the following portraits of two famous American Presidents who are considered heroes. Notice how each artist portrays his subject.

Here are two more famous Americans known for their heroic acts:

  • Paul Revere by John Singleton Copley (@ the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston).
  • Rosa Lee Parks. (See a sculpture of Rosa Lee Parks by Marshall Rumbaugh at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.)

Think about people from your community who engage in heroic acts everyday (e.g., people risking their lives to put out fires or rescue others, someone who fights for the rights of others, someone who engages in unselfish acts, someone who shows courage in their daily lives).

The Activity: Create a portrait of someone you consider a personal hero or heroine. Before you begin, think about how you want to portray this person (e.g., in a bust-length or full-length pose or as engaged in a heroic act?) and what you will include in the background to complement his or her portrait.

  • Working on a large sheet of white paper, draw a picture of your personal hero or heroine (in contour form) with a black crayon or cray-pa.
  • Once your outline drawing is completed, fill in the shapes and forms on the page using bold, rich colors. Try to blend the colors to make the forms look three-dimensional.
  • When your picture is finished, sign, date, and title it in the bottom right-hand corner. On an index card, write a short explanation of who is shown in your picture and why you consider this person a hero or heroine.
  • Display your picture with its explanation in your classroom or home so that others can admire your work.

Want To Do More?
Check out the The Giraffe Project which celebrates people who "stick their necks out" for others and the My Hero website. If you're looking for more to do, read Faith Ringgold's illustrated book Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky (1992) that tells the story of Harriet Tubman who helped 100s of men, women, and children escape slavery in 19th century America.