Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
My Object Portrait Page: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 8
- ForYear 8
- StageKey Stage 3
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
My Object Portrait Page is a free printable art worksheet for Year 8 (ages 12 to 13). Children draw four objects that say who they are: one linked to a memory, one they are grateful for, one they use every day and one from a favourite place. Then they check their work. It takes about 30 minutes.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages. Give page 1 to the child and keep page 2 for the adult. It needs only paper, a pencil and some real objects. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children choose real objects to match four prompts: a memory, something they are grateful for, something they use every day and something from a favourite place. They draw each one in its own box by looking at it, not from memory. There are lines for writing a caption. A checklist at the end asks them to check their shading, including at least three tones in one box, and to show the texture of one object.
- An object linked to a memory
- An object I am grateful for
- An object I use every day
- An object from a favourite place
- I drew each object by looking at it, not from memory
- I used at least three tones of shading in one box
- I showed the texture of one object
Getting ready to draw
Choose the objects
Ask your child to pick one real object for each prompt before drawing starts. Small, solid things work best. Choosing is part of the task, so talk about why each object fits.
Make a safe set up
Leave out anything sharp, hot, fragile or precious. An adult should decide what is suitable. Ordinary items such as a key, a mug, a toy or a shell are ideal.
Find good light
Sit near a window or lamp so the light comes from one side. One clear light direction makes the light and dark areas easier to see.
Gather pencils
A normal pencil is enough. A softer pencil and a rubber help with darker shading. Plain A4 paper is fine for the extra practice marks.
Why draw objects to show who you are?
Artists have long used objects to say something about a person or a place. A still life is a drawing or painting of objects that do not move, and the things chosen can hint at a life, a mood or a memory. Year 8 pupils often enjoy this idea because it lets them be personal without drawing a face. The choice of object matters as much as the drawing.
Observational drawing means looking closely and drawing what you see, not what you think an object looks like. Tonal shading shows how light or dark each part is, which gives an object a solid look. Texture can be suggested with marks, such as short lines for something rough or smooth blending for something glossy. Looking slowly is the main skill.
Choose objects that are safe to handle. An adult should leave out anything sharp, hot, breakable or precious, and should deal with any such item themselves.
Quick art facts
- Tone means how light or dark something is.
- A still life is an artwork that shows objects that stay still.
- Pressing gently with a pencil makes a lighter mark. Pressing harder makes a darker one.
- Pencils marked B are softer and make darker marks than pencils marked H.
- A cast shadow is the shadow an object throws onto the surface it sits on.
Skills and curriculum link
- Observational drawing
- Tonal shading
- Showing texture
- Personal expression
- Checking your own work
- Writing a caption
Ideas to help you guide the drawing
- Look before you drawAsk your child to study the object for a full minute first. Where does it start and stop? Which parts are widest? Looking carefully makes the first lines more accurate.
- Light and darkTone is a range from light to dark. Suggest making a small strip of marks, from the lightest to the darkest the pencil can make, before shading an object.
- TextureSurfaces feel different, such as rough, smooth, soft or shiny. Encourage different marks for different surfaces, such as dots, short lines or gentle blending.
- Choosing with careThe objects should mean something to the child. Ask open questions and listen. There are no wrong choices, only choices that are easier or harder to draw.
Key words
- ObservationLooking carefully at something real and drawing what you see.
- ToneHow light or dark a part of a drawing is.
- TextureHow a surface looks or feels, such as rough, smooth or fluffy.
- OutlineThe line around the edge of an object.
- CompositionThe way things are arranged on the page.
- Cast shadowThe shadow an object throws onto the surface it sits on.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the adult.
- Place four real objects nearby so pupils draw from observation. Allow about 30 minutes, then complete the checklist and caption.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2 and the answers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Let your child choose simple objects and draw only the main outline first. Then add one dark area of shading. Once that feels comfortable, add a lighter area next to it. Build up slowly, one box at a time.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to arrange the four boxes as a composition and add a cast shadow to each object. They should check that the shadows all fall in the same direction, because the light comes from one place.
Make it a game
Swap sheets with a partner. Each person guesses which memory or favourite thing each object stands for. Then the owner explains the real reason. Talk about which drawing details gave the best clues.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forThe child draws from memory or from a mental picture, so the object looks flat or wrong.
Try thisPut the real object in front of them. Ask them to look at it more than they look at the paper, and to check each line against it.
Watch forThe shading is all one tone, so the object looks flat.
Try thisMake a strip of light, medium and dark marks first. Then use all three in one part of the drawing, with the darkest where the light does not reach.
Watch forHeavy outlines make everything look the same.
Try thisStart with light lines that can be rubbed out. Let tone and texture do the work, and darken only the edges that need it.
Talk about it
- Why did you choose that object for your memory?
- What is the hardest part of the object to draw, and why?
- Where is the light coming from, and how can you tell?
- How did you show the texture of your object?
- If a friend only saw your four drawings, what would they learn about you?
- What would you change if you drew it again?
Take it off the page
Shade strip
Draw a long box and shade it smoothly from very light to very dark. Try with different pencils and different pressure.
Texture rubbings
Place thin paper over a rough surface, such as a doormat or tree bark, and rub gently with the side of a pencil. Compare how different surfaces look.
Story of an object
Tell a family member the story behind one of your objects. Then ask them to choose an object and tell theirs.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first object, then let them lead. Ask about their choices and listen. Praise careful looking and effort, not only a neat result. A calm space and a window with good light help.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing and gathering objects. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider art plan. It pairs well with a visit to a gallery, a book on still life or a walk to collect objects. Use it again for brothers and sisters, or to compare progress after a few weeks.
Where this fits in art learning
Before this sheet, children will have drawn simple shapes and objects, tried different pencil marks and begun to notice light and dark. Confident outlines and a feel for pressure make the shading in this sheet easier.
After it, pupils can try longer observational studies, draw more complex arrangements and explore ideas in their own sketchbooks. At Key Stage 3, drawing is used to record what you see and to develop your own ideas, and this sheet gives short practice in both.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is My Object Portrait Page for?
It is written for Year 8 (ages 12 to 13), in Key Stage 3. Younger children can try it with extra help, and older pupils can use the stretch idea on page 2.
- What will children practise?
Children practise observational drawing and tonal shading in art. They show memories and favourite things through personal objects, then use the checklist to review their own work.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 30 minutes. Page 2 has ideas for making it shorter with simple outlines, or longer with the stretch task. Children can also split it over two sittings.
- What if it feels too hard?
Let pupils choose simple objects and draw only the main outline first. Then add one dark area of shading. Small steps build confidence, and they can add more detail another day.
- Do children need real objects?
Yes. The sheet works best when children draw from observation, so they need real objects nearby. Everyday items are fine. An adult should leave out anything sharp, hot or fragile.
- Is it free, and do I need colour printing?
Yes, it is free to print for home and classroom use. No colour is needed. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper, and the drawing needs only a pencil.
- Can teachers and home educators use it?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or homework. Home educators and tutors can use it alone or in a wider art plan. It is a screen free printable.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.