My two students are learning the concept of drawing studies in preparation of their final piece of work, which is a self-portrait. This will be their first time to visit the National Portrait Gallery and their second venture into the world of art.

The trip was centred on displays that were free to experience. These displays included:

Antony Gormley
Object (1999) installation
Fall (1999) a selection of drawings

Picasso (1881-1973)
Spotlight

A Century of Photography (1840-1940)
27 portraits

Late Victorian Britain: Cultural Pioneers
Small intimate oil and watercolour portraits of a mixture of well known and not so well known people. The display is of a mixture of studies and more finished pieces.

At The Despatch Box: Gladstone in Action
This is a display of illustrations drawn by politician artists who were employed to document parliamentary proceedings.

Lue Tuymans
Glasses
A display of portraits of sitters wearing glasses.

Upon entering the gallery on February 11, 2017, we first encountered Antony Gormley’s work. Once we walked through his display of work, the girls then dashed to another area that was not on the list. This thrilled me as it was wonderful to see how they were drawn into the artwork with their sketchbooks in hand they started drawing!

When we had finished our planned tour, we then went to the portrait explorer so the girls could have an opportunity to access more detailed information about the work.

It was another successful and enjoyable experience shared by the girls, a mum and a tutor!