Before creating these observational portraits of artists, whose work we explored in class during cultural heritage months, students were guided step by step how to recreate the basic proportions in the human face. In the face proportion practice, students add imaginary individual characteristics. After the practice run, students are introduced to the artwork of Wendy Red Star, Jeffrey Gibson, Kehinde Wiley, and Faith Ringgold in recognition and celebration of Native American Heritage Month (November) and Black History Month (February). Students then choose an artist portrait to draw (Wendy Red Star, Jeffrey Gibson, Faith Ringgold, or Kehinde Wiley). Students start out with the basic face proportion guidelines (up to step 8) and then adjust and add the individual characteristics that they observe in the reference photo. Students employ value techniques such as the use of a blending stump, tissue or finger to get subtle values and ebony pencil to get very dark values. This lesson is vital for students to learn in preparation for the Piece 1-3 portfolio requirement for art high school auditions. I’ve also done this project with students for Hispanic Heritage Month (artists: Salvador Dali, Doris Salcedo, Frida Kahlo, and  Jean-Michel Basquiat) and AAPI Month (artists: Yayoi Kusama, Isamu Noguchi, Ai Weiwei, and Maya Lin). Artist Portraits is an excellent art project for middle school because it thoughtfully integrates portrait drawing, cultural heritage, observational skills, and portfolio preparation, making it both academically rigorous and culturally meaningful.