This value drawing lesson is inspired by Alexander Gardner's 1865 photo of Abraham Lincoln. Students will pose for their photo and use it as a reference for their value drawing. Then add black and white text and articles into the negative space to reflect what they value.

1. Looking older than his 55
years, Lincoln seemed more
like a regular person than a
president in his dark suit,
white shirt, and crooked
bowtie. Alexander Gardner,
known for his candid
photographs, did nothing to
flatter the president’s haggard
features. Instead, he let
Lincoln’s expression reveal his
weary and worried
countenance during the last
long weeks of the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln, Pres., U.S., 1809-1865
Artist: Alexander Gardner
Date: 1865
Alexander Gardner (1821–1882), Abraham
Lincoln, Pres., U.S., 1809-1865. April 10, 1865.
Photographic print. Prints and Photographs
Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

6. Project:
Combine your
value drawing in the
style of Abraham
Lincoln’s Portrait
with text about
your values in the
negative space.

7. First step: pose for your portrait photo.
You need to imitate Lincoln’s pose for the drawing lesson.

8. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

9. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

10. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

11. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

12. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

13. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

14. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

15. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

16. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

17. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

18. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

19. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

20. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

21. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

22. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

23. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

24. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

25. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

26. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

27. Let’s begin our sketch based on Lincoln’s portrait.
Your photo will be your guide for the details later.

28. Use your photo to add the details.

29. Look for the lights and darks in your photograph.
Lightly shade your portrait to create value.

30. Look for the lights and darks in your photograph.
Lightly shade your portrait to create value.

31. Look for the lights and darks in your photograph.
Lightly shade your portrait to create value.

32. Look for the lights and darks in your photograph.
Lightly shade your portrait to create value.

33. Now go back and add more contrast.

34. Find newspaper articles and black and white text that describe
you and what you value. Add this to the negative space.

35. Find newspaper articles and black and white text that describe
you and what you value. Add this to the negative space.

36. Find newspaper articles and black and white text that describe
you and what you value. Add this to the negative space.

37. What do you
value?
Reflect on what
your
art work is
saying about you?

38. Resources:
Gettysburg Address
A House Divided
Alexander Gardner
American Civil War
Alexander Gardner
Library of Congress Images American, Maryland, October 2, 1862
Albumen print
Abraham Lincoln Association