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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Amazing Face

A 14-day dive into portraiture

This free introduction to portraiture features 14 modules designed to banish boredom, manifest mindfulness, and conjure creativity!

Nick Cave, 1999 Howard Arkley
Nick Cave, 1999 Howard Arkley
Nick Cave, 1999 Howard Arkley

1. Spelunking

The artist-sitter relationship
Professor Penny Sackett, astronomer and physicist, 2011 Andrew Mezei
Professor Penny Sackett, astronomer and physicist, 2011 Andrew Mezei
Professor Penny Sackett, astronomer and physicist, 2011 Andrew Mezei

2. Penny drop

Keys to unlocking portraiture
Hera Roberts, 1936 Max Dupain
Hera Roberts, 1936 Max Dupain
Hera Roberts, 1936 Max Dupain

3. To the Max

Photographic portraiture and lighting
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily, 1993 Jenny Sages
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily, 1993 Jenny Sages
Emily Kame Kngwarreye with Lily, 1993 Jenny Sages

4. Sage advice

Background, setting and landscape
Joan Croll, 1976 John Brack
Joan Croll, 1976 John Brack
Joan Croll, 1976 John Brack

5. Back in Brack

Thinking about pose
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz, 1983 Harold Thornton
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz, 1983 Harold Thornton
Dr Brown and Green Old Time Waltz, 1983 Harold Thornton

6. Speak for the trees

Narrative and storytelling
Peter Sculthorpe, 1982 Eric Smith
Peter Sculthorpe, 1982 Eric Smith
Peter Sculthorpe, 1982 Eric Smith

7. The right note

Arrangement and composition
Wan Lan, Xini, Shen Jiawei and Billy, 2010 Greg Weight
Wan Lan, Xini, Shen Jiawei and Billy, 2010 Greg Weight
Wan Lan, Xini, Shen Jiawei and Billy, 2010 Greg Weight

8. Now and Shen

Practising slow looking
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, 2009 Guy Maestri
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, 2009 Guy Maestri
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, 2009 Guy Maestri

9. Strike a chord

Expression and mood
Marcia Langton, 2009 Brook Andrew, Trent Walter
Marcia Langton, 2009 Brook Andrew, Trent Walter
Marcia Langton, 2009 Brook Andrew, Trent Walter

10. Symbol crash

Identity and representation
Dadang Christanto, 2005 Hari Ho
Dadang Christanto, 2005 Hari Ho
Dadang Christanto, 2005 Hari Ho

11. From the (he)art

Personal history, culture and community
Quentin Bryce, 2016 Michael Zavros
Quentin Bryce, 2016 Michael Zavros
Quentin Bryce, 2016 Michael Zavros

12. Leading ladies

Presence and inspiration
Jessica Mauboy, 2018 David Rosetzky
Jessica Mauboy, 2018 David Rosetzky
Jessica Mauboy, 2018 David Rosetzky

13. Spirit level

Movement, soul, self
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester, 1939 Albert Tucker
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester, 1939 Albert Tucker
In the mirror: self portrait with Joy Hester, 1939 Albert Tucker

14. You-who

Self-portraiture

Related information

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King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
Fax +61 2 6102 7001
ABN: 54 74 277 1196

The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.