Drawing a Memory: Brianna Rose Brooks

Overview

In this lesson, you’ll create a drawing inspired by a special moment or memory. You’ll look closely at the artwork of Brianna Rose Brooks, an artist who draws every day to reflect on their life.

Grade Level

3-5

Media

Drawing

Teaching Guide

Materials and Tools

2 pieces of paper 
Pencil 
Colored pencils or watercolors

Activities

Close Looking: Brianna Rose Brooks

Guiding Questions:
How can we capture or remember important moments from our everyday lives?

Let’s look closely at a drawing by Brianna Rose Brooks for inspiration.

Brianna Rose Brooks, untitled, 2023, gouache, colored pencil, crayon, watercolor on paper, 19.5 x 25.5 in

Questions for Discussion or Reflection:

What do you notice first about this artwork?
Why do you think that part feels important in the drawing? Is it because of the color, size, or detail?
How do you think the person in the artwork is feeling? What do you see in their body or face that gives you clues?
Have you ever had a moment that felt important just to you? What was it like?

This is one of many drawings that Brianna Rose Brooks makes every day—like a journal, but in pictures.

Why do you think an artist might want to draw something from their life every day?
How could that help them remember what felt important or how they felt?

Brianna Rose Brooks is an American artist whose work expresses themes of Black representation, love, and vulnerability. Their drawings and paintings often begin in a private space, like a diary or sketchbook, and are later shared with others in public spaces, such as galleries and museums.

Planning Your Drawing

Your drawing will help you remember or show others what felt important about a moment from your life. Think about what made the moment stand out.

Was it something you noticed? Something you did?
How did you feel during that moment-calm, excited, proud, surprised?

Think of a building that is important to you.

What kind of building is it? (home, restaurant, church, store, library)
Why is this place important to you?

Drawing the Figure

First, lightly sketch yourself on your paper thinking about the prompts below.

Think about how your body position can show your feelings.
- In your memory, were you sitting quietly, standing tall, or moving quickly?
- What would someone notice about your body if they saw you in that moment?
- Try acting it out or using a mirror to see what that position looks like.
How can your facial expression show how you were feeling?
- To notice how our facial features change when we make different expressions, use a mirror or this resource.
You can practice poses or facial expressions on your second piece of paper before you begin.

Adding Details

Next, let’s show more about this memory.

What details do you remember most clearly from the moment?
Were there any textures or patterns that stood out?

Color and Contrast

Now let’s use color and contrast to show what felt important about your memory.

You can make certain parts stand out by changing how they look compared to the rest of the drawing.

Exaggerate, or make something bigger, to show that it is important.
Add more details-like patterns, lines, or texture.
Use a color that you don’t use anywhere else.
Leave the background light colored or simple.

Continue to build up color slowly to finish your drawing, noticing how each part adds to the mood and meaning of your drawing.

Reflection

Look at your drawing. Think about the following questions or share them with a friend or family member.

What moment did you choose to show?
What part of your drawing is the most important?
What feeling did you want others to understand?
What did you do in your drawing to help show that feeling?

Resources

For more inspiration, explore Brianna Rose Brooks’ artwork in Morning Pages at the Ruby/Dakota Gallery in New York City or on their website from March 20 – May 10, 2025.

Credits

Written By:
Andrea Burgay, Director of Digital Learning