There are many wonderful experiences and resources from which to create innovative and dynamic works of art. It is important to remember that students don't always have these skills and experiences. It is up to the teacher to provide in-depth prompts to inspire their students to master their technique, as well as the unique storytelling skills a portrait should provide. This article talks about the four Cs of creating a portrait--color, contrast, composition, and content. The author describes how to use these tools. (Contains 1 online resource.)