We are making a fun Picasso craft self-portrait collage using scrap paper, patterned scrapbook paper, old flyers, and packaging. Also, look at my page Free Art Units for more ideas.
If you’re looking for an art project that encourages creativity while introducing children to one of history’s most famous artists, a Picasso self-portrait collage is the perfect activity.
We’re using bold colors, silly facial features, and unexpected shapes to make artwork inspired by Pablo Picasso’s unique style.
This hands-on craft also provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about art history, self-expression, and the Cubist movement in a fun and age-appropriate way.
Pablo Picasso was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. He was born on October 25, 1881, in Málaga, Spain. His father was an art teacher, and Picasso began drawing and painting at a very young age. In fact, many stories say he could draw before he could even talk!
By the time he was a teenager, Picasso was already creating artwork that amazed professional artists.
Throughout his long life, he experimented with many different styles of art and created over 20,000 works, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, prints, and stage designs.
Too, look at some books about Picasso.
BOOKS ABOUT PICASSO FOR KIDS
We prefer living books when we can find them.
Add one or two to your home library.
5 Books About Pablo Picasso For Kids Who Love To Read And Be Read To
Add one or two of these fun books about the famous artist Pablo Picasso.
Simon Packard didn't always want to do his artist report on Pablo Picasso, but after his twin brother Stephen does a report on Monet-Simon's favorite artist-Simon chooses Picasso by default! Throughout, there are reproductions of Pablo Picasso's masterpieces as well as Simon's own drawings, and wonderful nuggets of info that will appeal to kids.
- gorgeous illustrations and reproductions of works by the artists
- a fun and educational story
- a perfect choice for homeschool supplies
Pablo Picasso may have been one of the most famous artists of the 20th century, but that doesn't mean he painted what people wanted him to paint! In fact, some people hated his paintings, and called them "ugly!" and "terrible!" -- something many kids can relate to. But Picasso didn't listen to all those people, and kept on working the way he wanted to work, until he created something so new, so different... that people didn't know what to say!
Examples of Picasso's paintings are reproduced in color and explained in easy-to-read text
Over a long, turbulent life, Picasso continually discovered new ways of seeing the world and translating it into art. A restless genius he went through a blue period, a rose period, and a Cubist phase. He made collages, sculptures out of everyday objects, and beautiful ceramic plates. True Kelley's engaging biography is a wonderful introduction to modern art.
Then look at fun facts about Picasso’s life.
FUN FACTS ABOUT THE LIFE OF PICASSO THE ARTIST
Picasso lived until 1973, leaving behind an incredible artistic legacy that continues to inspire artists around the world. Here are 7 fun facts about Picasso.
- Picasso completed his first painting when he was only about 9 years old.
- He created more than 20,000 works of art during his lifetime.
- Besides painting, he enjoyed making sculptures, pottery, prints, and even designing theater sets.
- His full birth name contained more than 20 names, making it one of the longest names of any famous artist.
- He lived in both Spain and France during his life.
- Many museums around the world display his artwork today.
- His paintings remain some of the most recognizable works in art history.
WHAT IS CUBISM
Picasso is best known for helping create the art movement called Cubism around 1907 with another artist named Georges Braque.
Cubism changed the way people think about art. Instead of painting things exactly as they appeared, Cubist artists broke them into simple geometric shapes like squares, triangles, circles, and rectangles. They often show several different viewpoints at the same time.
Imagine looking at someone’s face from the front and the side at once- that’s exactly the kind of creative thinking that Cubism encouraged. Faces might have one eye higher than the other, noses pointing sideways, or colorful sections that don’t match real life.
Children naturally enjoy this style because there are no strict rules. Every portrait becomes wonderfully unique.
One of the best things about studying Picasso is that kids learn that there isn’t just one “correct” way to make art. Picasso believed creativity was more important than perfection.
His most famous quote is “Every child is an artist.”
LEARNING ABOUT SELF PORTRAITS
A self-portrait is simply a picture an artist creates of themselves.
Creating abstract self-portraits also helps children to:
- Practice creative thinking
- Learn about shapes and colors
- Build fine motor skills while cutting and gluing
- Develop confidence in their artistic abilities
- Express their own personalities through art
Throughout history, artists have painted self-portraits to show how they looked, how they felt, or even to experiment with new artistic styles.
When making a Picasso-inspired self-portrait collage, children can think about their favorite colors, their eye color, their hairstyle, their personality, and fun patterns and designs that represent who they are.
Unlike realistic portraits, Picasso portraits celebrate imagination. One eye can be blue while the other is green. Hair can be purple, orange, or rainbow-colored. Faces can be divided into colorful sections using paper shapes.
PICASSO CRAFT IDEAS AND RESOURCES
- Picasso Art for Kids – Playdough Faces – Messy Little Monster
- Colorful Picasso Craft Ideas To Make: Free Printable for Little Hands
- Picasso Inspired Cardboard Art Project
- Free Meet The Masters Famous Artist Activity Sheets
- Cubism Painted Flowers
- Life of Pablo Picasso for Kids | Art History
- How to Make a Spanish Flamenco Craft & Spanish Craft Ideas
- Free Spain Lapbook for Kids Who Love Hands-on History
TAKE IT BEYOND AN ART LESSON
- Locate Spain on a world map and learn about its culture.
- Compare realistic portraits with Cubist portraits.
- Look for geometric shapes hidden in everyday objects.
- Practice drawing faces using only circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares.
- Create a family portrait using Picasso’s abstract style.
- Visit a virtual art museum to view famous Picasso paintings.
- Keep an art journal inspired by different famous artists.
- Learn new vocabulary words like portrait, collage, abstract, Cubism, artist, and geometric.
- Read a children’s biography about Pablo Picasso.
PICASSO CRAFT SELF-PORTRAIT COLLAGE WITH KIDS
Let’s truly turn trash into treasure with this self-portrait collage by gathering up colorful packaging, mail flyers, and more to create color and patterns.
You will need:
- Colorful scrap paper
- Pattern cardstock
- Old magazines
- Coupons
- Mailers/Flyers
- Food packages
- Scissors
- Glue stick
Start with a solid colored background.
Cut out a head and neck shape. We tried first with patterned paper, but the features got lost in it so we went back to a solid color.
Next, cut out hair, using your paper head as a guide for size.
Now for the really fun part: use your patterned papers and mail scraps to cut out features like eyes, nose, eyebrows, earrings, and hair, etc.
Encourage your child to add as much fun detail as they can, adding in accessories, makeup, exaggerated features or whatever they want to make it stand out.
Mix them up, use odd colors and patterns, put eyebrows askew; you will notice pepperoni pizza lips and strawberry earrings on ours.
Lay out your design and then glue everything into place once you are happy with it.
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