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Lesson Plans

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Non-Traditional Self-Portraits

Students will express themselves by creating a non-traditional self-portrait.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Steps

  • Step 1

    Creating a self-portrait is an introspective art form and can lead to a heightened sense of self-awareness. Some artists choose to represent themselves in non-traditional ways. Have students look at some examples by famous artists. You might show the progression of self-portraits created by Pablo Picasso over the years, Frida Kahlo's "Diego in My Thoughts" (1943), or Andy Warhol's "Self-Portrait" (1978). Ask students to think about how non-traditional representations can give greater insight into the subject. Then ask them what images and materials they would use to create a self-portrait that communicates who they are.

  • Step 2

    Have students create a non-traditional self-portrait. They might choose to illustrate themselves using images that describe their interests and personality. Or they might cut their features out of different colors of construction paper and arrange them in a whimsical way.

  • Step 3

    Ask students not to write their names on their art. Display the self-portraits on a bulletin board and have the class try to identify which portrait goes with which student. 

Standards

ARTS: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.  

SEL: Self-Awareness: Identify personal, cultural, and linguistic assets as well as personal interests that lead to a sense of purpose. 

Adaptations

Have students write an artist's statement to accompany their self-portrait. This is a piece of writing that helps people understand an artist's vision and creative ideas and tells an audience who you are.

Challenge students to create a continuous line self-portrait. This is a drawing done in one continuous line, without looking at the paper or lifting the writing implement. Students can look in a mirror while they draw what they see.