Self Portraits

There are lots of cool ways to make self portraits with kids.  Often detaching the goal of realism helps kids feel more comfortable experimenting with shapes, colors, techniques, etc.  Here are a few different ideas to try:  (A lot of these are mine instead of the kids', for privacy)

Scratch art portraits

See how to make your own scratch art paper here!

Masks using fabric scraps, pipe cleaners, beads, and paper cone cups

It is VERY important to bring in good fabric scissors or else this will be a very frustrating project for the kids- most kids art room scissors are much too dull to cut effectively.  MAKE SURE TO PUT AWAY PIPE CLEANERS BEFORE YOU BRING OUT THE GOOD SCISSORS.  One snip can ruin a good pair!

These were so fun I'm putting in a bunch.  These are simpy tempera paint on black construction paper.

I think they look so cool!!

We tried to leave black space between paint sections to keep the colors looking vibrant.  

As I've mentioned before, adding in some element of an unusual or unfamiliar art supply can really inspire kids.  Here, I had them choose one word from a magnetic poetry set that they felt described them.  Then they drew the feelings that word game them and glued on the piece.

Last but not least, one of my favorites- Andy Warhol-inspired portraits!

Oh my. 

The kids LOVED these.  Take a picture of each child making a silly face.  Then print out 4 side-by-side copies of it in black and white on plain printer paper.  Then color over them with colored pencils!

The frame here is made out of scraps of discarded art.  We did this a lot, and it helped us remember to get as many uses out of a single sheet of paper as we could!  (We also read The Lorax at the beginning of each week to help us remember to conserve and recycle resources!)

Giant Peaches and Jellyfish

Dibs on that for a band name.

Nannying co-conspirator/ward and I had just finished reading James and the Giant Peach and were feeling inspired.  We made this giant peach out of paper mache over a balloon!  The base you see here is made of a cylinder of recycled cardboard, and is for drying and painting purposes.

Though we had initially planned to make a fun mobile with birds carrying the peach with strings, it was logistically overwhelming and one of us (!) was anxious to move on to other things.  So after enjoying the peach in all its glory for a few weeks, we cut it in half...

And made 2 jellyfish!  We punched holes around the perimeter with scissors and stuffed strips of different-sized bubble wrap into them.  Crepe paper is also fun, as well as that shimmery foam packing material that comes in sheets.  For added fun, cut 2 eye holes about 2 inches from the bottom and wear it as a hat!  The tentacles will trail behind the kids as they run and dance, plus they look freaking adorable.  I have pictures of this from when I used to teach art, and will post them one day.  For now, just take my word for it.

This jellyfish lived in a lamp for a little while, but these also look fun hung on a string from the ceiling.  The tentacles move in the breeze!