
Learning to create portraits is an important stage in a young artist’s development. With the right classroom art lessons, children can quickly pick up the foundational techniques of proportion, features and expression. If you’re a parent or teacher looking to introduce portraiture to kids, there are many approaches you can take. Let’s consider some creative techniques that can make a big difference in a child’s creative journey.
How to Teach Kids About Portraiture
Portraiture helps kids develop observational skills, build empathy and exercise creative interpretation. As kids experiment with different styles and techniques, they learn new ways to portray faces and expressions.
Create Fun Abstract Faces
For children learning the basic concepts and techniques required in portraiture, it is helpful to focus on the process and not the end result. Abstract art is a good introduction, as kids don’t need to think about accuracy and precision. Instead, they can use color, shapes, exaggerated features, simple outlines and other approaches to represent a person.
Design Engaging Collage Portraits
Among the different art styles kids like most, collages are particularly enjoyable and engaging. Children can experiment with textures, colors and found materials, layering sections from magazines, fabric scraps and tissue paper. This approach teaches kids to look for creative ways to represent facial features.
Experiment With Mixed Media Designs
Combining multiple materials in a single portrait encourages children to be creative with different techniques and mediums. Starting with a photograph as the base, kids then add oil pastels or crayons to transform the look and feel of the work. The contrast between the detail of the photograph and the abstract colors and lines produces an engaging effect.
Incorporate Emotion Into Portraits
Learning the skill of conveying emotions in a portrait is crucial. When kids first begin studying portraiture, they can benefit from exaggerating representations of feelings like anger, happiness and surprise. Encourage students to think about a type of emotion and how it is conveyed, such as a big smile to demonstrate joy. As they progress, kids can develop more subtle facial expressions in their work.
Create Self Portraits With a Mirror
Self-portraits have a long history within the art world, from Van Gogh’s impressionist paintings to Picasso’s geometric interpretations of the face. Kids can benefit from creating art that encourages them to make careful observations and reflect on themselves and the world around them. Using a mirror and crayons or watercolors, children should begin by observing their features and the proportions of their face. These careful observations form the foundation for creating expressive self-portraits.
Try Our Creative Art Lessons for Kids
At Golden Road Arts, you can find lessons in all types of art, including portraiture, collage, fine art and mixed media. We produce art guides suitable for parents and teachers looking to help children’s creative development. Browse our free art lessons today.