Kids explore identity and learn how to create Pablo Picasso collages with colorful cut paper shapes and glue.
Updated November 2022
What is it about Picasso’s art that makes it so attractive to children (as well as adults, of course)?
Maybe it is his amazing ability to create works in so many different styles? Or maybe the colors and the “crazy shapes” (in words of my first graders) he used in his art works? There are so many answers to this question.
Considered an artist as well as an innovator, Picasso is responsible for co-founding, next to Braque, one of my favorite art movements of all times: Cubism.
In Cubism, artists began to look at subjects in new ways in an effort to depict three-dimensions on a flat canvas. Interesting right? And did you know that Cubism was used to paint portraits?
Self-portraits are one of my favorite things to explore with children because they are so deeply connected with identity. And exploring them–through the use of paper collage inspired by Picasso’s work–was so interesting and fun.
Before beginning our Picasso collages, I shared some pictures of Picasso’s work. “The Weeping Woman” was my students’ favorite one. We talked about what they saw, the many shapes forming her face and her expression; all so powerful!
It was a long conversation with lots of questions, theories and comments on the piece.
Then I asked them to imagine if they were Picasso and were commissioned to do a portrait of themselves, what would it look like? And so they started creating their own Picasso collages while being both the artists and the subject matter.
Picasso Collages for Kids
MATERIALS
- Black 12×12 paper
- Paint swatches
- Colored paper
- Any other fun paper you may have around
- Circle hole punchers
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Prepare materials for Picasso collages
Here is what I suggest doing the night before the project:
Pre-cut the shapes of the faces in different colors and glue them onto the black 12×12 paper.
Pre-cut circles out of the different papers. We used circle hole punchers in various sizes for this part and many kinds of papers: colored, mirror paper, paint swatches, etc.
Pre-cut other shapes out of these papers as well such as: squares, rectangles, triangles, hexagons, half circles, and just any random shape that comes out. Be playful with the scissors!
And that’s pretty much it for the prepping the day before! See, not too bad right?
- Cut shapes
Start by setting out the pre-assembled black paper with the faces, one for each kid.
Set out all the pre-cut shapes and let them know you made these so they get an idea of the different kinds of forms they can cut out on their own for their self-portraits.
Set out scissors, colored paper, paint swatches and any other fun paper you have around.
Ask the kids to cut the paper into shapes for their Picasso collages.
Keep in mind every part of the face to cut shapes for: nose hair, eyes, ears, etc…
Let them know they can also use the pre-cut shapes you laid out. - Assemble & glue shapes
Assemble all the pieces over the face as the kids want them to look. This allows the kids to move them around if necessary, until they have their desired end piece.
Lastly, bring out the glue sticks and ask them to start gluing all of their shapes to the face! - Share portraits
Have the kids share their self-portraits and explain a little of what is going on. Ask why they made certain choices for their artwork.
Have the kids share their self-portraits and explain a little of what is going on. Ask why they made certain choices for their artwork.
It is so much fun to hear the kids talk about their pieces!
More Collage Art for Kids
- How to Make Record Mandalas
- How to Make Mixed Media Collage Portraits
- Superhero Self Portraits for Kids
- How to Make Marble Paper Art Landscape Collages
- How to Draw Abstract Self Portraits
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