Create your own funky and colorful self portrait inspired by famous artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat. Basquiat art for kids is also a great way to explore art with kiddos of all ages. All you need are oil pastels and a sheet of art paper to make your own unique Basquiat art! We love fun art activities for kids!
HOW TO MAKE A BASQUIAT SELF PORTRAIT
BASQUIAT ART
Jean-Michel Basquiat began his career as a street and graffiti artist on the streets of New York. Basquiat’s art focused on contrasts, such as wealth versus poverty, and integration versus segregation. He used poetry, drawing, and written word to express himself in a way that was empowering.
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Basquiat painted a lot of self portraits. In both his portraits and self-portraits, he explores his identity as a man of Latino and African-American lineage.
He used social commentary in his paintings as a tool for identifying with his experiences in the black community, as well as to attack racism and prejudice.
Be inspired by Basquiat’s art, and create your own funky self portrait with our free Basquiat printable art project below. Let’s get started!
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WHY DO ART WITH KIDS?
Children are naturally curious. They observe, explore, and imitate, trying to figure out how things work and how to control themselves and their environments. This freedom of exploration helps children form connections in their brain, it helps them learn—and it’s also fun!
Art is a natural activity to support this essential interaction with the world. Kids need the freedom to explore and experiment creatively.
Art allows children to practice a wide range of skills that are useful not only for life but also for learning. These include the aesthetic, scientific, interpersonal, and practical interactions that can be discovered through the senses, intellect, and emotions.
Making and appreciating art involves emotional and mental faculties!
Art, whether making it, learning about it, or simply looking at it – offers a wide range of important experiences. In other words, it’s good for them!
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE BASQUIAT ART PROJECT!
Basquiat Self Portrait
Design your very own self-portrait in the style of Jean-Michele Basquiat. Add words that describe your personality and style.
SUPPLIES:
- Art paper
- Oil Pastels
- Information Page
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Cover a full page of art paper with various colors of oil pastels. Bright colors work best!
STEP 2: Outline your colored areas with black oil pastel.
STEP 3: Draw a simple outline of your face in black oil pastel on top in the style of Basquiat.
STEP 4: Optional – Add written words that describe you.
More Fun Art Activities for Kids
Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources to help you introduce art more effectively to your kids or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
Printable Famous Artist Bundle
You’ll find each of our famous artists featured in our Famous Artists Project Pack 👇 including tons of fantastic resources!
This bundle includes a variety of art packs to cover different areas of the art experience! Perfect for ages 5-12, with various activities to suit all age levels. Easy to use in the home or classroom.
PACKS INCLUDE:
- Famous Artists Project Pack with 25+ artists to explore past and present, including women, people of color, and indigenous peoples.
- Artists Challenge Pack: Various extra art projects, including a museum scavenger hunt and extras.
- 7 Elements of Art Pack: Learn about and explore the 7 elements of art with handy information, tips, and fun projects to try.
- Art and Playdough Pack: Make homemade playdough and use these art mats with kids of all ages featuring famous artists with simple information.
- Art Techniques Pack: Learn watercolor, collage, and printmaking techniques for your art projects. Complete with information, tips, and activities to try!
Great project for Basquiat! Thank you!
You’re welcome!