28 Serendipitous Self-Portrait Ideas

Artistic self-portraits come alive in this collection of 28 serendipitous ideas!  From incorporating digital photography and utilizing bright backgrounds to making use of monochromatic tones and whacky shapes, there’s something to suit every taste! This unique collection is perfect for guiding your students through a process of self-discovery and personal development. So, without further adieu, let’s get exploring! 

1. Magazine Faces

These cut-and-paste self-portraits are just what you need to utilize all those magazines that are lying around the classroom. Simply have your students draw an outline of their head and then cut pictures of eyes, ears, mouth, and nose from a magazine before gluing them on. 

Learn More: Le Dada

2. Wire Self Portrait

This creative self-portrait is perfect for older elementary learners. By using different colored wires, learners can sculpt an abstract version of their faces! 

Learn More: Flickr

3. Abstract Art Piece

Talk about out-of-the-box thinking! These abstract faces are made from old cardboard boxes. Students can cut an assortment of shapes and glue them to a larger piece of cardboard to form their faces. To bring their art piece to life, they can add facial details using paints and markers. 

Learn More: Hand Makery

4. Loose Parts Craft

This is the perfect project for students who are new to woodwork! Using a cumulation of glue, screws, hinges, nails, washers, and planks of wood, learners can bring a cool self-portrait to life! 

Learn More: Housing a Forest

5. Self-Portrait Collage

This all-about-me self-portrait helps learners piece together a photo story of their family, friends, interests, and enjoyments. Learners can draw their faces on a paper plate and then attach them to a cardstock poster board before gluing on hair and arms. They can then fill their body with pictures that depict what they’re all about! 

Learn More: Fantastic Fun And Learning

6. Seashell Self Portrait

If your child has accumulated a random collection of stones, shells, or sticks, look no further than making this creative self-portrait to give these items a purpose! Pupils can use a hot glue gun to make their unique figurines by gluing all the elements together.  

Learn More: Fantastic Fun And Learning

7. Cereal Box Portrait

Put those empty cereal boxes to good use with this upcycled self-portrait! Learners should be instructed to bring an empty box to class. They can then spend time creating these quirky art forms by painting faces on them. 

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

8. Paper Plate Faces

You can’t go wrong with this inexpensive and easy-to-organize craft. Using a combination of crayons, paper plates, glue, and buttons, students can create a simple self-portrait! Have your learners draw their faces onto a paper plate and then add assorted buttons for eyes, noses, mouths, and hair! 

Learn More: No Time for Flashcards

9. Playdough Portraits

This is a cool self-portrait idea for Kindergarteners. Gather assorted playdough colors and let your little ones get to work on making a face that they think best resembles theirs! Equip them with tools like forks and cutters to add details to their hair. 

Learn More: Little Bins For Little Hands

10. Lego Self Portrait

Most preschool classrooms are furnished with a stockpile of Lego blocks. Put them to good use by challenging your learners to make a self-portrait. 

Learn More: Little Bins for Little Hands

11. Nature Faces

Get your little ones out of the classroom and into nature! This craft encourages them to get outside and search for assorted natural elements such as leaves, sticks, flowers, and grass, to use in a fun project. Once their materials have been collected, they’ll glue them onto a round cardboard cutout to create sweet nature faces. 

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

12. Abstract Portrait

This abstract portrait is one for the creatives! Using assorted lines and art mediums, your students can bring these weird and whacky artworks to life! Simply prepare paper, assorted paints, markers, and crayons, and then they can get to work! 

Learn More: Artful Parent

13. Canvas Portrait

This creative portrait really is a special keepsake for moms and dads. Have your little ones paint a canvas however they’d like. Then, using a black marker, they can draw a funky picture of themselves. Once the canvas is dry, help them attach their drawing to complete the memorable make! 

Learn More: Good 2 Know Network

14. Modern Rendition

This modern rendition of a self-portrait is inspired by Lichtenstein’s Stepping Out. To begin, learners must draw a portrait of themselves using a black marker. They can then embellish their piece by painting parts of it using tempera paint. Lastly, once the paint is dry, they can add the finishing touches by adding dot stickers.  

Learn More: Pinstripey Socks

15. Pizza Box Portrait

This creative self-portrait idea provides a purpose for old pizza boxes! Help your toddlers print a black-and-white photograph of themselves and then glue it into the lid of a pizza box. Then, equip them with colorful markers to scribble away! 

Learn More: Artful Parent

16. Body Trace Portrait

This is another creative idea to incorporate into a self-study unit. Lay a roll of butcher paper onto the floor and have your students then lie on top of it. Ask them to strike a pose as you trace around them. Each student can then use watercolor paints and a fine-line marker to decorate their portrait uniquely. 

Learn More: Meri Cheri

17. Self-Awareness Portrait

Your students can use the provided template to design a special self-awareness portrait. Using colorful markers, they can add facial features and write positive words pertaining to themselves. This exercise enables them to build a sense of self-belief and humble pride. 

Learn More: The Pyjama Foundation

18. Beginning Of The Year Self Portrait 

This self-portrait is the perfect project for the start of a new school year. Preschool learners are encouraged to draw a picture of themselves and then pick three words that best describe them. Have your students introduce themselves to their classmates by hosting a show-and-tell using the completed portraits! 

Learn More: The Educator’s Spin on It

19. Cardboard Faces

These cardboard faces are wonderful tools for teaching your little ones to shape recognition. Cut the pieces out and let them have a go at using them to create funky faces. Once they’re happy with the placement, help them glue the pieces together before using crayons to decorate. 

Learn More: Parent Map

20. Imagination Self-Portrait Reflection 

This fun self-portrait idea couldn’t be simpler to recreate! Ask your students to use their favorite colors to design a watercolor background on a blank piece of paper. Once dry, they can glue on a black-and-white photo of themselves! 

Learn More: Art Bar Blog

21. Wikki Stix

After giving your learners some time to explore the shape and details of their faces, let them get to work creating a quirky self-portrait! They can attach colorful wikki stix to a black paper background using glue. Afterward, jumble up the portraits and let your pupils have a go at guessing who’s who! 

Learn More: Parent Map

22. Watercolor Portrait

This is a classic portrait idea for young learners and allows them to explore the art medium of watercolors! Learners can use the paint to craft a sweet self-portrait which can then be proudly displayed on a bulletin board. 

Learn More: Primarily Speaking

23. Bean Self-Portrait Craft

This isn’t one of the simplest portraits to bring to fruition, so we’d recommend it for upper elementary learners. Gather an assortment of beans and challenge your learners to create a portrait that best resembles them! 

Learn More: Happy Toddler Playtime

24. Abstract Projections

These striking projection artworks give students an opportunity to explore their creative side. Students should begin by painting a colorful background and then decorating it with crayons. They can then glue on a photo of themselves and finish the craft by adding in short sentences about themselves.  

Learn More: Art with Mrs.Filmore

25. Comic Effect Portrait 

These portraits can be made using paper, wax crayons, pencils, and printed black-and-white photographs. Students simply color the backside of their photo using a crayon before pressing it onto a white piece of paper. They then sketch over the black part of their photo before pealing it away to reveal a stunning comic-like portrait! 

Learn More: Normanby School

26. Crayon Self Portraits

The humble crayon strikes again! All that your students need to bring these gorgeous portraits to life is a set of wax crayons. Learners can get creative as they draw themselves any way they choose! They can then add anything from flowers and palm leaves to stars or cars in the background! 

Learn More: Walter Markham

27. Grid Portrait

Encourage your learners to switch to monochromatic mode as they make this striking grid portrait. Using a fine-line marker, learners will draw a picture of themselves before adorning the image with various patterns. Lastly, they can add words and sketchings that depict their hobbies, values, and interests. 

Learn More: In the Art Room

28. Wet Felting Portrait

Wet felting is a textural experience for everyone involved! Students will simply use damp pieces of colorful felt to create a soft-edge self-portrait to attach to a canvas. 

Learn More: Meri Cherry