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Mixed Media Self Portraits by 3rd Grade

My students made self portraits with construction paper, tissue paper and paint.

Colorful, mixed media self-portraits of 3rd grade children displayed on a board with a "Mixed Media Self Portraits" banner below.

This project is always a hit with the kids and parents.  I love it because it involves lots of good art concepts such as color mixing with paints, shades and tints, proportion, facial details and collage techniques.

We start by creating the background with tissue paper and paint.  The kids are encouraged to experiment with color mixing.  I demonstrate how to make colors lighter by adding white and darker by mixing with black (tints and shades).  There’s no formal color wheel lesson, but I wanted the kids to just mix on their own and see what they can create.

After the paint is dry, we cut out shirts and decorated them with patterns.  Then we went through the steps to create our self-portrait by cutting out the head shape, adding the facial features and hair with construction paper.

Four colorful children's mixed media drawings of diverse people, each with unique backgrounds and distinct clothing.

 


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About Marcia Beckett

Marcia is an elementary art teacher and loves painting, drawing, sculpture, art journaling and clay. Her blog, Art is Basic, features many exciting art projects for kids.

6 Responses to Mixed Media Self Portraits by 3rd Grade

  1. pattypalmer says:

    Love these, Marcia!

  2. Joelle says:

    Those are just beautiful! I love the simplicity and the colours! Your students did a great job!

  3. Anna says:

    These are wonderful. Did they stick the tissue paper on the backgrounds as well as paint?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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