self-portrait with personal symbols

Self-Portrait Lessons

May 28, 2026 No Comments

9 different self-portrait art lessons below!

These lessons are listed in order by grade level from Kindergarten to 5th grade.

All pictures shown are of my students artwork only (no teacher examples).

Almost any of these lessons could be used for the grade above or grade below as well!

I’ve included my links (with the exception of one K and one 4th lesson) that go directly to each post about that particular lesson, which include detailed directions, in process photos, finished student artwork, and the learning goals of the lesson. I’ve added a new PAGE listed under my menu called “SELF-PORTRAITS” as well. The page will remain under my main menu and I’ll update it as new lessons are created!
This page will make it much quicker and easier for you to find each self-portrait art lesson! More will be added throughout my teaching too!

Please be sure to check out my drop down MENU to view all that I have to offer on my website (especially if you’re someone new to my site!) There’s lots to look at and I added other additional NEW pages recently too!

I’m also planning on adding a “summer art lessons” page, “fall artlessons” page and “winter art lessons” page over the course of the next couple of months as well, so be on the look out for those!

Ok, here’s my list of Self-Portrait Art Lessons!!

Kindergarten

Self-Portraits with Rainbow Lines

Please go to my Kindergarten Art Lessons page and scroll down near the bottom to view the lesson, read how we made them, see additional photos of students artwork, in process pics, and view the learning goals!

Kindergarten and 1st grade

Self-Portraits with Patterns

Please click on my link below to view my blog post on this lesson and view the step-by-step instructions, view in process pics, learning goals, and see additional artwork!

K + 1st grade Self-Portraits and 3rd grade Kinetic Piranhas!

1st grade

Bubble Blowing Selfies

Please click on my links below to view my blog posts on this lesson and view the step-by-step instructions, view in process pics, learning goals, and see additional artwork!

BUBBLE BLOWING SELF-PORTRAITS- 1ST GRADE!

1st Grade- Bubblegum Blowing Self-portraits (before the bubble!)

2nd grade

Abstract Self-Portrait

Please click on my links below to view my blog posts on this lesson and view the step-by-step instructions, view in process pics, learning goals, and see additional artwork! (I taught this lesson with a slight twist one year – that’s why there’s a second link below.)

I have the fill in the blank sheet with questions kids fill out for this lesson in my TpT store —TpT store link below!
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

ABSTRACT SELF-PORTRAITS -2nd Grade

2ND GRADE ABSTRACT SELF-PORTRAITS!

2nd grade

Thinking of Summer Self-Portrait

Please click on my link below to view my blog post on this lesson and view the step-by-step instructions, view in process pics, learning goals, and see additional artwork! You can also view other additional artwork under my “2nd Grade Art Lessons” page.

2nd Grade “Thinking of Summer Self-Portraits” and 1st Grade “Dream Houses”

3rd grade

Self-Portraits with Personal Symbols inspired by Frida Kahlo

Please click on my links below to view my blog posts on this lesson and view the step-by-step instructions, view in process pics, learning goals, and see additional artwork!

The first link uses crayons and the second link uses oil pastels to color with.

Self-Portraits with Personal Symbols – by 3rd Grade artists

Self-portraits with Personal Symbols-3rd grade!

4th grade

Neon Pop out Self-Portraits

Please click on my link below to view my blog post on this lesson and view the step-by-step instructions, view in process pics, learning goals, and see additional artwork!

NEON POP OUT SELF-PORTRAITS – 4TH GRADE!

I also have an “I Am” Statements resource sheet that lists positive descriptive words to download and print out (PDF) that you can use for this lesson in my TpT store https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/art-with-mrs-filmore

4th grade

Believe in your Selfie

Please go to my 4th Grade Art Lessons page and scroll down near the bottom to view the lesson, read how we made them, and see additional photos of students artwork! This would be a great lesson for either the beginning of the year or the last day of art, for a fun easy breezy lesson! Maybe they could draw themselves doing something they’d love to do over the summer break!

5th grade

Mixed Media Watercolor Self- Portraits

NEW lesson that I’m SO excited about!!! I’ll be posting students finished artwork on my main “Home/Blog” page later this wknd. (5/30 -5/31/26) and then will add it to my Self-Portraits page as well! Can’t wait to share! Stay Tuned!

I am thinking about creating a YouTube tutorial on self-portraits sometime in the near future. Please let me know if you would like seeing that by emailing me directly (“contact” page). I would love your support and would love to know how many people would be interested in that- so please email!

I’d also create a hand drawn sheet of various hair styles and facial expressions (PDF) in my TpT store to go along with my video creation. Kids could refer to the sheet as they draw their self-portraits!

More self-portrait lessons will be added on my “Self-Portraits” page listed under my main menu as they are created!

I also plan on adding “summer art lessons”, “fall art lessons”, and “winter art lessons” pages along with my “springtime art lessons” page (that’s already listed) soon as well!

Thanks so much for visiting my site today! Please subscribe below for any new updates! (It’s 100% free!) 🙂

Uncategorized

Self-Portraits with Personal Symbols – by 3rd Grade artists

May 22, 2019 No Comments

This lesson was inspired by the artist Frida Kahlo, who is well known for her self-portrait paintings and often incorporating symbols into her artwork.

This lesson took about 4 (40 minute) art classes to complete.

DAY 1:

Students were introduced to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, and learned about her interesting life and beautiful artwork!

We looked at a variety of images of her paintings as well as photos of her creating her art. We looked at photos and self-portraits of her and her many unique pets as well! (Students loved seeing her with her pet spider monkey, 4 parrots, a deer, a hawk and other interesting creatures! She loved animals and had a lot of unique pets throughout her life!

Students also learned how she originally wanted to be a doctor and studied medicine, but then was in a terrible trolley accident which left her bedridden in the hospital for a very long time. Her mother gave her paints and drawing supplies to help her pass the time in the hospital and set up a mirror above her bed, which led her to her love of painting, becoming an artist and creating her many self-portraits!

After discussing her use of symbolism in some of her self-portraits, and discussing what a SYMBOL was, students looked at a variety of student examples as well as my teacher examples.

For the lesson, I explained they needed to draw themselves large on the paper vertically, only including their head, neck and shoulders, (like in their school photos!) then to draw 6 or 7 symbols around them that reflect their interests and personality. The symbols should be drawn large and at least as big as their closed fist (making sure the objects are clearly identifiable and easy to outline and color in later on).

I reminded them to make sure the symbols should only be images, no text! They could connect to things that they enjoy doing, things that are important to them, a favorite memory, favorite foods, hobbies, seasons etc. They could however, add words in their shirt if they wanted.

Then, I reviewed with students how to draw the shape of the head and facial details as well as facial detail placement on the head, under the doc camera on 12 x18″ 80# paper. I had facial detail handouts to use and refer to as they drew with a variety of eyes, noses, and mouth images if they wanted to use them, but didn’t have to.

Students then started drawing soon after with pencil, drawing lightly in case they needed to erase.

DAYS 2-4:

Students continued drawing and once all details were added and 6-7 symbols were drawn around them, they outlined all lines with a black sharpie.

Students used crayons (pressing firmly! so the colors would be vibrant! ) to color in. I explained to find a crayon –(or two, overlapping and blending the two colors if needed) that best matched their unique skin color, hair color and eye color. (In previous years, kids used oil pastels to color in, but I wanted to switch it up and try good ol’ crayons for a change (and lets face it….less mess!)

As a final step, students chose one color to color in the background, to make their self-portrait and symbols stand out, filling in the entire paper so no white paper was showing.

Once finished, students filled out a self-assessment on their knowledge of Frida Kahlo and on their own artwork! This sheet will be taped to the back of their drawings before going home.

To my 3rd graders in school, can you tell who’s WHO in these self-portraits by looking at their drawings and symbols?? : ) Take a look below! (obviously, the first two are very evident!) 🙂

Photos of students creating their beautiful masterpieces below student artwork too! (I guess that would kinda give it away now wouldn’t it, haha)