Picasso Portrait Art Project Art And Write Cubism Artist Study Art Activity

This Picasso Portrait Art and Write resource is an art and literacy lesson for teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers. Students learn about Pablo Picasso, explore his portraits and Cubist style, create their own bold, colorful Picasso-inspired portrait, and then keep the learning going with writing, artist statements, reflection pages and an exit ticket.

Students start with a Warm-Up Art Challenge, making a colorful portrait from circles, triangles and squares. They then follow the tutorial to create a portrait with cut construction paper shapes, strong facial features, colorful pattern details and a lively background. Quick-Pick Reference Images let students choose different eye shapes, mouth shapes and patterns, so the finished portraits look playful, abstract and all a little different.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “A fun and easy to use art activity that is something different for the students.” Tracy R.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF AND POWERPOINT TUTORIAL)

• Cover page, About the Art and Write Resource page and How to Use page
• 2 lesson plan pages and 1 standards page
• Warm-Up Art Challenge page
• Student reading page about Pablo Picasso
• 2 rubric pages
• The Message writing page, Artwork Reflection page and Artist Mindsets page
• Artist statement pages and exit ticket page
• Quick-Pick Reference Images page
• Rough Draft page and artwork planning/example page
• Full-page example artwork
• Full PowerPoint step-by-step tutorial
• Non-fiction, fiction and opinion writing planning and prompt pages
• Blank writing pages
• Two versions of writing paper to support different learner needs

HOW TO USE IT

Project the PowerPoint, model alongside it and pause on each step while students work. It is clear enough to leave for a sub. The reading page connects the art to Picasso's life and to Cubism, a style that broke objects down into geometric shapes, and to how his portraits captured a person in a unique, expressive way.

After the art, students respond in writing. The planning pages help them organize their ideas before they write, and the two versions of writing paper let you meet different writing abilities. Students practice shape, pattern, composition, abstract portrait design, artist statement writing, reflection and personal expression. It suits artist study units, upper elementary and middle school art, homeschool art and sub plans.

FAQ

Does it include a tutorial?

Yes. It includes a full PowerPoint step-by-step tutorial for teaching the art lesson.

What writing does it include?

Non-fiction, fiction and opinion writing, plus reflection writing and artist statement pages.

Can I use my own art materials?

Yes. Use what works best for your classroom. The example artwork uses oil pastel and construction paper.

Does it include student choice?

Yes. Students use the Quick-Pick Reference Images to choose features, shapes and pattern details.

Is it editable?

No. It is non-editable.

TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★ “My 3rd graders love this and I have used it for the last four years.” Ann M.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) creates visual art resources for teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers who want meaningful, easy-to-teach art lessons for kids. She was the featured cover educator in OCO Magazine for October 2025 and has been featured on NBC LX.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this resource as a single educator. Please purchase additional licenses if more than one teacher will use it.

YOU MAY NOT: share, copy, upload, post online, distribute or resell this resource in any form.

Thank you for respecting the time, creativity and care that go into creating original art lessons.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic