Keith Haring Art Project Pop Art Lesson Drawing Art History Figure Art Activity

This Keith Haring art project is a pop art lesson for teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers. Students create a wiggle person inspired by Keith Haring using bold line, a large circular head, dancing arms, a spiraling body and energetic movement marks.

The finished artwork has a strong pop art feel, with bright color, thick outlines, playful wiggles, texture and pattern. It fits units on figure drawing, artist study and art history in elementary and upper elementary art, and the finished pieces make a bold display on bulletin boards, hallway walls and classroom walls.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “I'm using this for my line unit as well for my older students and incorporating movement into it. I love this resource and your other one as well. Thanks!!” Teaching is Life

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF)

• 1 About the Resource Page
• 1 Critical Thinking Questions Page
• 3 Lesson Plan Pages
• 1 Keith Haring Poem Hook Page
• 1 Student Reading Page about Keith Haring
• 1 Rubric Page
• 1 How to Draw: Keith Haring Person Page
• 1 KWL Chart Page
• The Message Reflection Pages
• 1 Analyze: Elements and Principles Reflection Page
• 1 Compare and Contrast Page
• 1 Questions and Wonders Page
• 1 Goal Setting Page
• 2 Artwork Reflection Pages
• 1 Peer Feedback Page
• Artist's Statement Pages
• 1 Full-Page Example Artwork Page
• Step-by-Step Tutorial Pages that guide students through drawing the head, arms, spiral body, dancing legs, horizon line, dots, movement lines and background wiggle marks

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

Students draw a lively, dancing figure with a swirling body and bold marks that make the whole page feel active and full of rhythm. The shapes are bold and the lines are clear, so students can feel successful without needing tiny details.

The poem and student reading page introduce Keith Haring's simple line-based figures, his colorful public art, his graffiti roots in New York City, and the way he used art to share messages about love, friendship, kindness and joy.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers who want a Keith Haring art project, pop art lesson or figure drawing activity.

Is it editable?

No. It is a non-editable PDF.

How long will this art lesson take?

Most classes finish in about 2 to 3 art classes, depending on student age and skill level, class behavior, teacher instruction style and class length.

What materials are used?

Oil pastels, card stock or thicker paper, watercolor paint, paint brushes and water, with tempera paint also listed as an option.

Does it include reflection or assessment pages?

Yes. It includes a rubric, KWL chart, reflection pages, compare and contrast, peer feedback, goal setting, artist statement pages and more.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She was the featured cover educator in OCO Magazine for October 2025. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

This resource is for single educator use only.

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

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

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic