Self Portrait

Self Portrait is a free printable art activity. Children make a picture of themselves using Jaques Water Colour Pencils or a Jaques Crayon Set. It needs no preparation, and children of many ages can join in at their own level.

It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company. Print the sheet, set out your pencils or crayons and let your child take the lead. Black and white printing works well, because the colour comes from your child.

What is on the sheet

Children create a self portrait, a picture of their own face and the things that make them look like them. They choose Jaques Water Colour Pencils or a Jaques Crayon Set and decide which colours to use for their hair, eyes, skin and clothes. There is no right answer. Every portrait will look different, and that is the point of the activity.

How to build a self portrait

Why draw a self portrait?

Fun facts about self portraits

• A self portrait is a picture an artist makes of themselves.
• Many artists have used a mirror to help them draw their own faces.
• The painters Rembrandt and Frida Kahlo each made many self portraits.
• On most people, the eyes sit about halfway down the head, not near the top.
• Water colour pencils can be used dry like normal pencils, or blended with a damp brush.

Skills and curriculum link

• Observational drawing
• Colour choice and mixing
• Fine motor control
• Self expression
• Looking for detail
• Confidence in art

Ways to help your artist

• Praise the lookingSay things like, "You noticed your eyebrows are curved." This encourages careful observation rather than aiming for a perfect likeness.
• Offer a mirrorA small mirror or a photo helps children check details such as hair parting, eye colour or a favourite jumper.
• Let them mixWith crayons, colouring one layer over another makes new colours. With water colour pencils, a damp brush blends them. Let your child try and see.
• Keep it relaxedAvoid fixing their drawing. A portrait that looks odd to you may be exactly how your child sees themselves, and that is worth keeping.

Key words

• Self portraitA picture you make of yourself.
• FeatureA part of the face, such as the eyes, nose or mouth.
• OutlineThe line around the edge of a shape.
• ShadeHow light or dark a colour looks.
• BlendMix two colours together so they melt into each other.
• ObserveLook carefully and notice details.

How to use it

1. Print the sheet and gather your Jaques Water Colour Pencils or Crayon Set. Add a mirror if you have one.
2. Talk first. Ask your child what they can see when they look at their face, and what makes them look like them.
3. Draw lightly in pencil or a pale crayon first, so there is room to change things.
4. Add colour. With water colour pencils, an adult can help by setting out a small pot of water and a brush, and showing how to use only a little water.
5. Finish by adding a name and the date. Display the portrait, and ask your child to tell you about the choices they made.

Help, stretch and game ideas

Talk about it

• What colours did you choose for your eyes and hair, and why?
• What is the hardest part of a face to draw?
• What would you add to show something you love?
• How is your portrait different from a photograph?
• If you drew another one tomorrow, what would you change?
• How did the colours change when you blended them?

Take it off the page

Who it is for

Where this fits in art

Before a self portrait, children usually practise drawing lines, shapes and simple faces, and explore how colour behaves. They learn that a drawing can be built from circles, ovals and curves, and that different tools leave different marks.

After this, children can try portraits of other people, drawing from photographs, or working in paint and collage. They can also learn about proportion, light and shade, and how different artists show faces in very different styles.

Questions parents and teachers ask

What do we need for the Self Portrait sheet?

You need the printed sheet and either Jaques Water Colour Pencils or a Jaques Crayon Set. A mirror helps, and a pot of water and a soft brush are useful if you use water colour pencils.

How long does it take?

It depends on your child. Some like to work quickly and others enjoy adding lots of detail. There is no set time, so let them finish at their own pace, or return to it later.

Do we have to use Jaques pencils or crayons?

The sheet is designed for Jaques Water Colour Pencils or the Jaques Crayon Set. Other colouring tools will also work, but blending with a damp brush is only possible with water colour pencils.

What if my child says they cannot draw?

Remind them there is no right way to draw a face. Start with one small feature and praise what they notice. Looking carefully in a mirror often helps, and confidence grows as they keep going.

How do water colour pencils work?

Children draw with them like ordinary pencils. Then they brush a little water over the colour, and it spreads and blends like paint. Use a damp brush rather than a wet one, so the paper stays flat.

Can we use this sheet in a classroom?

Yes. It works well for All About Me topics, art lessons or a quiet activity. It supports the art and design strands on drawing, painting, colour and sharing ideas. Each child makes something personal.

Should the portrait look realistic?

No. The aim is to look closely and make choices, not to make a perfect copy. A bold, wobbly or colourful portrait is just as valuable. Encourage your child to talk about what they have drawn.