Abstract Self Portrait Ideas

Art can be a marvelous key to self-discovery, as you can create a self portrait to understand, express, or even reinvent yourself.

Combine that with abstract art for the most freeing experience. It’s also a lot more accessible to kids than realistic art.

So, if you’re in the pursuit of some mind-blowing abstract self portrait ideas, allow this article to be your guide.

1. How to Draw an Abstract Self Portrait

Our first idea is one for the kids. If you’re a parent, teacher, or caretaker, you can use this idea to get your little one to practice face drawing.

It facilitates everything, especially drawing eyes, and it makes way for kids to add their own touches.

The abstract magic happens when kids color in their drawings.

A bonus point is the abstract self portrait coloring page, which you can hand out to the younger ones.

Learn more about How to Draw an Abstract Self Portrait from artprojectsforkids.org

2. Abstract Self-Portrait – Value, Movement, Identity

Students from grade 4 to grade 9 will love this abstract self portrait. It’s a good project if you want them practicing with oil pastels.

But, more importantly, you’ll help kids express their identity and pinpoint the things that matter to them.

You can even ask them questions to help them better understand themselves.

Get the instructions for Abstract Self-Portrait – Value, Movement, Identity from crayolateachers.ca

3. Project Reader Abstract Self Portrait

You should consider this abstract idea if your kids or students are in the third grade or up.

It takes self expression to the next level, as it urges kids not only to draw themselves in an abstract style but also follow up with a story about themselves.

Additionally, the art style is simple, so they won’t find sketching themselves difficult.

Read about Project Reader Abstract Self Portrait on strathmoreartist.com

4. Another Cubism Face

Yes, cubism falls under the umbrella of abstract art.

You might think that a cubist self portrait is too tricky for kids, but the idea’s tutorial simplifies it and makes it way more fun!

The painting will feature the two-sided look of their face, framed by bold black lines. And the vibrant colors will have your kids going bonkers!

Get inspired by Another Cubism Face on artprojectsforkids.org

5. Picasso Self Portrait

We can’t possibly talk about abstract self portraits without mentioning Picasso.

In this project, kids create self-portraits in Picasso’s style. They learn about shapes and colors.

Moreover, this can be an excellent opportunity to discuss the history of Picasso with the kids.

Read more about Picasso Self Portrait on ktjoartsblogspot.com

6. Adrian Ghenie’s Self-Portrait in 1945

Are you an experienced artist? You may be interested in Adrian Ghenie’s Self-Portrait in 1945, a top piece.

The painting features Ghenie’s face combined with bits of others’ faces.

And we think the lush brush strokes and blurred features can be all the inspiration you need, whether you want to recreate his painting or create yours in the same style.

Get the details for Adrian Ghenie’s Self-Portrait in 1945 on Sothebys.com

7. Self Portrait – 5 Original Painting Made With Ink and Acrylic

Professional artists will probably appreciate Harry Simmods’ self portrait, and that’s especially true if you don’t want to make a colored self portrait.

he primarily black and white painting is one of his most reflective contemporary artworks. And we’re sure that it’ll spark some ideas for your self portrait.

Learn more about Self Portrait – 5 Original Painting Made with Ink and Acrylic on mineheart.com

8. Self-Portrait With Hat

Add a little personality (or a lot) to your self portrait with a hat!

Schmidt Rottluff painted his oil self portrait in Berlin after his discharge from the army in World War 1.

He reflected the trauma with jarring colors and geometric features.

This is a piece for artists who have some experience, but you don’t necessarily need to be professional to use it as inspiration.

It’s also one for those looking for some art therapy.

Get inspired by Self-Portrait with Hat on Clevehandart.org

9. Jean Michel Basquiat Self Portrait

Jean Michel Basquiat experienced racism all his life, as seen in his 1984 self portrait. It portrays a dual identity, evident in the contrast between the black figure and white background.

Its primitive style is something from which artists of different levels can draw inspiration. And it’s also a change for black artists to paint their experiences and traumas.

Read more about Jean Michel Basquiat Self Portrait from kingandmcgaw.com

10. Inspired Portraits in Oil

These self portraits are suitable for first and second graders. Show them Sandra Silberzweig’s portraits, and let their imagination run wild!

You can also use this project as an opportunity to acquaint them with the artist and her biography (in brief).

As for the final product, each kid’s piece will be utterly beautiful and unique.

Get the instructions for Inspired Portraits in Oil on mrsbakersartclass.blogspot.com

11. Painting Inspired by Tracey Emin

Tracey Emin created her painting as part of her 30 self portraits in the spring of 2015.

The abstract acrylic painting features the artist and the inscription “I made up a rule” at the top and “Let’s try not to figure out everything at once” at the bottom.

This quotation is a needed reminder that although a self portrait can help you better understand yourself and the world, you don’t have to rush the journey of self exploration.

Learn more about Painting Inspired by Tracey Emin on saatchiart.com

12. Paintings 1980s

We can’t talk about self portraits without referring to Francis Bacon. His passion for self portraits left us with many paintings in the 1980s that you’ll find peculiar.

And you might want to try incorporating his abstract perspective lines and space frames into your self portrait, creating a Francis Bacon-inspired self portrait.

Get inspiration from Paintings 1980s from francis-bacon.com

13. Self Portrait Doodle

Do you find drawing features intimidating?

If so, you can trade them for doodles! The artwork features a silhouette portrait filled with symbols and doodles. This is a project that kids can work on.

hey get to learn about abstraction, symbolism, and color schemes.

Aside from the self portrait, the questionnaire should help them come up with elements to doodle.

Get the instructions for Self Portrait Doodle on nchsartelmore.blogspot.com

14. Faceless Art

Joseph Lee’s art typically depicts faces and emotions. His signature segmented brush strokes are genuinely stunning, somehow creating a coherent painting.

is self portrait is no exception, and it’s full of expression despite the absence of features.

Learn more about Faceless Art on boredpanda.com

15. Nikos Gyftakis Liquid Friends Self Portraits

Nikos Gyftakis’s energetic self portraits are indeed a work of art. The Greek artist’s oil paintings are marked by curved and circular lines.

And the swirling lines give the overall impression of the facial features.

So, if you’re looking to experiment with different art styles, you’ve got to create your own psychedelic portrait.

Read about Nikos Gyftakis Liquid Friends Self Portraits on mymodernmet.com

16. Paintings 1970s

We’ve discussed Francis Bacon’s 1980s self portraits, but the seventies is when it started.

The aging artist painted them as a means of staring his mortality in the face, which is sometimes reflected in a wristwatch (symbolizing the passage of time).

The paintings are also highly abstracted with space frames.

Learn about Paintings 1970s on francis-bacon.com

17. Jean Michel Basquiat

Another self portrait Jean Michel Basquiat created was that of 1982. Like the former one, the piece is socially conscious.

And if you want to delve into neo-expressionism and street art styles, you can try your hands at this abstract self portrait.

Read about Jean Michel Basquiat self portrait on mymodernmet.com

18. Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh’s Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear is one of his most famous pieces. This is the painting featuring his bandaged wound after he cut off his ear.

Also, it’s in the post-impressionist style of abstract art. So, it’s undoubtedly an interesting painting to recreate or get inspired by.

Learn more about Vincent Van Gogh portrait from mymodernmet.com

19. Salvador Dalí

Are you looking to create a surrealist, abstract self portrait? Salvador Dalí is your guy.

His Soft Self-Portrait With Grilled Bacon painting in 1941 is one of a kind.

It portrays a bacon slice and an unidentified shape with a human face and his signature mustache. Dalí breaks all the rules, and you can, as well.

How would you paint yourself in a surrealist portrait?

Get inspired by Salvador Dalí painting from mymodernmet.com

20. Peter Keil Self Portrait Painting

One of the top German contemporary painters, Peter Keil, depicted himself as “the Wild Man of Berlin” he came to be known as in his self portrait.

And we think it has just the abstract style you might be looking for if you want to learn about energetic art and expressionist styles.

You can use it as inspiration and get your kids to join, as they’ll love its bright colors.

Learn more about Peter Keil Self Portrait Painting on missinglinknyc.com

Ultimately, abstract art is so broad and accessible that it encompasses many possibilities, opening the doors to self exploration. And we hope our abstract self portrait ideas are the first step in a fruitful and rewarding experience.