Jean-Michel Basquiat Inspired Self-Portraits
Let the inspiration of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s graffiti street art inspire you to paint a self portrait in the same style. Use bright colors, dimension, words, and shapes to express your feelings right on the canvas, just like Basquiat!
Materials
Canvas
Paints
Paint Brush
Instructions
Step 1.
Basquiat began as a graffiti artist, then began painting on canvas. Choose your canvas and begin layering your paint colors!
Step 1.
Basquiat began as a graffiti artist, then began painting on canvas. Choose your canvas and begin layering your paint colors!
Step 2.
Continue to layer your paint colors. Don’t be afraid to overlap and mix colors!
Step 2.
Continue to layer your paint colors. Don’t be afraid to overlap and mix colors!
Step 3.
Once you are happy with your background, let the paint dry completely.
Step 3.
Once you are happy with your background, let the paint dry completely.
Step 4.
Begin your self-portrait. Using black paint, paint a rough outline of your figure. You can use messy brush strokes and jagged shapes and lines.
Step 4.
Begin your self-portrait. Using black paint, paint a rough outline of your figure. You can use messy brush strokes and jagged shapes and lines.
Step 5.
Continue adding shapes and lines to create things that are unique about you; like your hair, smile, if you wear glasses, etc.!
Step 5.
Continue adding shapes and lines to create things that are unique about you; like your hair, smile, if you wear glasses, etc.!
Step 6.
Once your self-portrait outline is complete, use other colors like red and white to add details. Graffiti isn’t perfect, so be creative and embrace the imperfections!
Step 6.
Once your self-portrait outline is complete, use other colors like red and white to add details. Graffiti isn’t perfect, so be creative and embrace the imperfections!
Step 7.
Jean-Michel Basquiat commonly incorporated crowns into his works. Try layering in a crown on top of your self-portrait!
Step 7.
Jean-Michel Basquiat commonly incorporated crowns into his works. Try layering in a crown on top of your self-portrait!
Step 8.
Graffiti art is typically a mix of pictures and words. Use black paint to add words or phrases!
Step 8.
Graffiti art is typically a mix of pictures and words. Use black paint to add words or phrases!
Teacher's Corner
From the streets to the gallery, Jean-Michel Basquiat’s artwork is attention-grabbing — draw inspiration from this unique artist and create your own eye-catching art!
Lesson Objectives
- Boy from Brooklyn: Jean-Michel Basquiat shared his early art as graffiti on New York’s streets. As it grew in popularity, his art quickly moved into galleries! Learn about Basquiat’s early life to see how he was inspired to create art.
- Mind and Body: Inspired by the anatomy of the human body, Basquiat’s subjects were often skeletons surrounded by bright colors and abstract lines. What does his art represent or symbolize for your students? How can they make their craft just as unique?
Follow-up Discussion
Basquiat listened to different music while painting — the sounds of jazz, rock, and pop gave him inspiration for all kinds of textures and shapes. Choose a few songs for your class to listen to while crafting — how does it affect their art?
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