How kids can make 3D cardboard portraits from the Art Workshop for Children by Barbara Rucci of Art Bar Blog. An easy portrait-making art activity for kids from a beautiful new book that is full of process art activities for kids.
“Let’s raise creative thinkers who explore their world, express their dreams, embrace differences, and never lose touch with their inner artist.” – Barbara Rucci
My friend Bar Rucci of Art Bar Blog teaches art classes for children in her home in Connecticut. I’ve often thought about how lucky those kids are to have her encourage them creatively and offer beautiful process art activities every week. Any child I know would thrive in that environment and enjoy the art activities she offers.
Art Workshop for Children Book
Well now, even if we can’t all go to Bar’s home for art classes, we can bring Bar and her art classes into our own homes.
Because she has a new book, Art Workshop for Children: How to Foster Original Thinking with More than 25 Process Art Experiences. This book presents her art activities and philosophies together in an accessible and encouraging way.
Bar’s new book is a beautiful introduction to process art, with conversations about art spaces, materials, displaying art, and parenting throughout.
Above all, though, the book is full of lovely art activities that would work as well with one child as with a classroom full of children. Each activity includes the materials needed, set up tips (great to have!), instructions, and ways to extend or vary the activity.
Plus gorgeous photos!
Here’s a sweet peek into the book:
Doesn’t that look nice?
We made the cardboard collage faces project from her book and got SO into it, it’s taken over our studio!
We’ve kept the materials out in the studio for over a week. We worked on our big cardboard faces (and other creations) every day through three separate playdates and with kids ranging in age from 7 through 39. (Did I just call myself a kid? I still feel like one sometimes!)
Cardboard Portraits from the “Art Workshop for Children” Book
To make the cardboard portraits, I followed Bar’s instructions:
Step 1:
I cut a variety of big and small shapes out of cardboard for the project. I set these up on the art table, along with glue.
Step 2:
We glued necks on our heads. Added cardboard shapes for eyes and noses, ears and mouths, and even necklaces.
Step 3:
After we glued all parts of the head, we used black Sharpies to add details to the cardboard portraits such as eyelashes, teeth, etc. to our faces.
Step 4:
Then got out the paints to add color.
Step 5:
In subsequent days and rounds, we drew and painted more, added extra embellishments and got even more 3-D with egg carton eyes and exposed cardboard ridges, etc.
Maia, my 11-year-old, enjoyed making a cardboard portrait as much as my 7-year-old and her friends. In fact, while process art is traditionally associated with younger children, I think that many of the activities in this book can be easily adapted for a range of ages.
We found this activity so inspiring and could keep going and going. Our windowsill is lined with our cardboard faces and I have more ideas for variations. I love ideas like this that continue to influence.
And this is just ONE of the inspiring ideas from Barbara Rucci’s new book!
The Kids Art Book
Bar Rucci shows that process art can be beautiful as well as creativity enhancing and developmentally appropriate. She wrote the Art Workshop for Children book in collaboration with Reggio-educator Betsy McKenna, who says:
“All children need just one adult in their life who will cultivate the dawning of their creative process.”
How true!
I highly recommend you do yourself and your children a favor and get your hands on a copy of this beautiful, colorful, and inspiring book.
It is available wherever books are sold, online and off.
More Kids Art Activities by Bar Rucci on The Artful Parent
- How to Make Fairy Wings with Cardboard and Doilies
- Queen Mom Kids Mother’s Day Portraits Painted by Kids
- Artist Study with Kids – Sonia Delaunay
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110 Comments
Sara
October 17, 2016 at 8:37 amThese are too cool and look like so much fun! Art Workshop is now on my Amazon wishlist… I have a feeling it’ll make its way into my cart sooner than later! ;)
Marisa maloney
October 17, 2016 at 9:12 amI love following the art bar blog and was happy to see that she wrote book. That would be an awesome addition to my homeschool art curriculum.
Rebecca
October 17, 2016 at 9:26 amThank you for the wonderful insiprations!
Lauren Cohen
October 17, 2016 at 9:35 amI would LOVE LOVE that book! I think I entered to raffle correctly!
-Lauren
Becky Honaker
October 17, 2016 at 9:36 amHow cool! I would love to use this book in my lessons!
Sarah M
October 17, 2016 at 9:58 amI love the cardboard faces project. This looks like such a fun book! Fingers crossed. :)
Madeleine
October 17, 2016 at 10:05 amI love art and my kids would love to make carboard faces from this new book.
Art it is very important for children. I agree!
gabby
October 17, 2016 at 10:06 amThese are very cool. I like the idea of leaving materials out for progressive work sessions (we don’t have space). I’d adapt it for character portraits from books we are reading.
Anna
October 17, 2016 at 10:15 amI need to get my hands on this book! Looks incredible!
Kate
October 17, 2016 at 11:14 amOh, wow, this looks like a fun and inspiring book. My 2.5-year-old and I have been having a great time delving into the world of process art together, and I’ve even started an informal art group with her and a bunch of other little ones (heavily influenced by all your wonderful ideas here, Jean). Would love to add this title to the mix!
Keli Henderson
October 17, 2016 at 11:17 amLove the cardboard portraits. Looks like a fun book!
Karissa
October 17, 2016 at 11:54 amI love having inspiring books like this on hand for my seven and five year old to page through. Art Bar Blog is one of my must-reads, so we’ll have to own this book sooner or later. :D
Kasey
October 17, 2016 at 12:05 pmI would have loved this book when I was teaching art in the classroom but I know it’ll be even more fun to create with my babies at home.
Sara vwB
October 17, 2016 at 12:08 pmCan’t wait to get these going with the boys! We love self portrait projects!!!
Teresa
October 17, 2016 at 12:56 pmI loved the idea of these faces so I set it up for my three year old and she had a blast. I’d love to have the book and do more activities like this!
Jordan Ashby
October 17, 2016 at 1:07 pmThis looks so fun! I will be trying this with my art students very soon!
Jordan
October 17, 2016 at 1:09 pmThis activity looks so fun and I will be trying this with my art students very soon!
Nicole
October 17, 2016 at 1:18 pmThis book is on my list. Wonderful blog too!
Lise McGuinness
October 17, 2016 at 1:44 pmWhat an appealing-looking book. I’d love the chance to win a copy! I adore your cardboard portraits; we might need to do some immediately!
Linara
October 17, 2016 at 3:28 pmI was following the process of creating these masks on IG with pleasure and it’s great to read more datailed about it here. If all the project are as good as this one, the books sounds like a dream!
Selena
October 17, 2016 at 6:10 pmI would LOVE this book. I have been following Bar’s Instagram feed and love her work. I loved your review!
Crystal D
October 17, 2016 at 6:34 pmThese cardboard self-portraits look like such a fun idea – and we have a TON of cardboard in our recycling, I’ll have to go pull it all out! The book looks awesome! Thank you for this generous giveaway, keeping my fingers crossed that we might win a copy!
Julia
October 17, 2016 at 8:10 pmSuch a great idea with beautiful results. Thanks for sharing!
Amanda
October 17, 2016 at 8:30 pmI’m so looking forward to reading this book!
Chiska
October 17, 2016 at 9:44 pmWhat a fantastic project! This would really appeal to my girls! What a great project. Looks like fantastic book!
Kaci
October 17, 2016 at 10:08 pmLooks like Bar has compiled an amazing book. I would be thrilled to have a copy and get to making with the little people on my life. Your cardboard portraits turned out good.
Sarah Gillespie
October 17, 2016 at 10:20 pmThis is so cool! We love to get messy and paint, this would be awesome!
Sarah
October 17, 2016 at 10:28 pmAlways looking for fresh ideas and this book looks like a winner! Thanks for sharing!
Angie D
October 17, 2016 at 11:05 pmMy daughter loves creating art projects of all types and thus would be a wonderful resource to add to our home!
Renee G
October 17, 2016 at 11:56 pmThis book looks like a lot of family fun.
Erin
October 18, 2016 at 2:39 amThis looks like such a beautiful filled with inspiration.
Christina
October 18, 2016 at 3:59 amWhat a great idea! Can’t wait to try it with my daughter!
maitrayee
October 18, 2016 at 4:20 amWe love your blog and follow it all the time. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions!
Lily
October 18, 2016 at 3:22 pmBar’s book (and your blog!) are so very helpful for anyone living or working with little artists! Thank you for supporting the arts :)
Helen
October 18, 2016 at 7:13 pmWhat a wonderful book! I can’t wait to try out some of these art activities. I’m always looking for new art ideas for my students.
Heather Butow
October 18, 2016 at 11:56 pmThank you for the opportunity to win this book! It looks great & my sons & I would love to have a copy at home! I love your blog & your friend Barbara’s blog too! So inspirational! Keep up the great work!
Heather Butow
October 19, 2016 at 12:01 amThank you for the opportunity to win this book! My sons & I would love a copy at home! Also, I love your blog & your friend Barbara’s blog too, so inspirational! Keep up the great work!
Lisa
October 19, 2016 at 12:30 amCan’t wait to try these with my class.
Abigail
October 19, 2016 at 2:41 pmAs a mom of two little ones this would be a wonderful source of creative ideas!
Jeannette
October 19, 2016 at 7:06 pmThanks so much for telling us about this book. It looks AMAZING! Wish I still had little ones in the house. :-)
stephanie morency
October 20, 2016 at 11:03 amFun project! super excited for this book – we love all things from Art Bar!
Erica
October 20, 2016 at 3:06 pmWould love to win!
Ariana
October 20, 2016 at 9:15 pmsounds like a fun project!
Erin S.
October 20, 2016 at 11:44 pmThanks for sharing, I would love to win this book!
Carra
October 20, 2016 at 11:46 pmThis looks like a must-have for this artful parent/art teacher. Thanks so much for another wonderful post on your wonderful blog- and for the giveaway!
Carolyn
October 21, 2016 at 5:42 amI am an elementary art teacher and think my students would love the activities in this book! Thanks for the opportunity!
Mrs. P
October 21, 2016 at 8:20 amWhen entering the raffle, I inadvertently submitted the comment without actually commenting :-) Oh well! This book looks gorgeous, my kids and my students would love it–I want to make one of those cardboard self portraits too!
Rebekah Gienapp
October 21, 2016 at 12:17 pmThese portraits look so fun. They remind me of a Todd Parr illustration!
Jacquelyn Ross-Hertel
October 21, 2016 at 3:02 pmThis book looks like a lot of fun and a ton of inspiration. I would love to share it with my kiddo and my kiddos in class too!
Angela L.
October 21, 2016 at 3:22 pmI really would like to get this book because I have a hard time transitioning the wonderful ideas I see online to my time with my two kids. They always want to “make art” but I haven’t quite figured out how to guide them. I think this book would be great for that.
Carrie H.
October 21, 2016 at 3:23 pmAs a totally un-crafty parent, I truly appreciate all the help from this blog. A book to refer to would be more awesomeness.
Stephanie
October 21, 2016 at 3:24 pmOur family has thoroughly enjoyed your art books, Jean, and I’m sure we’lol love your friend’s book as well. Looking forward to making cardboard portraits!
Savannah Stewart
October 21, 2016 at 3:26 pmThose cardboard portraits are just stunning!
Tracy
October 21, 2016 at 3:37 pmLove the vivid colors and fun ideas.
Aimee
October 21, 2016 at 3:43 pmLove this project! Think this will be so much fun for our afterschool outreach program.
Laura Ilardo
October 21, 2016 at 3:57 pmThese are great ideas to do with my little one! Thanks for the suggestions.
Lisa Hebdon
October 21, 2016 at 4:38 pmCongratulations! The trailer was really cute and my kids and I got excited about making a cardboard cake to decorate. Art is fun!
Sara Levasseur
October 21, 2016 at 5:29 pmThis looks like so much fun. I’m always looking for creative ideas to share with my 6 year old daughter.
Linda WItt
October 21, 2016 at 5:32 pmI love the ideas of the cardborad masks. I am a mental health therapist who works with children and adolescents. I can see using this activity in a very therapeutic way
Joanna
October 21, 2016 at 5:40 pmI do not consider myself an artsy person, so I can use all the help I can get, and this book looks like just the ticket! I also have both of your books, Jean, and I love them! Thanks for helping me along in the art dept!!! :)
Stacy
October 21, 2016 at 6:18 pmThe book sounds so interesting!
Sue
October 21, 2016 at 6:20 pmThis book looks fantastic! My grandchildren and I have so much fun creating. I can use some new ideas! Thanks for the giveaway.
Jenn A
October 21, 2016 at 7:08 pmAwesome idea! I could really use a resource like this for my art loving child.
Shirley Gilchrist
October 21, 2016 at 8:00 pmThe cardboard faces are quite a nifty project.
I think the book will encourage me to do more art activities with my grandchildren.
Karla Pamanes
October 21, 2016 at 8:09 pmI love the masks! and would love to win a book! :)
Nora
October 21, 2016 at 8:21 pmWow! This looks like such a fun book!
Jenn Christensen
October 21, 2016 at 9:47 pmThis looks like so much fun! I’m constantly looking for new art ideas. My son has autism and loves painting and glue. Anything slimy and sticky goes all over his hands!
Margaret
October 21, 2016 at 9:51 pmLove working on art projects togethers and sharing our creations.
Nikkie M
October 21, 2016 at 10:05 pmLove this project!! And your book looks so interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Sarah
October 21, 2016 at 10:32 pmLooks like an amazing book!
Tiffany
October 21, 2016 at 11:32 pmI love your ideas an my kids do too. Thanks for such a lovely blog! Even if I don’t win a copy, I’ll definitely check out this new book. ?
petra paukova
October 21, 2016 at 11:59 pmI love your ideas. I am working with kids with autism an have to simplyfy a lot. Card board portraits are perfect! I am gonna to win this book. I am gonna to win this book. I am gonna to win this book!!!!! ;)
Katie Wurtz
October 22, 2016 at 12:17 amI love these ideas and they’re inspiring me to do more art projects with our son – thank you! ;-)
Janet Paech
October 22, 2016 at 2:55 amBeauty in in the eyes of the beholder and the little hands that create it. With a dob of paint here, and blob glue there and giggles everywhere a happy world is is ours to be apart of. I run a family daycare at home and when the children have returned to their own home and I reflect on our day my laugh muscles ache. Thanks for inspiring me to inspire them.
Jayanthi
October 22, 2016 at 4:53 amWow…looks like it is a very fun project and all the faces turned out great! I am sure the kids had loads of fun. Can’t wait to try myself! Thanks for sharing.
Teodora
October 22, 2016 at 8:25 amAnother inspirational activity! Thank you for sharing!
Teodora
October 22, 2016 at 8:26 amGorgeous! I love all the activities you share! Thank you!
Linda Maxwell
October 22, 2016 at 10:17 amLooks like the kind of resource I need. Homeschooling two grandchildren (twins age 12) and three great grands from 9 to 5 years. The projects look adaptable to various skill and interest levels.
Peggy Graceffa
October 22, 2016 at 10:56 amI love when the masks we wear are made from the stuff of our creative imagination — portraits as hand-made expressiveness almost as sweet as those real faces pleased with their creations. Love our collective beauty; thanks for sharing.
Plette
October 22, 2016 at 10:56 amThis would be a welcome book for our granddaughter a budding artist with lots of talent.
Chryselle
October 22, 2016 at 1:20 pmThis looks like such a fun project and is a great way to recycle bits of cardboard lying around!
Andrew Doyle
October 22, 2016 at 6:04 pmLove this post! I’m planning an after school art class next semester and that book looks terrific!
Caro Luzzatto
October 22, 2016 at 6:06 pmLove the open-ended nature of this project! I’m thinking about trying this with “monster faces” because my students are so intrigued with extra eyes and fangs!
Christine
October 22, 2016 at 9:16 pmSuch a great idea — especially given it’s close to Halloween. Not that anytime of year isn’t great for monsters:->
Susie Sung
October 22, 2016 at 6:30 pmI teach 4th grade and have 4 daughters. This would be a great book to have.
Christine
October 22, 2016 at 9:14 pmAt my son’s school they do a few rounds of self portraits each year in art class. The life-size cardboard renditions would make a fun twist on the project. I am excited to read more of the projects and ideas in this book!
Karen
October 22, 2016 at 10:10 pmWhat a great idea- already put it to use today!!
Jenn Butcher
October 23, 2016 at 1:52 amThese look like a super fun craft! And the book looks marvelous!
Erin Browning
October 23, 2016 at 8:34 amLove the 3D eyes!
Connie Allen
October 23, 2016 at 3:32 pmI LOVE the quote by Betsy McKenna about cultivating the dawning of children’s creativity! What an awesome joy!
Julie Jones
October 23, 2016 at 6:34 pmThis book looks lovely… I would love a copy for some inspiration for my work as a preschool teacher.
Julia
October 23, 2016 at 7:21 pmI teach an art class for homeschool co-op with ages 5-8 and this book looks very inspiring and practical, too.
colleen Talbot
October 23, 2016 at 10:09 pmOh My Gosh i would love to win this book, you teachers are so inspiring. Im an artist living Australia, and am contemplating teaching kids art classes, and have been gathering ideas, which is totally fun. Love your website thanks for sharing.
Patricia Hauschild
October 24, 2016 at 11:46 amIronically, I was admiring this book over the weekend. Amazon sent me the update on it.
It looks perfect for my Montessori elementary art classes, as well as the projects I enjoy with my grandchildren:)
“Pick me! Pick Me! :)”
Emily
October 24, 2016 at 12:58 pmHello from another Montessori art teacher! I would love to connect and chat about where you teach and what you’re up to in your classes! I am located in Ann Arbor, MI. If you’d like, my email is [email protected]. Would love to hear from you! – Emily
Edye
October 24, 2016 at 12:46 pmWhat a great book! Thanks for the giveaway.
Emily
October 24, 2016 at 12:56 pmThis book looks amazing! I am an art teacher teaching toddlers – 8th graders and I have a feeling I would find some great inspiration in this book!
Natasha
October 24, 2016 at 2:10 pmThis looks like so much fun! We will certainly be trying this out at our house. I have 2 art loving kids, so the book would be awesome!
Tunde
October 24, 2016 at 2:23 pmI would love to win this book, sooo inspiring. I have 2 kids who would truly enjoy making all those fun things. Thanks for the giveaway. Tunde
Tammy Page
October 24, 2016 at 2:39 pmWhat a beautiful book! We truly believe it’s all about the process and that it’s important that everyone’s masterpiece is unique and special and unlike anyone else’s. This book would be perfect in our classroom.
Maria
October 24, 2016 at 3:24 pmLove this blog. Will love to have this book.
Lindsey Parker
October 24, 2016 at 3:36 pmMy daughters would love this book! We’d have so much fun!
Gina Bell
October 24, 2016 at 3:43 pmLooks like a great book to have!!
Jessica
October 24, 2016 at 6:12 pmThis look so amazing! I am a volunteer art teacher at my children’s Montessori school, this would be such an asset to my tools.
Erika
October 24, 2016 at 6:20 pmWhat an amazing art project! So expressive!
Megan
October 24, 2016 at 11:02 pmThis looks so fun!
Tracey Leys
October 25, 2016 at 8:22 pmI really want this book! Beautiful, beautiful cardboard portraits. Want to try this project with my first graders.
Emily
November 17, 2016 at 10:06 pmThanks for the post! Bummed I missed the giveaway, but glad the book is now out there!
-Emily
Jean Van't Hul
November 19, 2016 at 6:03 amYes! It’s a great book, Emily!
Ava
September 2, 2017 at 9:43 amWhat a beautiful, colorful, inspirational book of art ideas! If I’m not a lucky winner, I will definitely be purchasing!