Introduce your students to Pablo Picasso, one of the most influential artists of all time and a pioneer of the Cubist movement.

In this engaging art history lesson, students will discover how Picasso transformed the art world by breaking traditional rules and encouraging artists to see familiar objects in entirely new ways. They will learn about his fascinating life, his famous Blue and Rose Periods, the influence of African masks on his work, and how Cubism changed the course of modern art.

Students will explore concepts such as multiple perspectives, abstract art, colour, shape, and artistic expression while discovering why Picasso remains one of the most recognised artists in history.

After the lesson, students can choose from three Picasso-inspired art projects designed to suit different ages, abilities, and classroom settings.

What’s Included:

• Child-friendly biography of Pablo Picasso
• Introduction to Cubism and Modern Art
• Discussion of Picasso’s Blue Period and Rose Period
• Exploration of African mask influences on Cubism
• Information about Picasso’s partnership with Georges Braque
• Introduction to abstract art and perspective
• Discussion of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and Guernica
• Fun facts about Picasso’s life and career
• Geography connections to Spain and France
• Three differentiated art project options
• Printable face and shape templates
• Step-by-step project instructions
• Student artwork examples
• Gallery walk ideas and reflection questions

Art Project Options

Option 1: Cubist Face Collage
A simple cut-and-paste project using colourful geometric shapes to create playful Cubist portraits.

Option 2: Picasso-Inspired Portrait Drawing
Students create their own Cubist portrait using multiple viewpoints, bold colours, and expressive shapes.

Option 3: Mixed-Media Cubist Portrait
A combination of collage and drawing techniques for a more advanced creative project.

Learning Focus

• Cubism and Modern Art
• Abstract art and multiple perspectives
• Shape, colour, and composition
• Creative thinking and artistic experimentation
• Art history and cultural connections
• Confidence in self-expression

Perfect for primary art lessons, home education, art clubs, enrichment programmes, and studies of influential artists and modern art movements.

Please note: Due to copyright restrictions, images of Picasso’s original artworks are not included. A list of recommended artworks to view online is provided throughout the lesson to support classroom discussion and analysis.