August Art Projects
A Collection of Art Projects for August
August is a month of transition, making it the perfect time for art projects that blend back-to-school themes with the last bright days of summer. These lessons include popular name art, self portraits, school subjects, apples, sunflowers, and seasonal nature projects that help students ease into classroom routines while still having plenty of room for creativity and personal expression. Whether teachers are looking for a welcoming first-week activity, a colorful bulletin board project, or an easy lesson connected to the season, this collection offers plenty of engaging choices for elementary students.
Doodle Name
An easy, highly personal first-week project that works across a wide grade range. Students turn stick-letter names into block letters and decorate them with colorful doodles.
Lego Self Portrait
Familiar, playful, and less intimidating than a traditional portrait. Students simplify themselves into LEGO-style shapes.
Pattern Self Portrait
A strong first-week lesson that combines portrait drawing with patterns, color, and personal expression.
My Goals Self Portrait
Combines drawing, writing, and goal setting, making it especially useful during the first days of school.
Sunglasses Self Portrait
Students draw themselves and fill the lenses with favorite activities, interests, goals, or summer memories.
Doodle Self Portrait
MStudents add labels, captions, patterns, and clues about themselves. The notebook-paper format makes it feel especially appropriate for August.
Minecraft Self Portrait
A recognizable theme that lets students create portraits without worrying about realistic facial details.
Abstract Self Portrait
A colorful choice for introducing shape, line, proportion, and creative interpretation.
Draw a Self Portrait
A useful foundational lesson for teachers who want to introduce basic facial proportions early in the year.
Nate Williams Self Portrait
A contemporary, pattern-filled portrait lesson that combines art history with personal storytelling.
Modigliani Self Portrait
Students can explore elongated faces and simplified features while learning about a famous artist.
Tim Burton Self Portrait
The exaggerated eyes and stylized features make this especially appealing to older elementary students.
School Bus
One of the clearest August subjects and an easy way to connect transportation drawing with the return to school.
Pizza Box Art Storage
A practical beginning-of-the-year project that gives students a place to store artwork throughout the term.
Apple
A classic school symbol that also introduces observational drawing, plant cycles, and the transition toward fall.
Basket of Apples
A slightly more developed apple project that teaches overlapping, layering, and composition.Â
Sunflower Painting
Sunflowers are at their peak in late summer, and this lesson adds a natural Van Gogh and expressive-brushwork connection
Summer Beach
A good way for students to hold onto summer or illustrate a favorite summer memory during the opening weeks of school.
Cicada
A timely August nature-study project that can connect art with insect anatomy, observation, and seasonal sounds
Draw a School
A natural August project that gives younger students straight-line practice while introducing shapes, symmetry, and familiar school surroundings.
