Draw a Grinch-inspired self portrait in one art class. Students use markers and crayons to explore expressive eyes and create their own holiday character.

Grinch-inspired Self Portrait

If you’re looking for a Christmas art project that gives students room to make their own choices, try a Grinch-inspired self portrait. Encourage students to include a detail their classmates would recognize, like their favorite glasses, their curls, or the sweatshirt they wear every chance they get. Then they can see how a sideways glance or a crooked grin gives their portrait a little Grinch mischief.

Teachers seemed to have so much fun with my Tim Burton-inspired self portrait that I wanted to try the idea again for Christmas. This Grinch-inspired self portrait gives students another chance to draw themselves as a character. It takes about one art class and uses supplies you probably already have.

Start With the Eyes

Before students begin their portraits, have them draw two pairs of eyes on scrap paper. In the first pair, have the pupils look straight ahead. In the second, move both pupils to one side and tilt the eyebrows. Ask your students which pair looks like it belongs to someone with a secret plan.

That little warm-up gives students a chance to see how much a few lines can say. When they start their portraits, they can decide whether their Grinch looks sneaky, grumpy, or quite pleased with whatever mischief they’ve just pulled off.

Give Each Grinch a Look of Their Own

The step-by-step tutorial includes four different examples of how students could finish their self portrait. You can encourage your students to mix and match the details they like. Then ask them to add one clue that would help a classmate recognize them. A favorite hair clip, a missing tooth, or the stripes on a much-loved sweater can do the trick.

If you’re reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas! with your class, pause on an illustration and ask what Dr. Seuss drew to help readers guess what the Grinch is thinking. It’s a quick way to connect the book to the drawing.

If you try this with your students, I’d love to see what a wall full of little Grinches looks like!

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Materials

Crayola Twistables Crayons for Kids

(24ct) Essential School Supplies for Girls & Boys, Toddler Coloring, Less Mess, Back to School Gifts for Kids. *Note: I may earn a commission if you buy through the link.