Make an abstract self portrait drawing in the style of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, an Austrian artist who devoted his life to the mix of nature and art.

Finished painting of a Hundertwasser Self Portrait

Friedrich Stowasser (1928 – 2000), better known by his pseudonym Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser, was an Austrian artist and architect who also worked in the field of environmental protection.

His adopted surname is based on the translation of “sto” (the Slavic word for “one hundred”) into German. The name Friedensreich has a double meaning as “Peace-realm” or “Peace-rich” (in the sense of “peaceful”). Therefore, his name Friedensreich Hundertwasser translates directly into English as “Peace-Realm Hundred-Water”.

As an architect, Hundertwasser stood out as an opponent of any kind of standardization. His best known work is the Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna, Austria, which is admired for its imaginative vitality and uniqueness.

Hundertwasser’s artistic vision expressed itself in paintings, environmentalism, postage stamps, flags, and even clothing design. He was a fan of bright colors and organic forms, even to the point to rejecting any kind of straight lines in his designs.

This portrait tutorial borrows Hundertwasser’s style of drawing faces, especially the distinctive eyes and mouth that can be seen in many of his paintings like THIS ONE. It’s a fun look for children to try on, as it is bold and colorful, yet still very simple and easy to draw.

Friedrich Hundertwasser has a life story that is pretty amazing, and I encourage both students and teachers to learn much more about him.