drawing assignment for middle school

*Grades 6-8

We’ve listed all of our Middle School art lesson plans here. These activities are best suited for Grades 6-8 – or – ages 11-14 years. Grade levels are given as a guideline only.

Oil Pastel Hearts

K-2, Grades 3-5, Middle School

Black Capped Chickadees

By Andrea Mulder-Slater Charley Harper was an incredible artist and illustrator who is best known for his stylized, simplified interpretations of nature and wildlife. Students will learn about Charley as …

Snacking Cardinals

by Andrea Mulder-Slater Charley Harper was an incredible artist and illustrator who is best known for his stylized, simplified interpretations of nature and wildlife. Students will learn about Charley as …

by Andrea Mulder-Slater Mandalas help to bring balance, peace and calm. This makes creating them a perfect activity for children (and adults) of all ages. This lesson uses readily available …

Getting to Know You

by Andrea Mulder-Slater The first days and weeks of school can be exciting and terrifying, all at once. Arming yourself with a few “getting to know” you exercises can help …

Design Your Own Nutcracker

by Andrea Mulder-Slater Nutcracker dolls symbolize good luck in German tradition, but where did they come from? This drawing lesson will teach children the answer to this question, and more. …

Drawing with Glue

by Andrea Mulder-Slater If you are looking for a sure fire way to get a great response from your students, walk into the art room and tell them they will …

Gingerbread Village

By Andrea Mulder-Slater Every year my daughter and I decorate a gingerbread house (or two, or three). We don’t bake from scratch, but instead work with pre-baked, pre-cut slabs of …

A Cup of Cocoa

by Andrea Mulder-Slater The only thing better than chocolate, is chocolate in a cup! Big mugs of hot chocolate (or hot cocoa) are the theme of this cozy art lesson. …

Paper Pumpkins

by Andrea Mulder-Slater Here’s a super quick way to make paper pumpkins that look real enough to pick! [This is a small snippet of a lesson we have inside The …

6 Ways to Make Sketchbooks

by Andrea Mulder-Slater When I was a student at art school, my drawing professor had one rule and that was to draw, every single day. From her I learned there …

Pop Art Owls Drawing Art Lesson with Video Tutorial

K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Glue Flowers

Negative Space Plant Drawings

Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, High School

Criss Cross Doodles

by Andrea Mulder-Slater Using materials found in every art room, students will draw criss cross lines to create shapes for doodles to live! Then, by following a few basic prompts, …

Design a Miniature Garden

K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8

Architecture Mood Board

Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12

Draw and Paint a Sea Turtle

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Best Ed Lessons

The Best Free Educational Lessons for Homeschool, Primary, Middle and High School Students and Teachers – we are non-profit, no fees, no ads

35 Art Lessons and Projects for Middle School – HS

Here are 35 wonderfully written art lessons and projects for student in middle school and high school. These handouts were created by S. Wagner-Marx, and teach and cover a range of areas that will stretch artistic abilities and skills. You can also check out all of our  Art related pages here .

Abstract Watercolor Paintings Animal Collage Ceramic Lanterns Ceramic Ocarinas (Whistles) Cezanne Still Life Clay Looms and Weaving Common Threads Emotional Portraits Environmental Art Etched Mirror Figure Sculptures Futuristic Cityscape Gargoyles and Grotesques George Segal Inspired Figure Sculpture Illuminated Letter Japanese Batik Lanterns Multi-Stage Print Nested Glass Sculpture Notan Pop-Art ala Roy Lichtenstein Recycled Assemblage Sculptures Repousse Mask Design Repousse Masks Sacred Circles Scranimals Self-Portrait in Style of Modigliiani Silly Faces Book Social Issues Print Soda Can Stages Spirit Vessels Surreal Hand Drawing Surrealist Collage Drawing Surrealistic Imagery Tile Boxes Zoomorphic Tripod Vessel

– love learning -your best ed lessons guide, Scott

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Middle School Art Lessons By Subject

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25 Unique Art Projects for Middle Schoolers

It’s time to get creative!

The benefits of art education are further reaching than many people realize. Besides boosting students’ creative-thinking skills, engagement in the arts can help students improve their performance in other areas, including math and reading. It can also help with critical thinking, concentration, confidence, and motivation. Since learning about different art movements and mediums are important parts of art education, we gathered a list of diverse and interesting art projects for middle schoolers. Give one a try during your next art class!

1. Giant-sized comic strip

Regardless of your artistic abilities, creating comic strips is a fun way to express yourself. We especially love the idea of getting down on the floor and creating a larger-than-life story. You can also use this as a collaborative art project and have different groups of students tackle different parts of a story that you come up with together as a class.

Learn more: Make Your Own Giant Comic Strip at What Do We Do All Day?

2. Oil pastel candles

Before tackling this project, have your students try out creating oil pastel gradients in their sketchbooks. Then, use a guided drawing to have students draw their candle shape and size on blue pastel paper. This is so creative because while everyone has the same subject matter, no two candles and no two flames will look the same.

Learn more: Oil Pastel Candle Art Lesson at That Art Teacher

3. Mixed-media collage

Before doing this project, teach your students about a number of different collage artists. Then, have students thoughtfully compile different things to include in their collage. This project is particularly personal and will reflect each student’s individuality.

Learn more: Mixed Media Collage at Anita Sagastegui

4. Animal mosaics

Some art projects for middle schoolers are complex but well worth the effort. This is one of those projects since it is part carpentry and part art. Students will learn to safely use plywood, electric jigsaws, and sanders to create these spectacular animal mosaics. You’ll also want to teach kids a bit about the history of mosaic art.

Learn more: All in Pieces at Davis Art

5. 3D snowflakes

Get your free 3D snowflake template at the link below and then get crafting. We all remember making paper snowflakes at school or at home, but these 3D snowflakes really take this beloved project up a level. Add sparkles and sequins and you have some gorgeous classroom decor for the winter months.

Learn more: Stunning 3D Snowflake Craft at Kids Craft Room

6. Faux stained glass

While this project can be done by kids as young as toddlers, it’s also a fun project for middle schoolers. Hand out pieces of wax paper and then have students dab on large, thick piles of paint. Next, take bottle caps and have them push the paint into the wax paper for a stained-glass effect. Finally, once dry, have your students use a Sharpie to define designs throughout. Once dry, hang in the window for a dazzling effect.

Learn more: Stained Glass at Happy Hooligans

7. Neuro-Doodle designs

This is a perfect lesson for teaching about line quality and weights while also experimenting with different mediums. We love middle school art projects that give students experience with a variety of materials, and this one does just that! Students will try their hand at using felt-tip black markers, watercolor paints, colored markers, and colored pencils.

8. Figure drawing

Drawing from life is always ideal, especially when the human body is involved. Middle school students are at an ideal age to learn to sketch different poses quickly. And charcoal makes for an ideal medium.

9. Bubble wrap trees

Learning to paint can feel daunting to some students, but it definitely doesn’t have to be! Introducing students to acrylic paint before oil paint is often the best way to go. This art project uses unconventional materials like bubble wrap for a fun and somewhat easy painting project.

10. Art history timeline

The visual arts are an important part of an art education, but middle school art projects should include art history as well. This project combines both. Have students select an artist or time period and then have them create a timeline like the sample at the link below. Then have them present their timelines to the entire class.

Learn more: Art History Timeline at Hey That’s My Art Teacher

11. Self-portraits

Art projects for middle schoolers that force kids to think deeply are some of our favorites. This project teaches a typical art lesson like how to create a self-portrait but makes it more personal through additional imagery and words.

Learn more: The Real Me Art Lesson at Art With Mrs. E.

12. Yarn painting

Yarn, scissors, heavy paper, and glue are all you need to create these pretty yarn paintings. Well, maybe that and also a hefty dose of patience. This is a project that will likely take a couple of classes to complete. Art projects for middle schoolers like this one provide students with a lot of opportunity to individualize their works through creative choices.

13. Texture relief

Before working on this project, teach your students a bit about texture, and show them lots of examples of artworks that include different textures. Have students bring in different items to include as part of the texture in their project (think leaves, sticks, burlap, etc.). Then, have them cover those items in tinfoil, being careful to reveal all of the different surfaces. Once that step is done, they will need to apply black paint to the surface of the tinfoil. Once dry, have them use steel wool to reveal the texture. These make for an impressive finished product.

14. Wire stocking sculpture

This idea is so unique and it yields impressive results. Build off a lesson on cubism and sculpture by having your students construct sculptures from a soft block of wood, a wire coat hanger, a nylon stocking, and some paint.

15. Playing cards with a twist

We love art projects for middle schoolers that require patience, creativity, and even communication. To begin, students are tasked with coming up with a design for a playing card that involves an animal. They initially design just the top part of the playing card and then use tracing paper to replicate the design onto the rest of the card. Finally, pair up students and have them explain how to execute their original design to someone else.

Learn more: A Playing Card With a Twist at Just Your Everyday Art Teacher

16. Pop art candy paintings

This is the perfect project to pair with a lesson on the pop art movement. And all you need is some tempera paint and a black Sharpie.

Learn more: Pop Art! Candy Paintings at Art at Becker Middle School

17. Fingerprint self-portraits

Before working on this project, have students gather old magazines to bring in for inspiration. To begin, have students go through the magazines to find words that appeal to them and describe themselves. Then, have them draw the outline of their fingerprint on a piece of paper and paste the words down.

18. Vortex drawings

Learning to draw vortexes is a fun exercise that is developmentally appropriate for middle schoolers! Follow the video tutorial above.

19. Mixed-media still life

Students will love the agency they have over this project since they get to choose what materials to use for their mixed media (newspaper, magazines, cardboard, etc.). Learning to draw from a still life setup is a vital part of any art education, and we think the addition of the mixed media really ups the ante.

20. Skyline printmaking

Printmaking is a fun lesson to teach at any age, but we think it is perfect for middle schoolers. This project begins with creating a stamp of a cityscape out of a foam plate and then transferring it to paper using a paint roller. You may choose to have students begin this lesson by painting their background first with watercolors. 

Learn more: Printmaking at Painted Paper Art

21. One-point perspective

Learning about perspective is certainly one of the foremost lessons in any art education. This video does a good job teaching how to use one-point perspective to re-create a school hallway.

22. Keith Haring–inspired art

Keith Haring was easily one of the most influential artists of the 1980s. His legacy includes bringing graffiti art into the mainstream as well as drawing attention to the AIDS epidemic. This video is a good introduction to the artist and his work and even includes a visual art lesson on how students can create their own Haring-inspired artwork.

23. Pop art sculpture

The main objective of this project is to task your students with creating a 3D television sculpture in a pop art style. Have them bring in an empty shoebox and then provide them with a number of different materials. Before getting started, be sure to go over background, middle ground, and foreground.

Learn more: Prime Time Televisions at Davis Art

24. Personalized soda can label

This art project is simple, and it teaches students about marketing and brand design. Just have students design their very own soda can label complete with text and corresponding images.

Learn more: Personal Soda Can Label at The Art of Education University

25. Water droplet drawing

This is a great lesson on creating dimension on a flat surface. It also introduces students to the concept of shading. Your students will get a kick out of watching their water droplets come to life using nothing more than a pencil and paper.

What are your favorite middle school art projects to do in the classroom? Come and share your ideas in our  We Are Teachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus,  get ideas for collaborative art projects.

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Make a Mark Studios

My Favorite Middle School Art Projects

After a decade of teaching high school art, I’ve recently moved to teaching middle school art. It’s a blast and there is truly NEVER a dull moment. Through some trial and error, I’ve learned that some projects are more engaging than others. Below are some of my favorite middle school art projects that have yielded engagement and great visual end products! The ideas below use a variety of art media and include a range of 2d and 3d art projects. I hope you enjoy! Feel free to comment below if you’d like to share some of your personal idea for successful middle school art projects.

#1- 3D Shadowbox Collages

Student goal: Use found collage images to create layers of depth inside a 3D foam core shadowbox. Click here for the full lesson of this 3d shadowbox collage project.

#2- Colored Light Self Portraits

Student goal: Use colored pencils on toned paper to draw a self portrait of yourself photographed with a colored light source (we used 3 light sources- red, blue and green bulbs). Click here for more information about this lesson using colored light sources.

A variation with a cropped composition on expressive eyes.

#3- Vortex Drawings

Student goal: Use a media of your choice to draw a vortex that shows depth, rhythm and movement. Click here for a full lesson on how to draw a variety of vortexes.

#4- Alien Point of View Perspective Drawings

Student goal: Use paint stix, oil pastels, or colored pencils to render an exaggerated “alien’s point of view” space drawing. Click here for free lesson a guided worksheet of this fun, alien perspective drawing.

#5- 1/2 Cartoon Face Digital Portraits

Student goal: With a photographed portrait, creatively divide the face in half and use digital drawing methods to stylize one side as a cartoon. Click here for free guided steps on how to do the 1/2 cartoon face portrait.

*This project was inspired by a viral challenge called #cartoonme. Lots of cool inspiration photos online!

#6- Plaster Masks

Student goal: Using plaster strips upon a cardboard armature, create a wearable 3d mask. **In my class, we connected this to Hispanic heritage month and created Sugar Skull and Alebrije masks. We used this free template to create the armature for the mask.

#7- Elements of Art Project

Student goal: Divide one subject into seven sections. In each section, illustrate each of the elements of art using a variety of materials. For more information on this lesson including step by step directions, click here.

#8- Monochromatic Posterized Portrait Paintings

Student goal: Using a portrait of your choice, create a monochromatic, posterized portrait. **We used this method (with the free webpased program Pixlr) to digitally posterize our photo references prior to drawing and painting them on canvas.

#9 Limited Color Scheme Landscapes

Student goal: Using a random color scheme of only 5 colors, create a composition of a landscape that shows a sense of space with foreground, mid ground and background. ** Click here to check out how I randomly assign students their 5 colors and their landscape setting. There is also a free guided video to show students how to begin this project.

#10 Surreal Collage Perspective Rooms

Student goal: Draw a room with accurate 1 point perspective techniques and add color to all sides of the room. Then, creatively incorporate surreal collage images into the room. Click here to check out my FREE guided step by step instructions on how to draw a 1 point perspective room interior.

#11- Open ended art challenges

Student goal: Using a random art challenge prompt (such as the #blendartchallenge) , artists will use a style and medium of their choice to compose a solution.

#12-Monster Dolls (inspired by kid drawings)

Student goal: Using a drawing of a monster from a young child for inspiration, create a hand sewn stuffed animal. Use a variety of materials including felt, cloth, yarn, buttons, and more!

#13- Wire Stocking Sculptures

Student goal: Using a block of wood as your base and a nylon stocking stretched over a manipulated wire hanger, create an interesting 3d form. Use acrylic paint to create a gradient of at least 3 colors.

This is a really popular project, if you are looking for step by step directions a quick google search of ‘wire stocking sculptures’ should get ya there!

#14- Dictionary Page Drawings

Student goal: Given a random dictionary page, find at last one word on the page to illustrate visually. Use a variety of art media to contrast your drawn image with the busy background. ** For more info on this lesson, check out this link here.

#15- Geometric Creatures

Student goal : On a watercolor wash background, draw a silhouette of a creature. Break your creature into polygonal shapes and add color with marker.

#16- Collaborative School Logo “Quilt” Drawings

Student goal: Create a quilted tile section of the school logo. Use a material of your choice and a style of your choice to show your individual personality. **Note, the entire logo is visually connected by the black lines.

#17- Faux Lined Paper Illusion Drawings

Student goal: On a white piece of paper, create a “faux” lined piece of paper with bending blue lines over a shaded pencil drawing. **My students used this awesome website by Julianna Kunstler to aid in our drawings. It was very helpful.

#19 Linoleum block printing

Student goal: Create high contrast prints using a hand carved linoleum block.

#20-Oil Pastel Dragon Eyes

Student goal: Use oil pastels to create a colorful drawing of dragon eye. Imply the texture of the scales through use of blending gradients. **Note- I am definitely not the teacher who created this idea, it’s pretty popular and oh-so-fun! I would love to credit whoever originally got this going, so let me know! My students used t his resource by Art by Ro to help us draw the dragon eyes.

#21- Line Drawing Landscapes-in-a-shape

Student goal: Create a landscape in a shape that shows a sense of depth. Explore a variety of line drawing techniques such as hatching and stippling to add texture and value. **Note, this lesson comes from this post from Cassie Stephens who was inspired by an artist named Jen Aranyi.

#22- ANYTHING op art!

Student goal: Choose from a choice board (I gave them lots of choices!), create an original op art drawing! **If you are interested in a fun op art drawing from Make a Mark Studios, check it out here! 🙂

#23 Art History Reproductions

Student goal: Analyzing the brushstrokes, colors, and composition, recreate a famous artwork. **We created ours on our ceiling tiles as our 8th grade legacy works. C lick here for tips we learned along the way for painting on ceiling tiles.

#24 Non Objective Abstract Art

Student goal: Use sharpie to draw a non objective abstract artwork with a variety of lines and shapes. Using oil pastels, color in the composition fully.

#25 3D Creature Heads

Student goal: Use recyclables to build an armature of a 3d fictional creature head of your own imagination. Use paper mache or plaster strips to finalize your head . For full lesson on how to do this, check out my blog post here—

#26 Glowing Light Bulb Drawing

Student goal: Use colored pencils on black paper to create the illusion of a glowing light bulb. For step by step guided tutorial and video, check out my full post here.

#27 Watercolor Mosaic

Student goal: Create a mosaic using cut tiles from a painted watercolor background. Explore either random polygonal tile shapes or a geometric repeated shape. For full lesson, check out my blog post here.

#28 2 point perspective graffiti wall

Student goal: Create a personalized graffiti tag on an illustrated 2 point perspective brick wall. For a FREE full guided drawing lesson of how to do this, check out my blog post here.

#27 Bauhaus Geometric Shape Paper Collages

Student goal: Create an asymmetrically balanced, geometric Bauhaus-inspired paper collage. For more info on this creative shape challenge, check out my blog post here.

#28 Mixed Media Abstract Art with EMPHASIS

Student goal: Create a mixed media abstract artwork that employs the principle of design EMPHASIS to create a defined focal point. For more info on this lesson, c heck out my blog post here.

#29 Hand Sewn Pop Tart Plushies!!

Student goal: Hand sew a pop art plushie inspired by contemporary felt artist, Lucy Sparrow! Step by step tutorial for how to sew a pop tart can be found here!

#30- Primary color, Pop Art Inspired Onomatopoeia Compositions!

Student goal: Create a composition of an onomatopoeia inspired by the pop artists using techniques such as ben day dots, primary color schemes, bold outlines, and more! Click here for the lesson on how to complete this Pop art project..

#31- Color wheel in an Eye

Student goal: Using only 3 primary colors of paint, create a color of 12 analogous colors in an iris of an eye. Click here for a step by step tutorial of how to create a color wheel in an eye.

Thanks for checking out this blog post! Please  follow Make a Mark Studios on Facebook  to keep up with the latest posts! Thanks in advance!

-Stephanie Villiotis , creator of Make a Mark Studios

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100 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love

If you’re anything like me, you can never get enough good sketchbook ideas. I’m always looking for ways to engage students so that they truly  want  to work in their sketchbooks. Whether you use sketchbooks for project planning, skill development, brainstorming, or something else, you’ll find ideas here that will work for you. My sketchbook assignments and prompts take an “all of the above” approach, making the following list well-rounded.

Want an eBook with all these prompts? Click 100 Sketchbook Prompts eBook to find it!  

The list covers many bases and is organized by category. There are prompts about animals, food, people, and other things that will spark interest among students. This list is geared toward secondary students, but you’ll find a lot here that will work for younger students as well. Take a look and see what will work best for you and your students. Add your own favorite sketchbook assignment in the comments below!

Click here  to download the list!

These prompts are an amazing place to start. However, knowing how to implement the prompts and manage students with sketchbooks is important, too! If you’d like ideas to help your students develop their creativity, drawings skills, and information retention, be sure to check out the following two PRO Packs, which can be found in our PRO Learning .

• Sketchbook Ideas that Really Work  
• Implementing Sketchnotes in the Art Room

100 Sketchbook Prompts Your Students Will Love

• Draw someone you sit by in an odd pose.
• Draw family members with things that are important to them.
• Draw yourself (or someone else) painting toenails.
• Find a quiet place in a crowd. Draw the crowd.
• Draw a relative by the light cast from a TV/Phone/Computer or other screen.
• Make a portrait of yourself in twenty years. Or in fifty years. Or both.
• Draw a masked man (or woman) that is not a superhero.
• Draw the ugliest baby you can imagine.
• Draw two sports figures–one in a dynamic pose, one in a static pose.
• Draw two self-portraits with odd expressions.
• Draw something or someone you love.
• Draw hair. A lot of it.
• Take a picture of someone near you on a bus or in a car. Draw them.
• Draw an animal eating another animal.
• Draw your art teacher in a fight with an animal.
• Draw an animal playing a musical instrument.
• There is an animal living in one of your appliances. Draw it.
• Draw a dead bird in a beautiful landscape.
• Draw something from a pet’s point of view.
• Draw an animal taking a bath.
• Draw an animal taking a human for a walk.
• Combine 3 existing animals to create a completely new creature.
• Draw a family portrait. Plot twist: It is a family of insects or animals.
• Draw the most terrifying animal you can imagine. Or the most adorable.
• Draw a pile of dishes before they get washed.
• Tighten a C-Clamp on a banana. Draw it.
• Draw a slice of the best pizza you have ever seen.
• Draw junk food and the wrapper.
• Draw your favorite food.
• Create your own restaurant. Draw the restaurant, your executive chef, and a 12-item menu.
• Draw the ingredients or process of your favorite recipe.
• Draw salt and pepper shakers.
• Draw fresh fruit or vegetables, or something fresh from the oven.
• Draw a salad.
• Draw the oldest thing in your refrigerator.
• Draw a piece of fruit every day until it becomes rotten.
• Draw everything on a restaurant table.
• Draw what is in the rearview mirror of the car.
• Draw moving water. Draw still water.
• Draw an object floating.
• Make a drawing of all of your drawing materials.
• Find a trash can. Draw its contents.
• Draw tools that belong to a certain profession.
• Draw three objects and their environments. One of the three should be in motion.
• Draw the interior of a mechanical object. Zoom in, focus on details and shading.
• Create three drawings of messes you have made.
• Draw five objects with interesting textures: wood grain, floors, tiles, walls, fabric, etc.
• Draw a collection of purses, wallets, or bags.
• Draw your favorite well-loved object or childhood toy.
• Draw a watch or another piece of jewelry.
• Draw something hideous that you keep for sentimental reasons.
• Draw something with a mirror image.

Technical Skill/Skill Development

• Draw all the contents of your junk drawer with one continuous line.
• Make a detailed drawing of a rock.
• Draw a dark object in a light environment.
• Draw a light object in a dark environment.
• Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of grass.
• Draw a transparent object.
• Draw a translucent object.
• Do several studies of eyes, noses, and mouths in a variety of poses.
• Draw an interesting object from three different angles.
• Value Studies–Draw three eggs and part of the carton with a strong light source.
• Draw three metallic objects that reflect light. Focus on highlights and reflections.
• Refraction–Create two drawings of separate objects partially submerged in water.
• Make three drawings (your choice of subject) using materials with which you are not familiar.
• Draw a piece of patterned fabric with folds.
• Draw a bridge and all of its details.

Creativity/Originality

• Draw yourself as an original superhero.
• Make a drawing that looks sticky.
• Draw a mysterious doorway or staircase.
• Draw an empty room. Make it interesting.
• Draw a flower. Make it dangerous.
• Draw an object melting.
• Draw an imaginary place, adding all kinds of details.
• Draw a gumball machine that dispenses anything but gumballs.
• Danger! Draw yourself in a dangerous situation.
• You are on the back of the bus. Figure out who is with you, where you are going, and why. Illustrate and explain.
• Draw what’s under your bed (real or imagined).
• Draw the most incredible game of hide-and-seek you can imagine.
• Create a new sport. You can improve an existing sport, combine two existing sports, or come up with something completely new.

Open-Ended Themes

• Make a drawing that is totally truthful.
• Make a drawing that lies all over the place.
• Make a drawing that is completely and utterly impossible.
• Story Illustration: Fix a story that you don’t like, or reflect/improve upon one you do.
• Let someone else choose your subject and tell you what to draw.
• Draw your greatest fear.
• Use song lyrics, quotes, or poetry to inspire a drawing.
• Find the three most useless objects you can and draw them.
• Draw an interesting form of transportation.
• Draw something for which you are thankful.
• Go somewhere new and draw what you see.
• Draw something that can’t be turned off.
• Draw something soothing.
• Draw something you think sounds or smells incredible.
• Draw something that needs fixing.
• Draw something you’ve always wanted.
• Draw something out of place.
• Draw something that should have been invented by now.
• Draw something you keep putting off, or something that causes you to procrastinate.

Does this list inspire you to take some sketchbook assignments head on in your art room? Or maybe the opposite is true and you are finding that you feel underprepared to teach drawing skills. Maybe you fall somewhere in between and you just need a little more inspiration to tweak your drawing curriculum. These are all great reasons to take a peek at our course, Studio: Drawing . The class is jam-packed with hands-on learning experiences, advanced technique tutorials, and opportunities to share and learn with art teachers just like you.

What are your favorite sketchbook prompts to use? How do you use sketchbooks in your classroom?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

Timothy Bogatz

Tim Bogatz is AOEU’s Content & PD Event Manager and a former AOEU Writer and high school art educator. He focuses on creativity development, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking skills in the art room.

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30-Days Drawing Prompts for Middle School Students

Have you ever wondered how to make art classes more engaging and fun for middle school students? Art is not just about creating beautiful paintings or sculptures; it’s about exploring creativity, expressing emotions, and developing skills. That’s why I’ve gathered 30 exciting drawing prompts for middle school students to spark their imaginations and ignite their creative fires.

From crafting self-portraits to designing imaginary places to capturing the beauty of everyday objects, these prompts are here to inspire! So, get ready to dive into creativity, innovation, and artistry. Let’s make art class the highlight of your school day!

Understanding Different Types of Drawing Materials

When it comes to improving your art skills, the diverse shapes, textures, and colors of everyday useless objects draw attention and provide excellent practice material.

Now, it’s time to get familiar with the wide array of drawing materials out there! From graphite pencils for subtle shading to vibrant watercolors for eye-catching details, every art tool offers a unique way to express your creativity. Ever tried sketching with charcoal? Its rich, deep black tones can create dramatic effects. Or how about oil pastels? They can add bold, intense color pop!

By understanding and experimenting with different materials, you’re not only honing your technical skills but also discovering new avenues of artistic expression.

So, let’s sketch, shade, and paint!

Must-Have Art Supplies for Middle School Students

So, you’re ready to unleash your artistic prowess, but what art supplies do you need? Don’t fret; I’ve got you covered! Here’s a handy list of must-haves for every middle school student’s art kit:

Graphite Pencils: Perfect for sketching and shading, they’re the backbone of any art project.

Colored Pencils: Add a splash of color to your drawings and make them pop!

Charcoal: Great for bold, dramatic sketches and portraits.

Fine Liners: Ideal for detailed drawing work and sharp lines.

Oil Pastels: Use these for vibrant, intense hues.

Watercolor Pencils: The best of both worlds. Sketch first, then add water for a painterly effect.

Remember, each tool can create a unique effect, so explore, experiment, and most importantly, have fun with your art!

Why are Drawing Prompts for Middle School Important?

Think of a classroom full of budding artists eager to express themselves. Students need drawing prompts for middle school to nurture their artistic abilities, foster self-expression, and explore their ideas. Here’s why these prompts are so important at school:

Stimulates Imagination: Drawing prompts ignite students’ imagination, encouraging them to think beyond the ordinary and explore limitless possibilities.

Enhances Observation Skills: By focusing on specific subjects or themes, drawing prompts train students to observe details, textures, and forms more keenly, honing their powers of observation.

Builds Confidence : Drawing prompts provide a structured framework for students to create and express themselves artistically. With each completed prompt, they gain confidence in their abilities and develop a sense of achievement.

Encourages Critical Thinking: Prompts often challenge students to think critically, make creative decisions, and solve problems in their artwork. This cultivates their ability to analyze and make intentional artistic choices.

Cultivates Visual Communication: Drawing prompts promote visual storytelling, enabling students to communicate their ideas, emotions, and narratives through their artwork. It fosters effective visual communication skills, a valuable asset in various fields.

Develops Fine Motor Skills: Engaging in drawing prompts enhances fine motor skills as students manipulate art materials, practice control, and refine their hand-eye coordination.

Fosters Self-Expression: Art is a powerful form of self-expression, and drawing prompts provide a platform for students to express their thoughts, feelings, and individuality through their art.

Cultivates Perseverance: Completing drawing prompts requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to embrace mistakes as part of the artistic process. It teaches students to persevere and refine their skills.

Promotes Multidisciplinary Learning: Drawing prompts can be integrated with other subjects, such as history, science, or literature, enabling students to explore connections between art and different disciplines.

Sparks Joy and Fun: Art should be enjoyable, and drawing prompts inject joy, playfulness, and excitement into the classroom. They encourage students to find pleasure in the creative process and celebrate their artistic achievements.

I remember my first drawing prompt from middle school as if a whole new world had opened up before me, filled with imagination, colors, and endless possibilities. I learned how to think outside the box, experiment with different techniques, and embrace my artistic voice through drawing prompts. Every prompt allowed me to express my emotions and ideas in a visual form, from surreal landscapes to whimsical characters.

As I escaped into my imagination and discovered the artist within, these prompts became a creative playground. With each completed prompt, I felt a sense of joy and accomplishment that shaped my artistic journey.

The purpose of drawing prompts for middle school students isn’t just to make pretty pictures; they’re a gateway to self-discovery, creativity, and growth. Young artists can explore, experiment, and develop their artistic skills while gaining confidence and passion.

30 Theme-Based Drawing Prompts for Middle School Students

1. people inspired prompts.

Engage your creative muscles by drawing inspiration from the people around you.

Draw Your Future Self: 20 or 50 Years From Now

Ever wondered how you’d look in the future? Grab your pencils and let your imagination soar. Will you be an astronaut, an artist, a scientist, or something else entirely? Have fun envisioning your future self!

Draw A Non-Superhero Masked Person

Masquerades, surgeons, or a ninja maybe? Masks hide identities, creating an aura of mystery. This prompt encourages you to explore the enigmatic world of masked personas, but remember, they’re not superheroes!

Draw The One You Love Most

Love inspires art. So, who warms your heart? It could be a parent, a friend, a pet. Capture your fondness and affection in a heartwarming sketch that speaks volumes about your bond.

Family Bonding: Draw Family Members with Fine Liners

Family is more than a shared home; it’s shared moments. Maybe it’s the Sunday family lunch or a family game night. Use fine liners to capture these familial bonds in your art. It’s a great way to cherish the everyday moments!

Draw an Odd Pose Self-Portrait Using Oil Pastels

Self-portraits are great for self-exploration. But why stick to normal poses? Try an unusual pose, perhaps a dance move or a yoga pose. Use vibrant oil pastels to give your portrait an extra creative spin.

2. Wild Imagination: Animal-Based Drawing Prompts

As a child, I was always fascinated by the animal kingdom. Their sheer variety and unique traits made my sketchpad a wild safari adventure. Let’s explore animals draw prompts.

Draw Your Perception of an Animal Eating Another Animal

I remember the first time I saw a nature documentary about a lion hunting its prey. It was a mix of terror and awe. Try capturing such an intense moment on your sketchpad, reflecting the raw circle of life in the animal kingdom.

Draw An Unexpected Family Portrait of Insects or Animals

During a summer vacation, I discovered the intricate world of ants. Their teamwork was truly fascinating. Why not try drawing a unique family portrait, but replace the people with animals or insects?

It’s a quirky and imaginative approach that allows you to depict the joyous scene of animal playing and challenges your artistic skills in bringing these lively creatures to life on paper.

Draw Your Version of the Most Adorable or Terrifying Animal

Once, I had a chance to pet the fluffiest bunny; its cuteness was hard to describe. On the other hand, I also remember being spooked by a spider at a camping trip. Try drawing the most adorable or terrifying animal from your experiences. Express your personal emotions through your artwork!

3. Culinary Creations: Food-Based Drawing Prompts

Food has always been more than sustenance for me. It’s a source of inspiration, a celebration of flavors, and a visual feast on a plate.

Draw Your Favorite Food in the Most Appetizing Way

My favorite food is sushi, a roll of vibrant colors and delicate details. Imagine drawing your favorite dish in all its glory. Capture the textures, the colors, the allure that makes it your favorite.

Draw a Slice of The Best Pizza You Have Ever Seen

There’s nothing like a perfect pizza slice with melted cheese, a zesty tomato sauce, and a crisp crust. Try to capture that mouth-watering image on your canvas. It’s an exercise in indulgence and memory.

Sketch Your Favorite Food Using Charcoal

Using charcoal for a food sketch can bring out surprising contrasts. I once sketched a bowl of ramen, and the rich shadows added depth to the broth and noodles. Go on, take your favorite food and explore it in grayscale.

Draw Junk Food Using Water Colors

Drawing a packet of fries or a juicy burger with watercolors is absolutely fun. I remember giving a watercolor wash to my sketch of a sundae. The colors melded, and it felt like flavors merging in a sweet symphony. Try it!.

4. Spark Creativity and Originality in Drawing Prompts

Art for me has always been an open canvas of creativity and imagination, where originality shines brightest.

Draw Yourself as an Original Superhero

What superpower would I have if I were a superhero? I always imagined myself with the power to create art that brings happiness. Sketch yourself as a superhero. It’s a unique way to explore your inner strengths.

Draw Your Idea of an Imaginary Place Filled with Details

I often dream of a magical forest with trees bearing rainbow leaves. Drawing such imaginary places can be an exciting dive into the depths of your creativity. Let’s see what your mind can conjure.

Draw a Scene From The Most Exciting Game of Hide and Seek

Remember that adrenaline rush during a childhood game of hide and seek? I surely do! This prompt nudges you to revisit those fun times and capture that moment in a vivid drawing.

Draw What’s Under Your Bed, Real or Imagined

What lies beneath your bed? A pair of slippers or perhaps a friendly monster? Drawing real or imagined things from your surroundings can create fascinating artwork. It’s all about perspective!

5. Enhancing Technical Skills through Skill Development Drawing Prompts

Art, for me, has not just been about creativity, but also a journey to enhance my technical skills.

Draw a Rock in Detail

Picking up a rock and noticing its intricate details have always fascinated me. Drawing a rock, with its crags and crevices, can help improve your attention to detail and texture rendering skills.

Draw a Light Object in a Dark Environment

One of the challenges I relish in art is drawing light objects in a dark environment. It provides an excellent opportunity to practice and understand the play of light and shadow.

Draw a Patterned Fabric with Folds

I remember drawing my first draped fabric - the folds, the shadows, the pattern! It’s a great way to improve your understanding of form and how light interacts with different surfaces.

Draw the Contents of Your Junk Drawer With One Continuous Line

One day I decided to tackle my junk drawer - not for organizing, but to draw. A fun and challenging way to explore composition is to draw an interesting object with one continuous line.

Draw a Translucent or Transparent Object with Graphite Pencils

Drawing a translucent or transparent object can be a bit tricky, but it’s an excellent exercise in learning to depict light and transparency. Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress and practice.

6. Everyday Inspiration: Drawing Prompts based on Common Objects

Even the most ordinary objects around us can become extraordinary subjects for our art, fueling our everyday inspiration.

Draw the Interior of a Mechanical Object

I once opened an old clock to reveal the fascinating world of gears, springs, and levers inside. Drawing the interior of a mechanical object like this is an excellent exercise in technical precision and an exploration of how things work. You’ll be amazed by the complexity hidden in everyday objects, and it’s such a rewarding challenge to capture those intricate details on paper.

Draw Your Favorite Childhood Toy

Remember the comfort and joy your favorite childhood toy brought you? I certainly do, and I find it so rewarding to revisit those feelings through art. Drawing your favorite toy not only evokes nostalgia but also provides a fun way to capture the textures and colors that made it so beloved. You might even discover some details you’ve forgotten over the years!

Draw a Collection of Bags or Purses

Drawing a collection of bags or purses can be a delightful challenge. Each bag has its own shape, texture, and personality, making each one a unique subject. It’s not just about the physical attributes, though. Every bag I’ve owned carries a bit of my personal history, making this drawing activity a creative journey through my past experiences.

Still-Life Drawing: Use Colored Pencils to Draw Everyday Objects

I’ve always found a unique charm in still-life drawing, especially with colored pencils. They allow me to capture the subtle colors and textures of everyday objects in a unique way. Plus, it’s a relaxing exercise that enhances your observation skills. Start by picking a few objects around you, arrange them into a pleasing composition, and let your creativity flow!

Explore Gravity: Draw an Object Floating Using a Ballpoint Pen

One day, I noticed a feather gently floating in the air and decided to capture this moment. This experience inspired me to explore further, prompting me to create two drawings of separate objects partially submerged in water. Drawing a floating object and those partially underwater allows us to explore the concept of gravity (or lack thereof) in our artwork. Using a ballpoint pen adds an element of excitement as it requires careful strokes and thoughtful shading to depict the object’s delicate balance in mid-air, or how water changes our perception of submerged objects. It’s a wonderful way to bring an ethereal quality to your drawings.

7. Open-Ended Themes: Encouraging Imagination and Interpretation in Art

Art, to me, is an open window to my soul. It allows me to explore my imagination and freely interpret the world around me.

Draw Something That You Are Grateful For

Drawing something I’m grateful for is always a heartwarming and introspective experience. It brings me back to the essence of why I started drawing in the first place – for the joy of it. Reflecting on gratitude while letting my pencil glide across the page is a profound way to combine creativity with mindfulness.

Draw an Invention That You Think Should Exist by Now

This prompt is one of my favorites as it merges imagination with innovation. There’s a peculiar thrill in sketching inventions that don’t exist yet but feel like they should. These creations could be anything from time-traveling shoes to automated art-making robots. This prompt allows students to dream big and let their creativity run wild, bringing the future to life on their drawing sheets.

Draw Hot Air Balloons Using Watercolor Pencils

Hot air balloons have a certain whimsical charm about them, don’t they? Using watercolor pencils to capture their vibrant colors and the serene sky in the background can be such a joy! Not to mention, it’s a great exercise in mastering the technique of layering colors to achieve depth and vibrancy.

Draw Fresh Fruit in a Cartoon Theme

I’ve always found cartoon-themed drawings to be quite fun, especially when it involves drawing fresh fruits. It’s not just about making the fruits look adorable but also about learning to use colors effectively. Plus, creating cute fruit characters lets you work on your skills in turning real-life objects into fun, cartoony versions. This could be a grinning apple or a bashful banana, letting your imagination run wild!

8. Exciting Drawing Ideas Beyond Paper

Don’t limit yourself to paper! Let’s get creative! You can take your child’s artistic skills to new heights with these easy and fun drawing ideas:

Condiment Drawing: Grab your favorite condiments like ketchup, mustard, or mayo, and use them to draw a masterpiece on a clean cookie sheet. You can remove the condiments and start over by wiping away the condiments. Shaving cream can also work wonders for this activity!

Invisible Drawing: Use glue on a Q-Tip or toothpick to draw a picture on paper. Sprinkle glitter over the wet glue, and voila! Your drawing will magically appear in sparkles.

Crayon Shaving Drawing: Get your hands on an old cheese grater and some crayons. Shave the crayons over a piece of paper, then use a hair dryer to melt the shavings. Now, let your child draw in the warm, melted wax with a wooden skewer or Q-Tip.

Dice Drawing: Create your own drawing dice by gluing words or phrases on a wooden block. Roll the dice and incorporate what it lands on into your drawing. It’s like a game of chance and creativity!

Shared Drawing: Grab a partner and take turns drawing a picture. After a set time, pass the paper to the next person to continue the drawing. Keep going until you both decide it’s complete. It’s a collaborative artwork full of surprises!

Eyes Closed Drawing: Close your eyes and imagine a picture you want to draw. Let your hand guide the pencil without seeing the paper. Open your eyes when you think it’s complete and see how it turned out.

Model Drawing: Create a sculpture or model using LEGO, blocks, clay, or any other materials. Then, try to re-create your creation through drawing. It’s a fun way to combine different artistic mediums.

Photo Drawing Fun: Choose two photos and create a drawing that incorporates elements from both. It’s like bringing two worlds together on paper.

Think Beyond the Paper: Explore different materials to draw on. Grab a coffee filter, aluminum foil, or a paper plate, and see how your artistic skills translate onto these unconventional surfaces.

You can get creative and go beyond the limits of traditional paper drawing. These ideas will surely spark your child’s imagination and make their art sessions a lot more exciting and unique! Let the fun and creativity flow with these unconventional drawing adventures.

Final Thoughts

Art is a language that transcends barriers, encouraging us to see the world through a more vibrant, imaginative, and empathetic lens. These 30-day drawing prompts for middle school students aim to do just that. While art might often be seen as a subject that allows for mess-making and doodling, it holds so much more potential. It’s a powerful tool for young minds, an explorative playground to delve into, and a platform for creative thinking and expression.

These drawing prompts are a mix of simplicity and complexity, fun, and challenge, making art class not just another period in the timetable but a lively, anticipated space for creation. I believe in the transformational power of art and how it can shape young minds to observe, create, and inspire. From simple still-life exercises to thrilling imaginative scenarios, the goal of these prompts is to ignite a sense of wonder, curiosity, and creativity among students.

From my personal experience, I’ve found that experimenting with different materials opens up a new world of possibilities while drawing themes from everyday life helps you see the extraordinary in the ordinary. The technical skills developed along the way serve as stepping stones to build upon artistic confidence.

And finally, what makes these prompts more special is the essence of personal touch. Whether it’s drawing the one you love most or envisioning your future self, it’s these individual interpretations that make each artwork unique and profound.

Art, in the end, is not just about perfecting techniques but about pouring your heart onto a canvas and creating something that’s truly yours. So let’s draw, let’s create, and let’s make art classes the vibrant hubs of creativity they’re meant to be! After all, the joy of art lies not just in the final masterpiece but in the thrilling journey of creation.

10 full body drawing reference poses for artists

Improve your human body pose drawing skills with the best full-body reference resources and guides. Here are the top 10 references for artists.

10 Creative Science Drawing Ideas for Scientific Exploration

Unlock your inner scientist with our science drawing prompts and explore the wonders of the natural world through art. Perfect for students and educators!

Thanks for reading and using our daily drawing prompts. We are a small tech team dedicated to building tools to inspire you every day.

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Art Class Curator

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Art printables, worksheets, and powerpoints.

Inside: A collection of printable art worksheets, PowerPoints, and lesson plans to use in art class. (Most of them are FREE!)

Art class should be about more than just making art! Art lessons should introduce students to a variety of works of art and allow them to explore the process, the history, and their own personal connections to the artworks they encounter.

Keeping a class full of students engaged while looking at art takes practice, confidence, inventive activities , and a variety of approaches. But most of us weren’t taught how to talk about art with kids . That’s why I’ve gathered some of my best printable art worksheets and downloads in one place! Most of these art lesson plans can be used for any grade level and there’s enough variety to keep elementary, middle, and high school students interested and intrigued.

Free Printable Art Worksheets

My favorite go-to art lessons come from the Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle .

It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3! 1. Pick an artwork 2. Print one of the Art Appreciation Worksheets 3. Watch with joy as your students connect with and interpret art

The bundle includes 25 printable art worksheets, but everyone who signs up for Your Weekly Art Break , my email newsletter full of art inspiration, gets six FREE art appreciation worksheets . Fill out the form below to receive your free art worksheets and weekly art inspiration.

Free Worksheets!

Art Appreciation Worksheets

In this free bundle of art worksheets, you receive six ready-to-use art worksheets with looking activities designed to work with almost any work of art.

Below, you’ll find a collection of the Art Class Curator posts that include art printables and downloads. These brains-on art activities will jump-start students’ critical thinking skills and breath new life into their  art projects . All of these art lesson plans are all free unless otherwise marked. Most are printable PDFs, but the ones containing PowerPoints are marked.

Free Elements and Principles Printable Pack

This pack of printables was designed to work in a variety of ways in your classroom when teaching the elements and principles of art. You can print and hang in your classroom as posters/anchor charts or you can cut each element and principle of art in its own individual card to use as a lesson manipulative. Click here to download the Elements and Principles Printable Pack.

Free Resource!

Elements & Principles Printable Pack

The Elements & Principles of Art are the foundation of every artwork, but teaching them can be a bore. Wake your students up and engage them with full color artworks, easy to understand definitions, and thought-provoking higher level thinking questions. This versatile resource can be hung in the classroom or used as an art manipulative.

Art Appreciation Printables

• Free Art Appreciation Printable Worksheet Bundle
• Art Appreciation Worksheet Bundle 25-Pack  
• I am… Dorothea Lange: Exploring Empathy
• Character Analysis Art Activity: Twitter Perspectives
• Haikus about Art
• I See, I Think, I Wonder
• “I Feel” Word Wheel: Learning Emotional Literacy in Art Education

Art Appreciation Activities & Art Appreciation Lessons

• Art Description and Drawing Activity
• Virtual Art Museum Field Trip
• Complete the Picture: An Easy Art Appreciation Game for Kids
• Interpreting the Power of the Kongo Nkisi N’Kondi

Artworks Printables

Artworks Worksheets & Artworks Activities

• Art, Horror, and The Sublime: Symbolism in Pablo Picasso’s Guernica
• Kollwitz & Cassatt: Two Views of Motherhood in Art
• Rosa Rolanda Jigsaw Art Learning Activity

Artworks Lessons

• Elements of Art Examples & Definitions
• Principles of Design Examples & Definitions
• Frida Kahlo’s The Two Fridas  Art Discussion Lesson
• Art Analysis Activity for John Gast’s American Progress
• Art Around the World in 30 Days – China
• Masterpiece Monday: Manifest Destiny Art

Art Criticism Printables

Art criticism worksheets.

• SPARK: 5 Art Criticism Steps for Inspired Art Connections and Conversations
• Art History Student Study Guide Worksheets

Art Criticism Activities

• 82 Questions to Ask About Art
• Photograph Analysis Learning Activities

Art Criticism Lessons

• 4 Steps of Art Criticism Lesson
• What is Art? – Aesthetics Lesson Bundle
• Classical Sculpture Analysis Lesson  
• Decoding Style: How to Teach Students to Read an Artwork  

Puzzles About Art Printables

Teaching students about  art and aesthetics  is a great way to make them think about art in a new way. Aesthetics puzzles ignite exciting, meaningful classroom art discussions  and flex students’ philosophical and critical thinking skills.

• Puzzles About Art: The Chimpanzee Painter
• Puzzles About Art: Call it Driftwood

More Art Printables

You can find more art lesson plans in the Art Class Curator store and on Teachers Pay Teachers . Sign up for  Your Weekly Art Break   to get six free art art worksheets and weekly art inspiration delivered to your inbox!

Get Art Inspiration To Your Inbox!

*free bundle of art appreciation worksheets*.

• Free Resources
• Register for Free

10 Art Sub Lessons that only need a Pencil

No teacher wants to be off school.  You know your students make more progress when you are there and no-one takes care of your materials and room like you do.  In reality, I like to lock everything away and leave work that only needs a pencil.  Having said that, with art being trimmed and trimmed from the curriculum in recent years, every second counts and I still want my students to make progress.  Hopefully, these 10 art sub lessons will help to reduce your workload and be prepared. The art worksheets below all:

• Come with a lesson plan.
• Link to commonly taught themes
• Are tried and tested.
• Teach valuable skills.
• Only need a pencil.
• Are only $3 or £3
• (Or are much, much less when you subscribe ).

Click on the image to purchase the resource.

Converse Grid Drawing

Encourage beautiful drawing with this converse grid drawing. Ideal as part of any drawing module or this would make an excellent homework or cover lesson to improve drawing skills. There are two versions of this grid drawing.  One where the grid lines are already in place, and one where your students draw the lines using the little marks on the edge as a guide.

The Circle Game

A great art cover or sub lesson.  Students think creatively and turn the circles into different drawings on this one-page resource.

Copy the Pattern

A popular, one page, cover/sub lessons that required all students to copy the pattern accurately. Includes lesson plan.

Inspiring Hogarth

Your students will be inspired by the characterful faces in Hogarth’s engravings!  This worksheet and lesson plan asks students to create a page of detailed drawings inspired by the faces they can see on the worksheet.  This is an excellent resource to encourage detailed observational work and will link to many portrait projects.

Drawing Dreams

The drawing dreams art lesson below is great for encouraging creative, imaginative drawing. You could also use this lesson to link to Surrealist projects as the Surrealists were sometimes inspired by their dreams.

Drawing Fruit

This drawing fruit worksheet is a must-have for natural forms projects.  High-resolution images work well in colour and when photocopied into black and white.  Use it as a sub lesson or integrate it into fruit or natural forms projects.  The accompanying lesson plan is written as a sub lesson and includes a scripted paragraph for a non-specialist.

It’s all in the Eyes!

We all teach portrait drawing units of work, so it’s good to have a portrait sub/cover lesson in your bank of resources.  This drawing eyes sub lesson is ideal.

Cross Hatching Burger

This one-page resource with lesson plan asks students to practise creating tones/values with cross hatching and then to draw the burger using cross hatching.  This has been created as a sub/cover lesson but could also be used as part of a food project. The instructions suggest using a pen but these could also be completed in pencil.

Draw the Butterfly

Draw the Butterfly sub/cover lesson is a super-useful download and will link to lots of projects you already teach.  Perhaps you already have an insect project or natural forms project? There is a worksheet that suggests pencil and another that suggests coloured pencil.

The Knot Challenge

Students love a challenge and ‘The Knot Challenge’ is certainly that!  The lesson plan comes with a script for non-art-specialists so you can use it as a sub/cover lesson too.

10 art sub lessons is a blog post about sub lessons but you can find many, many more art sub lessons on The Arty Teacher website.

Check out the Zentangle Resouces on The Arty Teacher!

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The Arty Teacher

Sarah Crowther is The Arty Teacher. She is a high school art teacher in the North West of England. She strives to share her enthusiasm for art by providing art teachers around the globe with high-quality resources and by sharing her expertise through this blog.

13 responses to “10 Art Sub Lessons that only need a Pencil”

Hello, These lessons are amazing. Unfortunately neither any sub of mine nor my students could ever make any of these projects without my direction. They are simply too detailed, involved and require the student to have been studying in a class with students that are attentive and a strong art teacher for years to be able to do these successfully. They are simply not realistic for a sub to do. And you are not alone, I see very FEW sub lessons online that a sub can do with my students. I teach in a school where many of the kids have not had an art class with a regular teacher for years. And the subs are often random people in the school who cover the class. Thank you for the wonderful ideas though. I’ll work them into my curriculum when I am able to teach them. 🙂

Hi Lydia, Thank you for your comment. I’d be interested to know what age group and what sort of school you teach in. It sounds like you are facing a challenge if many of your kids have not had an art class with a regular teacher for years. That would be very unusual here in the UK. Poor kids! I’ve used these sub lessons successfully in high school with mixed ability classes. Please do email me if you can thinks of ways that I can broaden what I offer.

Great ideas

I’m glad you like these ideas Audrie!

Do you have any sub plans that might be a little bit less detailed? I teach 5 year olds to 11 year olds (grades kindergarten to 5th) in the states. Thanks..Cindy

Hi Cindy, I have many more sub lessons here: https://theartyteacher.com/downloads/category/sub-cover-lessons/ I teach 11-18 year olds so they may be too difficult for your younger students. Some will definitely be ok for your oldest students.

Once I purchase a lesson, how does it come? A hard copy in the mail or digital and I print it?

Hi Piper, If you purchase a lesson it’s a digital download and you would need to print it. Sarah

These look so helpful! Thanks

Thank you, that’s good to hear.

Thanks, these are terrific!

Thank you, Janet. I’m glad you find them useful.

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Leah Newton Art

Explore. Discover. Create.

Creative Color Wheel

August 13, 2019 8 Comments

Leah Newton Art is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This post may include affiliate links, and I may receive a commission when you click on one of these links and make a purchase.

Middle school students will use color theory in this creative color wheel project. Designing individual parts to make a creative whole is so fun! This project covers Common Core Standards for Math for grade 7 which can be found at the end of the lesson.

Grade Level

5th, 6th, 7th, 8th grades- The examples in this lesson are by 7th graders

Objective  

In this Creative Color Wheel lesson, students will design a creative color wheel using primary, secondary and tertiary colors.

3 – 60 min lessons

Materials 

• Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple Acrylic Paint. Acrylic Paint – Crayola Washable Kids Paint Set, 10 Count
• 12×18 Watercolor paper – Canson XL Series Watercolor Textured Paper Pad for Paint, Pencil, Ink, Charcoal, Pastel, and Acrylic, Fold Over, 140 Pound, 12 x 18 Inch, 30 Sheets
• Brushes – Acrylic Paint Brush Set, 1 Packs / 10 pcs Nylon Hair Brushes for All Purpose Oil Watercolor Painting Artist Professional Kits
• Rulers (yard and foot if possible)
• Black – Tru-Ray Sulphite Construction Paper, 12 x 18 Inches, Black, 50 Sheets – 054150

Inspiration/Artist 

I was inspired to make this project from this site: Click Here

Instruction with Questions

Show a couple of videos.  I like all of these, but depending on what background they have about color theory, you may only need a couple of them.  After watching them, have a discussion reviewing what they learned.

Youtube: The Colors Song | The Colours Song | Scratch Garden: Click Here

Beginning Graphic Design: Color:  Click Here

Elements of Art: Color | KQED Arts: Click Here

Brain Games – Visible Spectrum: Click Here

Use this Color Theory for kids inspired by Disney PowerPoint Presentation: Click Here

Another idea is to use this color wheel and have them color in the areas with the appropriate color.  Click Here for the PDF

An alternate plan would be to have students cut up magazines to find colors for each area of the template.

Students divide a 12×18 size paper into three sections (4 inches apart each)

Then divide it again. They should have 12 four inch size squares.

In each corner you can see (in the image below) that I had them label each corner with R for Red, RO for Red Orange, O for Orange and so on. It just amazes me that some students will ask me what comes between green and blue. Hmmmm. Anyway, this is a great reinforcement of tertiary colors.

On separate paper plates, I labeled them the same way. Only due to time, and expense, I pre-mixed the colors and set them throughout the room like stations, but I think it is even better when they mix them themselves.

Remind them to make the paint thick but smooth. Sometimes some students went back for a second coat. As you can see from the image below, I encouraged them to leave a bit of white around each edge so the paint did not bleed or mix.

Next, on a blank 4 inch size square, preferably card stock or more watercolor paper, have them draw an image. Now that sounds pretty simple, but it actually will require some practice images first. The main thing they want to do is to make lines and designs in the image. Like a face or in this case the place the hands go on the bat and the lines on the ball. I remind them we are only doing a silhouette. Like a shadow. Only the outline. I remind them to try to fill the paper with the image. In the case of the bat, use the diagonal so the image is as large as possible. It is natural for all of us to draw “small.”

I show the students how to use a window to trace each image exactly. First have them tape their large, dry colored paper to the window with the color facing out, away from them. Then trace the image on the paper. Once they are all traced, they are cut out.

Finally, pass out pre-cut 12×12 size square black construction paper. If I did this project again, I would give them a circle to place in the middle of the paper. It is really hard to find a circle when laying out the pieces. I love the ball and bat – one student did them facing out and another student inverted them. I also love the use of paw prints to add to the design. If you have more advanced students, you could use the scraps to add a complimentary color accent onto each piece.

Here are some finished Creative Color Wheel pieces!

Common Core Standards

7th grade – math – geometry.

Draw, construct, and describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them.

• Solve problems involving scale drawings of geometric figures, including computing actual lengths and areas from a scale drawing and reproducing a scale drawing at a different scale.
• Draw (freehand, with ruler and protractor, and with technology) geometric shapes with given conditions. Focus on constructing triangles from three measures of angles or sides, noticing when the conditions determine a unique triangle, more than one triangle, or no triangle.
• Describe the two-dimensional figures that result from slicing three-dimensional figures, as in plane sections of right rectangular prisms and right rectangular pyramids.

Solve real-life and mathematical problems involving angle measure, area, surface area, and volume.

• Know the formulas for the area and circumference of a circle and use them to solve problems; give an informal derivation of the relationship between the circumference and area of a circle.
• Use facts about supplementary, complementary, vertical, and adjacent angles in a multi-step problem to write and solve simple equations for an unknown angle in a figure.
• Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, volume and surface area of two- and three-dimensional objects composed of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, cubes, and right prisms.

About Leah Newton

February 26, 2021 at 2:29 pm

September 1, 2021 at 2:40 am

I absolutely love this activity! I will be using this with my middle school art class at our homeschool co-op. Thank you!

September 2, 2021 at 11:13 pm

Thank you for the feedback. Let me know how it goes!

September 18, 2021 at 1:49 pm

I teach 5th grade and my group this year is so creative and artistic. I am not an artist and have no artistic talent, but work hard to bring quality art projects to my classes. I have searched everywhere for a creative way to teach color. This project is amazing and thanks for sharing this for teachers like me.❤️

September 19, 2021 at 7:02 pm

I am so excited you found this lesson. I hope your students enjoy it! Let me know how it goes and how else I can support you.

October 5, 2021 at 12:52 am

This is so great! We had a lot of fun with it. I let the kids mix the colours…it was chaotic and stressful for me, but when I focused on their “talk” it was all about the colours, how much of each, no that’s too green, we need more blue…etc. So the kids got a lot out of it. Thanks so much for sharing, I will definitely do this again!

October 5, 2021 at 7:02 pm

I am so glad it was so successful! Let me know how else I can support you. Thank you for reaching out!

January 28, 2024 at 5:34 pm

Nice idea and different from the norm! Thank you for sharing!

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47 Art Activities For Middle School Students: 3D Crafting, Painting, Drawing, Sculpting, And More

April 3, 2024 //  by  Eisha Mohsin

There’s nothing quite like creative art projects to break the monotonous routine of middle school students. Contrary to popular opinion, artistic ability is not an innate skill, but rather something that can be honed and developed with practice but finding art projects that are engaging and immersive can be tricky. Look no further- we’ve gathered a list of 47 art projects for middle school that your kiddos will love. Which one will you get them started on first?

1. 3D Snowflakes

This craft project is bound to be a big hit with your kiddos, especially around wintertime. All you’ll need is a few sheets of paper, ideally in varying shades of blue. Print out the snowflake template from the link above, and have them cut and stack the snowflakes onto each other for a 3D effect. Optional: decorate with glitter!

Learn More: Kids’ Craft Room

2. Line Practice

No art lesson is complete without line practice . Have your kiddies dedicate an entire lesson to just lines since this will come in handy when they’re sketching. If they need inspiration, you can us print out this handy and ask them to copy the patterns to the best of their ability.

Learn More: Kitchen Table Classroom

3. Thumbprint Art

This is a fun and versatile idea that can be tailored to suit any age group. All you’ll need is a piece of paper and some basic supplies like paints and markers. Your kiddos will love how hands-on this activity is! They get to paint with their own thumbs and be as creative as they want to with the art that they create- what’s not to love?

Learn More: Hello, Wonderful

4. Collaborative Mural

This art project idea involves giving your students large pieces of paper and acrylic paints in a vast array of colors. Divide the class into groups and let them work on this project over the course of a few lessons. Give each group full creative freedom regarding their section of the wall and watch them create a unique mural.

Learn More: What Have I Learned

5. Self-Portrait

This is an amazing activity to try with older middle schoolers. If there’s one thing most famous artists have in common, it’s that they all painted self-portraits! Examine a few famous self-portraits with your kiddos and discuss what they give away about the artist. Now, ask them to create their own self-portrait and reflect on what it reveals about them.

Learn More: Hi Mama

6. Faux Stained Glass Painting

This activity requires a slightly higher skill level than the rest but is still kid-friendly. Get a dollar store picture frame and put a printed outline of choice inside the frame to use as a template. Have your little artists paint the glass with a mix of paint and glue, then once dry, finish the piece by outlining shapes with a black permanent marker for a gorgeous stained glass effect!

Learn More: Fabulessly Frugal

7. Chalk Art Projects

Create a fun game out of this idea which only requires colored chalk. Take your kiddies out to a paved surface where they can easily draw with chalk. Give them prompts to draw, for example, their favorite food, flower, or article of clothing within a set time. Let their creativity flow! 

Learn More: Tiny Blue House

8. Grid Drawing

Get your kiddos on the grid! Teach them how to perfect more complicated art projects by drawing onto a grid. Encourage them to take the piece one square at a time, and this will help them to balance proportions in their artwork. You can make the grids bigger or smaller depending on what level of detail you’d like them to achieve. 

Learn More: Pinterest

9. Geometric Shape Drawing

This colorful project challenges your kids to draw and paint an animal, only using geometric shapes. Although this may initially seem challenging, there are several animal forms that can be artistically replicated using shapes only! What animals will they come up with?

Learn More: Tree Valley Academy

10. Halloween Pebble Paperweights

This is a super fun art project to do around Halloween time. Have your kiddos collect a pebble from outside, then paint their favorite Halloween character onto it. The best few pieces can be displayed around the class during Halloween week for an extra spooky feel.

11. Fibonacci Circles

This is an art and math lesson all rolled together in one! Have your learners draw and cut out circles with diameters that correspond to the numbers of the Fibonacci sequence, then let them each arrange them into a colorful piece of art! Marvel at the different layouts and combinations that they come up with!

Learn More: W h at Do We Do All Day

12. Sculpture Art

This cool project involves taking a rather complex art form and making it simple and accessible to middle schoolers. Instead of using cement, have your kiddies use packaging tape to create a 3D sculpture of a person. You’ll be surprised to see how realistic the final result is!

Learn More: Look Between the Lines

13. Bubble Wrap Art

Repurpose any bubble wrap you have lying around for your kiddos to create a beautiful painting. Take some black paper and a few neon-colored paints. Start by cutting the bubble wrap in circles, then paint the bubble wrap with neon-colored paints. Before the paint dries have them imprint it on a sheet of paper and add details to create these interesting pieces of artwork.

14. Thumbprint Biography

A project that’s truly as unique as your kids are! Use the photocopier to blow up each of your kiddies’ fingerprints then use the printed result as a template for them to write their biography on. Encourage them to make it as colorful as possible. It’ll be a little labor-intensive, but the results are well worth the effort!

Learn More: Julie Ballew

15. Create a Comic Strip

Does your class love comic books ? Get them to practice their storytelling skills and display their artistic prowess at the same time by downloading a comic strip stencil like this one. Challenge them to come up with a short but effective comic strip that links to your class topic, or give them free rein to create a story of their own. The possibilities are endless!

Learn More: Really Good Designs

Use up your scrap paper for this next project. Start by cutting up any spare pieces of craft paper you have into different-sized and shaped pieces. Then, let your kiddos use these pieces to create their own masterpieces! These pieces will look great displayed on the walls of your classroom. 

Learn More: Art with Mr. Hall

17. Metal Foil Art

Explore texture with this next idea. Have your students create this stunning effect by drawing their design onto some metal foil with an embossing pen. Flip the foil over then use paints or markers to add color. The raised, metallic effect is the perfect way to create a spooky atmosphere in this winter-themed craft!

Learn More: Sebenta Marta

18. Easter Egg Painting

Get egg-cited for this Easter craft! Grab a bunch of eggs and go through the process of dyeing them in pastel colors with your class. Once they’re dry, have each kiddie decorate one each! Add even more fun by awarding a prize for the best decorated egg or you could even consider hosting a classroom-wide easter egg hunt once everybody is done!

Learn More: Active Littles

19. Origami Art Installation

Origami is like magic – just when you think a piece of paper is all folded up, it unfolds into something incredible! Let your kiddos relax with the calming art of origami and together your class can create an amazing art installation. Show them how to create the pieces you need then let them have a go. The end result will be an impressive display!

Learn More: YouTube

20. Resin Art

Resin art is all the rage at the moment! From creating bookmarks to art pieces to coasters- the options are endless. Have your kiddies forage for some leaves and flowers to use in their art then help them mix and pour the resin. The best part is that if done right, the final product looks absolutely mesmerizing and makes for a great handmade gift for them to take home as well!

Learn More: Art in Context

21. Dream Catcher Creation

Dive into the mystical by guiding your kids to create their own dream catchers . You can discuss the Native American origins and the cultural significance, then provide hoops, threads, beads, and feathers for a hands-on exploration of art and history.

Learn More: Crafts by Courtney

22. Nature Scavenger Hunt Art

This one’s for the nature lovers! Organize a nature scavenger hunt where your kiddos can gather leaves, twigs, flowers, and more natural materials. Post-hunt, they can use these materials to create unique nature-inspired art pieces. What a super creative way to foster an appreciation for nature and the outdoors!

Learn More: Green Child Magazine

23. Art from Recyclables

Reduce, reuse, create! Spark creativity and environmental awareness by encouraging your learners to create art from recycled materials. Give them a variety of recyclables like cardboard, plastic bottles, and old newspapers, then watch as they transform trash into treasure.

Learn More: Clean River

24. Puppetry Arts

Combine drama and art with this fun idea! Introduce your kiddos to puppet-making, and have them create their very own characters. Once they’re happy with their puppets, get them into groups and have them script and perform short puppet shows for the rest of the class. This is the perfect way to foster storytelling skills alongside crafting abilities.

25. Clay Sculpting

Clay sculpting is the art of making something out of almost nothing – all it takes is a bit of imagination and a lot of squishing! Give your little sculptors clay to create various objects, animals, or figures. This tactile activity encourages creativity and can be a calming sensory experience for them. 

Learn More: Craft in America

26. Wearable Art

Inspire your kiddies to make some art that they can actually wear! Let them design and create their very own jewelry with this paper mache bracelet craft. This hands-on project is a fantastic avenue for self-expression and exploring the fusion of functionality and aesthetics in art. By the end of the day, you’ll have a bunch of totally unique designs for them to wear home!

27. Historical Art Re-creation

From Monet to Picasso, the history of art is varied and full of inspiration! Choose a period in art history to study with your kiddos and teach them about its characteristics. Next, let them get hands-on and recreate or reimagine artworks in that style. They’ll love this engaging way to combine art practice with historical learning!

Learn More: Teach Starter

28. Photography Challenge

Say cheese! Equip your kiddos with cameras or iPads, and set them on a photography challenge around school grounds! You can assign themes or subjects to capture, and encourage them to gain a new perspective and appreciation for their everyday surroundings. 

Learn More: Capture 24

29. Mixed Media Collage

Let chaos and creativity collide in a beautiful, artsy explosion! Give your kids the chance to explore mixed media by creating fantastic collages. Provide an assortment of different materials – fabric, magazine clippings, paints, markers, and more, and let their imaginations run wild. You can make this activity more challenging for middle schoolers by giving them a specific theme!

Learn More: The Artful Parent

30. Artistic Story Stones

Challenge your kiddos with this creative storytelling craft! Let them paint or draw on stones to create story stones, where each stone represents a different item, character, or emotion in the story. You can follow this activity up nicely with a creative writing lesson where they can then use their story stones to craft and share their imaginative narrative!

Learn More: Happy Hooligans

31. Wind Chime Crafting

Get creative with a range of different materials with this idea. Guide your kiddies to craft their own wind chimes using materials like clay, metal, or wood to explore the different materials and discover varied sounds and musical notes they make! Once they’re finished, why not hang your wind chimes in an outdoor learning space so they can be enjoyed by the whole school?

32. Found Object Sculptures

Wacky meets wonderful in this found object sculpture craft! Challenge your little artists to create sculptures from some cardboard and random objects like bottle tops, cutlery, pieces of plastic – anything they find lying around! You’re not just teaching art, you’re teaching them to see the potential and beauty in everyday items.

Learn More: The Art Teacher

33. Shadow Art

This idea explores the playful side of light and shadow. Give your kiddos some cardboard and colored cellophane and see how creative they can be! Guide them to sketch, then cut out their design, before gluing the colored pieces of cellophane down. All that’s left is to wait for the sun to come out and head outside!

Learn More: The Best Ideas for Kids

34. Kinetic Sand Art

Who doesn’t love kinetic sand? Give your kids some kinetic sand and let them shape and mold to create magnificent structures or crazy landscapes. Your class will love this calming sensory activity that fosters creativity and encourages them to experiment!

35.  Mind Maps Art

Blend visual art with brainstorming by creating colorful mind maps. This is a super way to introduce a new topic or subject to your learners, or it could map out a project. Logical thinking meets creative expression!

Learn More: Edrawmind

36. Poetry Illustration

Bring visualizations to life! Have your kiddos select their favorite poem and get them to create an illustration or artwork inspired by it. This activity fuses literary and visual arts, enriching your class’ understanding of both.

Learn More: The Art of Education

37. Mask Making

What’s behind the mask? Exploring cultural or theatrical masks can be both educational and creative! Let your kiddies design and craft masks of their own using paper, cardboard, feathers, and more, to reflect different cultural, historical, or imaginative themes. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with!

38. Watercolor Exploration

Watercolors teach the art of going with the flow, one delicate stroke at a time! Set your kids up with some watercolor paints and let them have fun exploring this unique medium. Through experimenting with different techniques, they learn about color blending and layering to create a range of different effects. 

Learn More: Georgia O’Keeffe Museum

39. Mindful Doodling

Why not practice some mindfulness with your kiddos? Encourage mindful doodling or Zentangle art to promote relaxation and creativity. Give them some markers and a blank page and let them doodle as their minds wander. This meditative activity is the perfect way to boost focus and artistic expression while keeping your classroom calm.

Learn More: Lightly Sketched

40. DIY Musical Instruments

This idea is a super way to repurpose and recycle items like old coffee cans or plastic bottles. Crafting simple musical instruments from these everyday materials not only teaches your kiddies about music and sound but also opens doors for a homemade orchestra and creative musical exploration. Let’s make some noise!

Learn More: Music In Our Homeschool

41. Urban Sketching Adventure

Take art outside! Lead your kiddos on an urban sketching adventure around the school or local area, encouraging them to sketch scenes or objects they find interesting, honing observation and drawing skills. They’ll gain a whole new appreciation for their local area and improve their artistic skills in the process!

42. Silk Painting

Explore the unique medium of silk painting. Using specialized silk paint, your little artists can create beautiful, vibrant artwork on silk fabric. This project gives them a chance to try out this amazing traditional art form and requires them to have patience, attention to detail, and a steady hand! The end results will be beautiful!

Learn More: Gathered

43. Community Art Project

Make art a community endeavor! Engage your kids in a community art project, like painting a mural in the school or crafting art for a local nursing home. It’s a wonderful way to instill a sense of community and the positive impact of art. What a super way to bring everyone together!

Learn More: Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa

44. Yarn Bombing School

Weave some fun around your school with this craft project! Introduce your kiddos to the wacky world of yarn bombing by decorating a part of the school with colorful knitted, or crocheted yarn! It’s a cozy way to explore public art and crafting.

Learn More: Twinkl

45. Zen Garden Creation

In the chaos of school, a zen garden could be a welcome moment of calm! Guide your students to create miniature Zen gardens, discussing the principles of Zen and the calming nature of raking sand and arranging the stones. It’s a peaceful activity that also introduces cultural appreciation to your class.

Learn More: Guidepost Montessori

46. Performance Art Exploration

Drama meets art in this next idea! Challenge your kiddos to create and perform short performance art pieces. Encourage them to use their bodies as part of their art as they learn about how this modern art form pushes boundaries. With no limit on creativity, the results are sure to be out of this world!

47. Animation Basics

Action! Introduce your learners to basic animation techniques through a stop-motion animation project. Have them create their own short animations, using modeling clay, paper pieces, or even LEGOS to learn about and have a go at this exciting and modern art form. They’ll love creating their animations and playing them back to the rest of the class!

Weekly Sketchbook Drawing Assignments for Middle School Art or High School Art

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Description

This is the perfect start of the year/intro to drawing assignment to pass out to students. This is a handout contains 16 unique and creative weekly sketchbook assignments for students to complete.

This is the handout that I print and pass out to students at the start of the semester. I fill have students fill in the due date section, and assign one sketch a week. If this feels like too much, one sketch could be assigned bi-weekly.

This is a great way to fill up students class time when they finish projects early!

Check out my sketchbook cover projects here:

Sketchbook Quote Cover

Zentangle Cover Project

Consider giving my page a follow to see new projects and resources.

Interested in using more creative projects in your classroom???

CLICK HERE to view full curriculums and bundles!

CLICK HERE to view drawing based projects

CLICK HERE to view painting based projects

CLICK HERE to view digital art projects

CLICK HERE to view free resources

CLICK HERE to view handouts and worksheets

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Canva Projects for Digital Art Lessons in Middle & High School Art

If you haven’t discovered the amazing world of Canva yet, it’s time! I have spent the last year developing Canva design projects to introduce design concepts to middle school art or high school art students. It’s a free tool and online program, perfect for Chromebooks, iPads, and similar. This graphic design tool can be used with any experience level because it is incredibly easy to work with. Check out six creative projects for Canva below for ideas to incorporate into your art class.

VISION BOARD CANVA PROJECTS

A great introduction to Canva is a vision board project. Students dive into aesthetics and outline what their artistic likes and dislikes are. For this art assignment, students select a collage base and add their own images reflecting their aesthetic. They are encouraged to change the simple template from Canva to make the design their own.

This Canva project only takes a few days. It’s a great introduction to design, art philosophy, and layout design. This is perfect for any middle school art or high school art course. If you want to hit the easy button, grab this digital art lesson  here . You get everything you need to teach your students how to make these digital photo collages!

LOGO DESIGN PROJECT

My newest project focuses on developing a logo using Canva. Once again, Canva makes this process easy by providing lots of templates for students to customize. This is a great way to introduce design concepts to students since they aren’t faced with a blank page. With Canva, they have a template to jump off from.

You can grab the lesson pack for this on my website  here  or on my TPT  here . Get a digital art lesson plan, Canva how-to activity, research sheets, presentation, rubric, and more.

BUSINESS CARD CANVA PROJECTS

This project pack combines multiple Canva projects into one. With this project, students develop a quick logo and apply it to a business card and brochure for a hypothetical business. Through Canva they are able to easily load their designs and apply them to a business card template and a brochure template. You can check out this project on my TPT  here . You can also get this project as a part of my intro to design curriculum  here .

MOVIE POSTER REDESIGN

This graphic design project has quickly become one of my most popular assignments. Students take a movie poster and redesign it using Canva. In my project pack, students research movie posters, learn the history of posters, and critically think about how to include important information and visuals. Check out this project on TPT  here .

CAMPAIGN POSTER PROJECT

It seems like campaigns are endless in the US. The last midterm election was in full swing when I was inspired to create this digital art lesson.

Building off of the movie poster redesign, students create another poster focused on them. They must create a campaign poster for a hypothetical race. Students develop a style, take a picture of themselves, and select an issue that is important to them. This is turned into a slogan and campaign poster. Once again, they start with the templates in Canva but edit them to make them their own unique design. Check out this lesson  here .

GIF CANVA PROJECTS

This GIF project is perfect for middle school art or high school art students. Using a combination of Photoshop, Pixlr, or hand-drawn images, they create their own GIF in Canva. This project was recently revamped from using an old GIF compilation website to a much simpler compilation process in Canva. Check it out  here . You can also get this project when you purchase my drawing curriculum  here.

Get all of these projects with my 6 Canva projects pack here .

Thanks for checking out these fun projects that use Canva, more to come in the future. These projects are a fun way to get students interested in graphic design while they practice digital design elements. If you are looking for more graphic design or digital design projects for your middle or high school art students, check out more  here  or on my TPT  here . Be on the lookout for my Design II curriculum, slated to be released this spring! Thanks for stopping by, don’t forget to follow me on  Instagram  and  TikTok  for weekly visual journal demos. Until next time!

One response to “Canva Projects for Digital Art Lessons in Middle & High School Art”

I am using Canva more and more. I want to try some of these with my students.

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Lake County News-Sun Sports | Vernon Hills’ Ben Miller ‘wasn’t destined’ to…

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Lake county news-sun sports | vernon hills’ ben miller ‘wasn’t destined’ to be a dynamic player. with hard work, he has become one..

Vernon Hills’ Ben Miller gave volleyball a try with a group of friends at Hawthorn Middle School North when he was 12.

He discovered it’s much different from the other sports he had played, like soccer and baseball.

“I just thought it’s a sport that not many people are into,” Miller said. “I was pretty bad throughout middle school, to be honest. Looking back at it, there were definitely some guys who were significantly better than me.

“We had parents who took videos of the games, and I would watch those back a couple of times, like small clips. I couldn’t really block. But I had fun playing the sport with the guys around me, so I just continued.”

Miller got better, though, while playing in club programs and eventually in Vernon Hills’ lower levels.

“I would say the moment that stood out to me is when I switched over to Sky High,” he said. “I was the person we were setting. If we needed a kill, I was the guy that we set. I got significantly better going into high school. I felt much more confident.”

These days, Miller instills confidence in Central Suburban North power Vernon Hills (12-3, 2-0). The 6-foot-3 senior middle hitter had 17 kills and seven digs during the Cougars’ win against Warren in the first match of his second varsity season on March 20 and had racked up 132 kills and 14 aces, both team highs, and 81 digs through Wednesday.

“He wasn’t destined to be this outstanding player,” Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry said. “He just did it with a lot of hard work and willpower. What I’m proudest about is that he’s not 6-6, he’s not the best athlete in the world. But he decides that he wants to be and works hard at that, and it paid off for him. So I’m super happy for him.”

Miller said his teammates deserve that effort from him.

“I feel like I have a responsibility to play as hard as I can,” he said. “We all have been together since freshman year. They’re relying on me like I’m relying on them to play as hard as they can. I’m just trying to get better.”

Miller made an impact last season, when he was named to the Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association’s academic all-state team with a 4.4 GPA. He finished with 110 kills and 55 blocks as the Cougars won their third straight regional title and went 30-8.

“My impression of him last year was that he was very versatile,” Curry said. “Even watching him sophomore year over summer camp, we knew he was a kid who could pass very well. We were just impressed with the versatility he had to make that transition. Not everybody really can. He is such a hard worker.”

Miller said he’s glad he took the initiative to try volleyball six years ago.

“I’m incredibly fortunate,” he said. “The guys on this team, we’ve been friends since freshman year. They’re like some of my best friends, and we spent a lot of time together in seasons and out of seasons playing volleyball. It’s definitely some of my best memories throughout high school.”

Miller has decided to attend Purdue to study industrial engineering and said he hopes to play for one of the university’s club teams. First, he wants to help the Cougars accomplish something new.

“If we were to win state, that would be really cool,” he said. “That would be a memory that I would cherish forever for sure.”

Isi Frank Ativie is a freelance reporter.

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Lake County News-Sun Sports | Zion-Benton’s Delia Alaniz enjoys drawing. Picture this: ‘She hasn’t showed the potential she has yet.’

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