Whimsy Collage Portraits

Looking for a fun, mixed-media project that gets students using recycled materials and exploring portraiture in a quirky, imaginative way? Try Whimsy Collage Portraits! This activity is perfect for students in upper primary through lower secondary and builds skills in design, sculpture, and expressive drawing.

🧰 What You’ll Need

Egg cartons (cut apart)
Flat cardboard (think cereal boxes or recycled packaging)
Paint and/or paint pens
Coloured paper (optional)
White gel pens
Black fine liners
Lead pencils
Hot glue gun and glue sticks ✨

✂️ Step 1: Design Your Frame

Start with your flat piece of cardboard and sketch out the shape of your portrait frame. This can be rectangular, oval, or completely abstract — the only rule is that it needs to be at least 15cm wide.

Cut out the shape carefully using scissors.

🧠 Step 2: Build the Face Base

Cut a section of the egg carton to create a 3D nose.
- Want a pointy nose? Use the inside cone.
- Want a flatter nose? Use the outer shell.
Cut ears from leftover cardboard scraps.

🧷 Step 3: Plan and Attach Features

Lay out your egg carton piece (nose) and ears onto your frame. Sketch the face lightly in pencil first, including space for the outfit underneath the chin.

Once you’re happy with the placement, hot glue the nose and ears onto your frame.

🎨 Step 4: Paint the Outfit

Time to add colour and personality!

Paint the outfit directly onto the lower part of the frame.
Add detail with paint pens or layer with coloured paper.

Encourage students to think about textures, patterns, and character traits their portrait might express.

🖋️ Step 5: Add Whimsy Details

Now the portrait comes to life!

Use a white gel pen to decorate the frame border with whimsical designs — swirls, zigzags, patterns, or doodles.
Draw on eyes, mouth, and other facial details using a black fine liner.

🧑‍🎨 Artist Extension Idea:

Have students write a character bio or story about their collage portrait! Who are they? What do they love? Where do they live?