An expressive art project for young children can begin by simply turning on some music. Teachers in early-education classrooms, such as a preschool or kindergarten class, should give the students paper and drawing materials before putting on music. The teacher can then explain to the children how music makes people feel different things. The children should draw what they are feeling while listening to the music. This activity will help them begin to learn how to express themselves through art.
For children first learning about self-expression through art, drawing with crayons can be a great beginner lesson. The teacher should provide the students with paper and different colored crayons. Then the children should be asked to draw what comes to their minds when they think of different emotions---such as feeling happy, sad or scared. After their drawings are complete, students should be encouraged to talk about what they drew and explain why they drew it. This will help them analyze and comprehend their feelings as expressed through art.
This project, modeled after the late famous artist Fred Babb, forces students in upper elementary classes, or even middle school, to draw a self portrait of themselves mimicking Babb's style. Using tempera paint, students are asked to create a brightly colored painting of their own faces. They are encouraged to use colors not normally found on faces as a way to express their own vision of themselves. Students should be encouraged to discuss and explain their paintings.
This expressive art project is largely targeted at adults looking to express themselves through art. The project, which is open to a variety of mediums, asks a person to choose five to 15 people he would take to a desert island. This helps a person identify the most important people in his life. Then an art project of any sort should be created about each person. The project can be a painting, drawing, sculpture or even photograph or collage. This project will help a person analyze why each person is close to him. The positive energy developed from this project should be used toward an activity or conversation with this person.