Pablo Picasso Art History Art Lesson Picasso Blue Period Guitarist Art Project

In this Picasso Blue Period Guitarist Art Project, students create a guitarist inspired by Pablo Picasso’s Blue Period using colored pencils or pencil crayons and watercolor paint. It is written for teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers working with older students.

The finished artwork has cool blue tones, strong outlines, expressive shapes and a warm yellow-brown guitar that stands out against the moody palette. Students explore mood, emotion, color and composition, and connect their own work to an important period in art history. The pieces make a striking bulletin board, hallway or portfolio display.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF)

• 1 Cover Page
• 1 About the Resource Page
• 1 Critical Thinking Questions Page
• 3 Lesson Plan Pages
• 1 Picasso’s Blue Period Poem Hook Page
• 1 Student Reading Page about Pablo Picasso’s Blue Period
• 1 Color Poster Sample Page
• 1 Rubric Page
• 1 How-to Draw: the Guitarist Page
• 1 KWL Chart Page
• 2 The Message Reflection Pages
• 1 Analyze: Elements and Principles Reflection Page
• 1 Compare and Contrast Page
• 1 Questions and Wonders Page
• 1 Goal Setting Page
• 1 Artwork Reflection Page
• 1 Peer Feedback Page
• Artist’s Statement Pages
• 1 Full-Page Example Artwork Page
• Step-by-Step Tutorial with visual and text directions for drawing the face, guitar, body, hands and clothing, and for the layered Blue Period color work

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

The poem hook and the student reading page explain the Blue Period in a student-friendly way: the time period, Picasso’s use of blue tones, the emotional feeling of the work and the kinds of subjects he painted during that phase of his career.

Students then work on observation, composition and expressive use of color, with clear step-by-step teaching that helps older students make artwork that feels mature and polished.

FAQ

Who can use this resource?

Teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers who want a Pablo Picasso Blue Period art lesson.

How long will this art lesson take?

Most classes finish in about 2 to 3 art classes, depending on student age and skill level, class behavior, teaching style and class length.

What materials are used?

Colored pencils or pencil crayons, watercolor paint, card stock or thicker paper, and paint brushes and water. Tempera paint is noted as an option.

Does it include reflection or assessment pages?

Yes. It includes a rubric, KWL chart, reflection pages, peer feedback, goal setting, artist statement pages and more.

Is it editable?

No. It is non-editable.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) creates visual art resources for teachers, art teachers and homeschoolers who want meaningful, easy-to-teach art lessons for kids, whether they teach in an art room, a regular classroom or at home. She was the featured cover educator in OCO Magazine for October 2025 and has been featured on NBC LX News. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products. This resource is for single educator use only.

YOU MAY: use this resource with your own students. Please purchase additional licenses if more than one teacher will be using it.

YOU MAY NOT: share, copy, upload, post online, distribute or resell this resource in any form.

Thank you for respecting the time, creativity and care that go into creating original art lessons and resources.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic