Art & Artists

Introducing students to the work of Pablo Picasso helps them explore how artists can use shape, perspective and abstract forms to represent ideas. His unique approach to art makes him one of the most engaging artists to introduce during primary visual arts lessons.

Teaching Pablo Picasso allows students to observe famous artworks, discuss artistic styles and experiment with abstract art in their own creative work. Many teachers introduce Picasso when exploring shape, portraiture and different ways of seeing.

The resources below help teachers introduce Pablo Picasso in a clear and engaging way while supporting discussions about artistic style and famous artworks.

Who Was Pablo Picasso?

Pablo Picasso was a Spanish artist who lived from 1881 to 1973. He is best known for helping to develop a style of art called Cubism, where objects and faces are broken into shapes and shown from multiple viewpoints at once.

Picasso created thousands of artworks across his lifetime, including paintings, drawings and sculptures. Some of his most famous works include Guernica, The Weeping Woman and Les Demoiselles d’Avignon.

Today, Pablo Picasso is considered one of the most influential artists in modern art and is frequently introduced during primary school artist studies.

Why Teach Pablo Picasso in the Classroom

Pablo Picasso is widely taught in primary classrooms because his artwork challenges traditional ideas about how things should look. His art provides clear examples of how artists can use shape, line and perspective in creative and unexpected ways.

Teachers often introduce Picasso when teaching:

• abstract art
• shape in art
• portrait drawing
• perspective and viewpoint
• how artists break rules to create new styles

Teaching Pablo Picasso encourages students to think creatively and understand that artwork does not have to look realistic to be meaningful.

Famous Pablo Picasso Artworks

Students often recognise several of Pablo Picasso’s most famous artworks.

Some of his best-known works include:

• Guernica
• The Weeping Woman
• Les Demoiselles d’Avignon
• Girl Before a Mirror
• Three Musicians

Exploring these artworks helps students observe how Picasso used shape, line and multiple viewpoints to create abstract images.

Pablo Picasso Classroom Resources

The following resources support teachers when introducing Pablo Picasso during an artist study.

Pablo Picasso Posters

Use classroom posters to introduce students to the artist, his famous artworks and the key features of Cubism. These posters are ideal for creating an artist study display or visual arts learning area.

Pablo Picasso Lesson Launcher

The Lesson Launcher includes engaging slides that introduce Picasso’s life and artwork while encouraging students to observe and discuss his paintings.

This resource helps teachers begin a lesson by introducing the artist and guiding classroom discussions about abstract art and artistic style.

How to Teach Pablo Picasso

The teaching guide provides background information, discussion prompts and practical ideas for teaching Pablo Picasso in the classroom.

Teachers can use this guide to explore Picasso’s artwork and support students as they create abstract portraits inspired by his style.

Supporting Visual Arts Curriculum Learning

Teaching artists such as Pablo Picasso helps students understand that artists can represent ideas in different ways. When students explore Picasso’s artwork, they begin to recognise how artists use shape, line and perspective to create abstract images.

Analysing famous artworks helps students develop observation skills, build art vocabulary and discuss artistic choices. These experiences also encourage students to experiment with abstract techniques in their own creative work.

Artist studies support visual arts learning by helping students understand that there are many ways to represent the world through art.

Teaching Ideas for a Pablo Picasso Art Lesson

Pablo Picasso’s artwork provides many opportunities for creative classroom activities.

Teachers often use Picasso’s work to inspire activities such as:

• creating abstract portraits using shapes
• drawing faces from different viewpoints
• experimenting with symmetry and asymmetry
• rearranging facial features in creative ways
• analysing abstract artworks and discussing artistic style

These activities help students understand that art can represent ideas in imaginative and non-realistic ways.