Case Study: Encouraging Creative Thinking Through Picasso-Inspired Self-Portraits at Blackburn Primary School

At DYA Australia, creativity is more than artistic expression—it is a powerful tool for developing curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking in young learners.

In February 2026, DYA Australia partnered with Blackburn Primary School to deliver an engaging visual arts incursion for Year 1 and Year 2 students: The Painted Selfie – Picasso Self-Portrait workshop.

Through hands-on artistic exploration, students explored identity, perspective, and self-expression. As a result, they also developed foundational skills in visual arts.

Experiences like these demonstrate how art can become a meaningful pathway for developing creative thinking in early education.

The Challenge: Bringing Creative Exploration Into the Classroom

Blackburn Primary School sought an engaging incursion that would extend learning beyond traditional classroom activities while aligning with the Victorian Curriculum.

The aim was to provide students with an experience that would:

• Introduce influential artists and artistic movements

• Encourage experimentation with visual arts techniques

• Support discussion, reflection, and interpretation

• Build confidence in self-expression

Creative arts education supports broader learning outcomes. For example, it helps students develop observation, imagination, and problem-solving skills.

Research exploring the role of arts education highlights how creative activities encourage students to interpret ideas, analyse visual information, and express their perspectives in meaningful ways, as discussed in “The Importance of Art Education in Schools.”

To support these outcomes, DYA Australia designed a workshop combining art history, creative thinking, and hands-on learning, making complex artistic concepts accessible and engaging for younger students.

The Workshop: The Painted Selfie – Picasso Self-Portrait

During the session, students explored the iconic style of Pablo Picasso and the principles of Cubism. Students examined how artists represent multiple perspectives in a single portrait. As a result, they began to see how creativity can challenge traditional ways of seeing.

Guided step-by-step by DYA instructors, students applied these ideas to create their own Picasso-inspired self-portrait on canvas, transforming observation into creative expression.

Watch the workshop in action:

The workshop unfolded in three key stages designed to encourage curiosity, experimentation, and creative confidence.

Discovering Picasso and Self-Expression

Students were introduced to Pablo Picasso and the concept of Cubism, learning how artists can represent different perspectives, emotions, and ideas within a single portrait.

Through guided discussion and observation, students explored how artworks communicate meaning beyond realism. This encouraged them to think about identity and individuality through artistic expression.

Learning about influential artists also helps students develop visual literacy, enabling them to interpret artistic styles, recognise visual patterns, and understand how art can communicate ideas and emotions.

The role of visual literacy in early childhood learning is also highlighted in “Visual Literacy in Early Childhood Education.”

Exploring Facial Features Through Cubism

Through guided activities, students examined their own facial proportions and features before reimagining them using Picasso-inspired techniques such as bold lines, abstract shapes, and multiple viewpoints.

Students experimented with composition and perspective. In doing so, they discovered how creative thinking allows artists to reinterpret everyday subjects in imaginative ways.

Creative exploration like this supports children’s developing creative thinking skills, including generating ideas and exploring multiple possibilities, as discussed in research published in Early Child Development and Care.

By experimenting with artistic techniques, students were able to explore different approaches to representing identity, helping them develop confidence in creative exploration.

Creating a Personal Self-Portrait Masterpiece

Each student designed and painted their own stylised self-portrait on canvas, experimenting with colour, composition, and expressive details.

With guidance from DYA instructors, students developed confidence in their artistic skills while celebrating the unique characteristics that make them who they are.

Activities that encourage personal expression through art can also strengthen students’ engagement in learning while helping them communicate ideas and emotions visually.

Curriculum Connections

The workshop was designed to complement the Victorian Curriculum Foundation–10, supporting learning outcomes across multiple subject areas.

Visual Arts – VCAVAV010

Students experimented with painting techniques, bold line work, and colour application to create a Picasso-inspired self-portrait while exploring how shapes and composition can represent identity.

Creative Thinking – VCCCTQ011

Students reflected on their artistic decisions and discussed their work with peers, considering how colours, shapes, and styles influence how a portrait is perceived.

English – VCELY153

Students engaged in guided discussion about Picasso’s artworks, describing what they observed and sharing interpretations using visual clues to communicate meaning and emotion.

The DYA Creative Thinking Process

At DYA Australia, our school workshops follow a process-based approach to creativity, encouraging students to explore ideas from multiple perspectives.

During the workshop, students experienced three key stages of creative thinking.

Observe

Students examined Picasso’s artworks and identified how shapes, colours, and multiple viewpoints can represent a face in imaginative ways.

Doubt

Students challenged traditional ideas of portraiture, questioning symmetry and realism to explore new creative possibilities.

Experience

Students translated their ideas into action by painting their own expressive self-portrait on canvas.

This approach encourages students to move from observation to experimentation, helping them develop confidence in their ability to explore creative ideas.

The Impact

The Blackburn Primary School incursion demonstrated how arts-based learning can support both creative exploration and curriculum-aligned outcomes.

Students:

• Developed confidence in visual expression

• Practised observation and interpretation skills

• Engaged in collaborative discussion and reflection

• Explored identity and individuality through art

Most importantly, the workshop created a supportive learning environment. Here, students could experiment, take creative risks, and enjoy learning through art.

Research also highlights how creative learning experiences can support student engagement, confidence, and collaborative learning environments, as discussed in the IAFOR Conference Paper on Creative Education and Learning.

Bringing Creative Learning to Schools

At DYA Australia, we believe creativity is a powerful driver of learning in education.

Through immersive workshops like The Painted Selfie – Picasso Self-Portrait, students are encouraged to explore ideas, question assumptions, and develop confidence in their own creative thinking.

Our school programs combine artistic exploration, experiential learning, and creative thinking frameworks to support meaningful educational outcomes while aligning with curriculum goals.

By engaging students in hands-on creative processes, workshops like this help young learners build essential skills such as:

• creative thinking

• observation and interpretation

• visual communication

• confidence in self-expression

Experiences like the Blackburn Primary School incursion demonstrate how arts education can inspire students to explore new perspectives while strengthening their connection to learning.

If your school is looking to introduce engaging visual arts incursions that support curriculum learning and creative development, DYA Australia offers programs designed specifically for primary and secondary students.

Learn more about our school workshops and creative learning programs here.