3rd graders think about painting emotions

Is it possible to paint emotion into our self-portraits?

We studied the work of Fred Babb.

We drew our self-portraits and then went over them with a sharpie marker.

The painting was fun.  Some students were worried about how they'd feel if they didn't like it once it was painted and so we made two.

What do different colors mean?  We decided colors mean different things to different people.

A blue face could mean you are calm like floating in air but it could also mean
 you are electrified and energized. 

As the pictures begin to be finished, I realize how hard they've worked on them and how much they mean to them.  Some of the kids have taken risks and loved the outcome.  Some kids have taken risks and wanted to do it over.  The experience of taking that risk is huge.

"My self-portrait came out just like I wanted it to be.   It's important to me because i think it's the best drawing i have done this year."
"I feel happy because my art came from my heart."
"I was inspired by Fred Babb and i won't change anything."
"Along the way when I was painting, my paper started to crumble.  I also learned that I look really good with orange hair."