Alien Renaissance Portrait: A Creative Art Mash-Up for Kids

What happens when you mix the elegance of Renaissance portrait painting with the fun and weirdness of outer space? You get one of my favorite fun art mash-up projects ever—Alien Renaissance Portraits.

In this project, kids imagine what it would look like if an alien from another planet had their portrait painted during the Renaissance period. It’s silly, it’s creative, and it’s the perfect balance between kids art activities at home and a chance to sneak in a little art history.

Why Kids Love the Alien Renaissance Portrait Project

I love projects that make kids giggle and think. With Alien Renaissance Portraits, they’ll:

• Learn about the style and elements of Renaissance art for kids

• Practice drawing and painting skills in a fun, approachable way

• Use their imaginations to design an alien character with unique features

• Explore mixing unexpected art styles for a truly original result

This is the kind of homeschool art project that encourages both observation and wild creativity—exactly the kind of thing that makes art days memorable.

Simple Supplies for This Homeschool Art Activity

• Drawing paper or mixed media paper

• Pencils and erasers

• Colored pencils, markers, watercolor, or a mix

• A reference image of a Renaissance portrait (from a book or online)

• Your imagination!

Step-by-Step Instructions for an Alien Renaissance Portrait

Step 1: Study Renaissance Portraits
Take a few minutes to look at examples of Renaissance portraiture. Notice the clothing, the hairstyles, the calm facial expressions, and the detailed backgrounds. Talk about the style and mood these paintings convey. This makes the project a perfect art history project for homeschool families.

Step 2: Imagine Your Alien Character
Now comes the fun part—what kind of alien will you create? Does your alien have green skin, three eyes, or antennae? Maybe they’re wearing a ruffled collar and holding a space gadget instead of a flower.

Step 3: Sketch the Portrait
Using your reference as inspiration, sketch your alien in the style of a Renaissance portrait. Keep the posture and clothing details similar to traditional portraits, but swap in your alien features.

Step 4: Add Color and Texture
Bring your alien to life with color! You can use markers for simplicity, or watercolor washes for a soft, painted look. Try colored pencils or gel pens over marker for more detail. Don’t forget to add Renaissance-style patterns, jewelry, or accessories to make your piece really shine.

Step 5: Share Your Masterpiece
Stand back and admire your mash-up masterpiece. You’ve created something that blends historical art with sci-fi fun—a drawing and painting project for kids that’s totally one-of-a-kind.

Tips for Adding Renaissance Flair to Your Alien

• Use rich, deep colors to mimic oil paintings.

• Add fancy details like lace, jewels, or elaborate hats.

• Include a detailed background for that classic portrait feel.

Why It’s Perfect for Homeschool

This project is easy to adapt for multiple ages, uses simple supplies, and can be as quick or as detailed as your schedule allows. It’s a great example of how I design projects in the Hello Homeschool Family Art Club—creative, open-ended, and ready to spark conversation at the dinner table.

If you try this project, I’d love to see your creation! Share it on socials by tagging @hellomsjes so I can cheer you on. And if you’re looking for more creative projects for kids that mix history, imagination, and fun, you’ll love what’s inside the in the Hello Homeschool Family Art Club.

Happy creating!
Ms. Jes