Dragon Portraits

A magical screen-free art journey in drawing, painting, printmaking and collage

What happens when imagination is given time, space and real materials to grow?

Dragon Portraits is an exciting four-session creative project where children design and build their own bold dragon portrait through a rich mix of drawing, colour mixing, mono-printing, collage and textured construction.

Across the sessions, children gradually bring their dragon to life; shaping its personality, experimenting with colour, creating handmade scales, exploring texture and composition and building a metallic frame to complete the final piece. Each stage adds another layer of skill, imagination and confidence, resulting in an artwork that feels truly personal and proudly display-worthy.

From painting and cutting handmade scales to building a metallic frame, each step grows creativity, focus and self-confidence, with a bold final artwork they’ll be proud to display.

A neon-lit computer keyboard with pink and purple lighting on a black background.
Silhouettes of three people with gradient colors, blue and purple, representing diversity in a digital or technological context.

9 to 12 years old

A clock, an hourglass, and a document, symbolizing time management or deadlines, in a gradient of purple and blue colors.

90 min. 4 sessions

Monday, Saturday and Sunday

Mythology

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Imagination

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Self-confidence

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Mythology - Imagination - Self-confidence -

CREATE a dragon. build a brave mind.

Dragon Portraits invites children into a world of imagination where dragons are not simply copied, but invented.

Each child creates their own dragon character, developing its features, colours, mood and visual identity through a guided yet open-ended artistic process. Some dragons may feel fierce and fiery, others wise, playful, mysterious or elegant. This freedom allows each child to bring something of themselves into the work while exploring the rich imaginative world of myths and fantasy.

As the portrait develops across several sessions, children experience the rewarding process of building an artwork step by step, an experience that naturally strengthens confidence, independence and creative courage.

Enquire about this project
Infographic with four sections highlighting features of a creative or educational program: a sun and mobile device icon for "Screen-Free Creativity," a shield with a check mark for "Trusted & Safe," a child's silhouette with checkboxes for "Tailored to Your Child," and a dragon painter's palette for "Tangible Outcome."

Myth, Made by hand

Confidence built slowly

This project offers children something increasingly valuable: time to make something properly.

Rather than producing a quick one-off craft, Dragon Portraits unfolds over four sessions, allowing children to return to their artwork, deepen their ideas, and experience the pleasure of seeing a complex piece gradually come together.

Through drawing, painting, printmaking and collage-style construction, they learn that creativity can be layered, thoughtful and full of discovery. The process rewards patience and persistence, while also keeping the sessions lively, varied and enjoyable.

Because everything is made by hand and without screens, children stay closely connected to the materials, the decisions they are making and the growing sense of ownership over their work.

Three colorful abstract drawing of dragons with different designs on pink and blue backgrounds.

A Screen - free creativity quest.

In a world of fast digital entertainment and instant outcomes, Dragon Portraits offers a more meaningful rhythm.

Children are invited to slow down, focus deeply and engage in a fully tactile creative process. They draw, paint, print, cut, arrange and build using real materials, discovering the pleasure of making something with their own hands.

The dragon theme makes this especially engaging. Mythical creatures naturally inspire children to think big, experiment boldly and project strength, personality and imagination into what they create. For many, this becomes more than an art activity, it becomes a joyful act of invention and self-expression.

  • By the end of the project, your child will have strengthened both their creative confidence and their practical art skills, including:

    • Self-confidence & independence through making a full artwork step-by-step.

    • Fine motor skills through cutting, gluing and detailed making.

    • Key art concepts like shape, line, scale and proportion.

    • Colour theory & colour mixing using paint in a calm, hands-on way.

    • Mono-printing, a fun printmaking technique with surprising results.

    • A strong sense of pride from creating something truly original.

  • Everything is taught in a way that feels safe, supportive and adaptable for different ages and needs:

    • Any craft knife use is strictly age-appropriate and guided at all times.

    • For younger children, scissors or alternative methods can be used instead.

    • The frame-making part is flexible, based on your child’s comfort and ability.

    • Sessions are paced gently, with encouragement and a pressure-free approach.

  • This is a project with a real “wow” finish, something children feel proud to show and keep.

    • A finished dragon portrait artwork, created through multiple techniques.

    • Textured, scaled surface made from their own painted abstract work.

    • A mono-print version of their dragon design on coloured card.

    • A boost in confidence, patience and creative resilience.

aims & benefits

Creative

Develops drawing skills through shape, scale and proportion.

Explores colour theory, mixing and expressive abstract painting.

Learns new techniques like mono-printing, collage-building and framing.

Environmental

Encourages screen-free creativity using real materials and hands-on processes.

Builds appreciation for making things slowly, with care and less wasteful “instant” consumption.

Helps children connect imagination to the real world through tactile, physical art-making.

Well-being

Boosts self-confidence through completing a multi-step artwork they are proud of.

Supports focus, patience and calm decision-making without pressure.

Creates a safe space for self-expression, independence and positive resilience.

materials

  • Paper

  • Pencils

  • Watercolour paint

  • Cartridge paper

  • Printing ink or oil pastel

  • Colour card

  • Cardboard

  • Acrylic paint

  • Craft knife

  • Metal ruler

  • Cutting mat

  • Possibly hot glue

Outline of an open toolbox with a gradient of blue and purple colors.

Provided by the artist.

Illustration of stacked coins in gradient purple and blue colors.

ESTIMATED COST

£160 for 4 sessions.

Get started today

Start a project enquiry

About the Project Leader

monica

Painter & Art Educator

Monica is an internationally experienced art educator with over 15 years of teaching experience across the UK, Europe and the United States.

She has taught at institutions including Marvegos Fine Art School (California), International School Hilversum (Netherlands), Studio 30a (Amsterdam), Parliament Hill School (London) and Tudor Grange Academy. Monica holds an MFA in Painting from the Slade School of Fine Art and a BFA in Painting and Drawing from California College of the Arts.

Her sessions combine rigorous fine art training with warmth and sensitivity, helping children build strong visual skills while developing their own artistic voice. Monica is DBS certified.