The Scream Art Project for Kids + Free Printable
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Edvard Munch’s The Scream is one of the most recognizable works of art in the world. Its swirling sky, bold lines, unusual colors, and expressive central figure make it a fascinating piece of art to study with kids—and a really fun one to recreate!
For this The Scream art project, we created a colorful tissue-paper version inspired by Munch’s famous painting. Instead of simply copying the original artwork, kids can explore line, movement, color, texture, and emotion as they create their own interpretation.
I’ve also created a printable The Scream outline to make the project easy to do at home or in the classroom.
About The Scream by Edvard Munch
Norwegian artist Edvard Munch created the first version of The Scream in 1893. In fact, there isn’t just one Scream. Munch created several versions of the image using different materials, including paint, pastel, and lithography.
The image shows a figure standing on a bridge beneath a dramatically swirling sky. Two figures appear farther down the bridge, while the landscape seems to twist and move around the central figure.
One of the most interesting things to discuss with kids is how the painting feels.
The colors aren’t necessarily realistic. The lines aren’t calm and straight. The figure isn’t painted realistically either. Everything works together to communicate emotion.
Ask your kids:
- How does this painting make you feel?
- Where do you see movement?
- Which lines seem calm? Which seem energetic?
- What do you notice about the colors?
- How would the painting feel different if Munch had used straight lines and realistic colors?
This makes The Scream a wonderful introduction to the idea that artists don’t always create art simply to show what something looks like. Art can also communicate what something feels like.
Supplies for The Scream Art Project
You will need:
- Clear contact paper
- Black glue
- Colored tissue paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Printable The Scream template
- A protected work surface
How to Make The Scream Tissue Paper Art
1. Print The Scream Template
Print the free The Scream outline.
Cut a piece of clear contact paper large enough to cover the entire design.
I taped my contact paper and template directly to my counter while tracing. This kept everything from shifting while I worked and made it much easier to follow the lines.
2. Trace the Design With Black Glue
Place the contact paper over the printable so you can clearly see the design underneath.
Trace the major lines with black glue. Let the glue dry before adding the tissue paper if necessary so the lines don’t smear.
3. Cut the Tissue Paper Into Strips
Rather than filling the background with random tissue-paper pieces, cut your tissue paper into long, narrow strips.
The strips help imitate the flowing lines and movement in Munch’s original artwork.
Look closely at The Scream. The sky isn’t made from flat blocks of color. Bands of orange, red, yellow, and blue curve across the landscape.
Kids don’t need to reproduce Munch’s colors exactly. Encourage them to choose colors that help create the mood they want for their artwork.
4. Create the Swirling Sky
Lay curved strips of tissue paper across the sticky contact paper, following the movement of the black lines.
Let some strips curve upward, downward, and around one another.
This is a great time to talk about line and movement in art. Even though the artwork itself isn’t moving, Munch’s curved and diagonal lines make the scene feel active and unsettled.
5. Fill In the Landscape and Figure
Continue adding tissue paper to the bridge, landscape, water, and central figure.
You can use smaller pieces where necessary, but keep those long strips wherever possible to maintain the flowing texture inspired by the original painting.
6. Cover with More Contact Paper
Cut another piece of contact paper. Press it over the finished art project. Trip around the edges.
Hang up in a window! It’s great as a Halloween window decoration during autumn time.
Art Concepts to Explore
This project can be much more than a pretty craft. Use it to introduce several important art concepts:
- Line: Notice the difference between the straight diagonal lines of the bridge and the curving lines of the sky and landscape.
- Movement: How does Munch make a still painting seem as though everything is swirling?
- Color: How do unexpected or intense colors affect the mood?
- Texture: Our tissue-paper strips add physical texture while mimicking the visible texture and directional movement of Munch’s artwork.
- Emotion: How can an artist communicate a feeling without using words?
Make Your Own Version of The Scream
Every child’s finished project will not look like yours ,and that’s ok!
Give them the structure of the composition, then let them experiment with color.
Think about these questions:
- What would a joyful Scream look like?
- A peaceful one?
- A cold winter version?
- A sunset version?
- A monochromatic version?
That turns the template into an art exploration instead of a coloring exercise.
Get the Free The Scream Art Template
Free The Scream Art Printable
I’ve created two versions of The Scream for you to use with this project!
The first is a simplified outline with larger spaces and fewer details. This is the version I used for the tissue-paper art project because it’s easier to trace with black glue and fill with strips of tissue paper.
I’ve also included a more detailed coloring-page version for kids who want to explore the artwork more closely or create their own interpretation with crayons, paint, colored pencils, markers, or another art medium.
DOWNLOAD THE FREE TEMPLATE
Explore More Famous Works of Art
If your kids enjoyed creating The Scream, continue your art study with my Famous Art Coloring Pages collection. It includes printable versions of famous masterpieces from a variety of artists, giving kids a simple, creative way to become familiar with important works of art.
EXPLORE THE FAMOUS ART COLORING PAGESÂ
See projects inspired by famous artists:
100 Art Projects for Kids ~ Inspired by Famous Artists
