I would like to give my son some gentle, age-appropriate art lessons, but I'm up against a barrier. I'm an artist myself, self taught but truly studied. I have learned from other formally trained artists, studied books, etc. etc. So I have all this knowledge, and it's actually hindering me because I can't figure out how to make it age appropriate. Concepts familiar to me are: Thinking in 3D Perspective/Human Anatomy Drawing what you see Light and shadow Gestures/speed sketches Etc. Etc. But I think most of these topics are too mature for him to be able to comprehend. So other than just giving him paper and crayons, I'm sorta having difficulty in time warping and remembering what it's like to draw when you're five. The only thing I can think of is to encourage him to use his imagination, but I would like to introduce basic concepts like drawing what he sees, with emphasis on the exercise rather than the success of the drawing. I'm talking simple things here of course, like putting an apple in front of him to draw. I'm not having high expectations, I just want to gently introduce the concept along with having imagination-building assignments, like color blending/color play, drawing from the mind (he already does this of course), making up stories and then illustrating them... I'd also like him to have a sketchbook and some real sketch pencils, and draw/sketch something in there once a week. I would see the sketchbook as experimental. I would want all the artwork at his age to be about experimenting with different mediums, colors, etc. Just having fun with it basically. Also, does anyone have any recommendations on books for his age where we could look at some different styles of art, and maybe do some style mimicry? Just for fun? I have a book that has a few examples of fine art, but it isn't strictly an art book--it's a book that covers a variety of topics for preschoolers. I actually hate this book because after I bought it, I read the chapter to the parents in the back and it was hardcore anti homeschooling. I was ticked! Anyway, not to go off on a tangent, but I was just wondering if you had some age appropriate books that introduce different art styles. Lots of pictures and such. It would be a fun way to learn about art, we could play I Spy with them and work on observational skills, and just enjoy the pictures. =) I want to emphasize that this wouldn't be like a hardcore, hours a day thing. I was actually thinking of taking one day out of the week and having that be creativity day, where we would do different kinds of art (including paper art, playdough, etc.), and no other school subjects. It would be strictly fun with art day. I think it would be a fun way to do Fridays. Any input is welcome. Thanks!
I think the plan you have is great. He's 5-it should be fun. I would just check out books from the library on art and see what interests him... We plan to try some living books from this list
I'd suggest that you might want to look at the series by Barry Stebbing - different titles for different ages, including preschoolers http://www.christianbook.com/Christ...arry Stebbing&detailed_search=1&action=Search
I bought my son a canvas and some paint and I let him dip his faorite car wheels in the paint and drive on the canvas. I also dipped his hands and feet in it and printed them on and he also painted with string. I think first they need to know that art doesn't have to be made with a paint brush, and that you can use anything to paint with, you know!
You might check out the Phonics of Art CD from http://www.teachartathome.com/. I took 6 years of fine art, but I, too, was unsure of how to teach it to my kids. I like the phonics CD because it has the lessons broken down into age-appropriate stopping points. The first lesson is doing a teddy bear. It teaches how to notice basic shapes in objects and then moves on to eventually teaching you how to shade it. They also have lessons on perspective and other things. We use newsprint for our practice drawings and a sketchpad for what will be the final drawings. It has the standard sketcher's list of items to purchase: charcoal, gummy eraser, pastel, etc. I think I paid $20 for the CD, so I think it's a pretty good deal.
You might want to see if you can get the Artistic Pursuits - We used it last year and finishing the jr high version this year. It is a more formal series. The first book in each age group deals with line drawing, the second focuses on color. You can also try the Crayola site. They have lots of hands on art and craft activities - some are more formal.
Hi I too am an artist and I started with colors and the color wheel. Let them mix the primary colors to make the secondary colors and so on. It was fun for them to learn how to make other colors. I also found a printable page for my 7 year old to fill out the primary, secondary and so on. Although you could make it up from scratch I am sure. Also just making little crafts that pertain to the topic you are learning is great art for them at five. Like last year we were learning magnets so we bought from the dollar store some sticky magnetic sheet that you can cut to size and stuck it to the back of a chit chat box( it was close to Valentines) for a fridgie. And then my son used the rest to get creative. Introduce mediums like you said and see where it takes your child. My son is heavy into crafts and building since he was a baby. But my daughter is more the drawing and painting kid. So each child will have an aptitude for one medium over another just like us adults. Also when you are ready here is a link about art for kids which includes art history. I think it looks really good and it's never to early to start teaching. It's only over their comprehension if we make it complex in language. Try rewording what you want him to learn in smaller terms or explain the larger terms(vocabulary) and you will be off to the races. Have fun! http://cybermuse.gallery.ca/cybermuse/teachers/plans/index_e.jsp
I think I saw that he is 5 years old? I would just encourage him to draw and give him lots of opportunities with different mediums, but I personally would not worry about formal instruction. Actually, I read a study (of course I can't remember the link/book I read it from) that compared young children who had formal art instruction, aka "this is the correct way to draw" with step-by-step instruction, and those who had not. When asked to draw a picture based on a story they had just heard, the children who'd had no drawing instruction easily drew a picture while those who'd had the instruction wanted to be shown *how* to draw it. The conclusion was that teaching them the "right way to draw" at a young age had hampered their creativity. Anyway, just some info that I found surprising that I thought I'd share! Here are some art appreciation-type books that have been recommended to me, although I've not used them myself...yet! Usborne First Book of Art and Child's Book of Art: Discover Great Paintings. With your art background, I'd be interested to hear what you end up choosing for your son. Good luck!
Josie,I'm so glad you brought this up because I've been thinking about it,too.My kids went to public school last year(VERY small school,500 K-12.I had 1 kindergarten 2 first graders) and it was just a TERRIBLE year.BUT I have to give props where they are due,they had an amazing art teacher for the elementary.And I have been really trying to figure out how I am going to approach it this year.They offer free art classes for kids at the yoga studio here and I am thinking about that but I still want to incorporate it into our homeschool curriculum.I am definately checking out these books you all have mentioned!
Thanks everyone for all the input and links! =D BlessedLife, I definitely have no intention of trying to teach him "the right way" at this age, I agree that that would be a big mistake. I want instead to focus on creativity and experimentation (in other words, I want to teach him that there isn't a right or wrong way at all!). I'm excited to check out all the different things you've posted, probably later tonight! Right now, housework calls... drat! XD
We really like the book "Drawing With Children". http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Children-Mona-Brookes/dp/0874778271
We have also been using Artistic Pursuits. My kids are have really enjoyed it. We have been using it about 2 years.
