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alicegunther
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| Posted: Feb 06 2005 at 10:20am | IP Logged
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Chari writes:
>You know, the BIGGEST help to my kids in their wanting >to draw with their own internal motivation.........NOT >mom telling them to draw..........was hiring >a "drawing" tutor. I was going to call the local >JC.....to see if I could find an art >student.........but, I tried word-of-mouth >first......and was blessed to find a "professional" >artist........who ONLY drew....no painting.........so >it was very focused.........it really helps to draw >before you paint, most of the time....
Dear Chari and all,
This was written in another forum, but I decided to reply here because I would really like to add my 2 cents to this. I have a few daughters who are naturally inclined toward art. My third child has been expressing herself through drawing non-stop since the age of two. I had always wanted to give her art lessons, so we found a nearby artist and arranged a class. In order to have a "private class" at the time we needed, the art teacher told me she required at least four students, so I signed up my fourth daughter as well. Now, at the time, she seemed too young for formal instruction, and had never, never drawn a thing in her life, but, because we needed a fourth child to reserve the class, she was added as a student.
Within two weeks of attending the art class, my daughter not only showed herself to be quite good at drawing, she began drawing all the time like her "artsy" elder sister. She was only about 3 1/2 at the time, but you would not believe how quickly she blossomed under the direction of an art teacher. I don't think it was the art teacher's instruction exactly--she couldn't have taught her so much so quickly. It was almost as if someone needed to tell her that she could and should draw.
By the way, if you can find a good art teacher, art classes make a wonderful group activity for homeschooled children. Several years ago, when my older girls were in first grade and kindergarten, we hired a fantastic art teacher to teach a small group of little girls at my house (Lissa's eldest was in the class). The moms would have coffee and watch the little ones while the girls went upstairs to draw, paint, work with clay, and discover great artists, all under the watchful eye of a capable and enthusiastic artist. When the class was over, the children would all go outside for a playdate. These were some of the happiest and restful afternoons I can remember.
Now, all this talk about art teachers does not mean I think a child *needs* a professional teacher to learn art. We have had quite a lot of fun creating our own projects and drawings without any formal instruction, but, if you have the opportunity to engage a teacher, I think it is certainly worthwhile.
__________________
Love, Alice
mother of seven!
      
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
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Lissa
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alicegunther wrote:
The moms would have
coffee and watch the little ones while the girls went
upstairs to draw, paint, work with clay, and discover
great artists, all under the watchful eye of a capable
and enthusiastic artist. When the class was over,
the children would all go outside for a playdate.
These were some of the happiest and restful
afternoons I can remember.
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Those are some of the fondest memories of my life.
The "big girls" worked upstairs (they seemed big
then--but I think the oldest was only 6, right?) while
the moms chatted and toddlers played...Alice always
had an
everything-bagel-with-ham-and-cream-cheese
waiting for me. My favorite! :) The kids made such
beautiful paintings and creations--and the teacher
cleaned up the mess...ah, bliss!
__________________
Lissa
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JennGM
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Do any of you try to refine your own skills in art while teaching your own kids? Many discussions have referenced that the mother also keeps a journal (such as nature) to help inspire the kids. I was wondering if there were any books that someone could recommend that would help me get a little familiar with different mediums or techniques -- pencil, charcoal, watercolors, pastels. I would love to try them...but the perfectionist in me pulls me back in messing up a blank page without "knowing" or familiarizing how to use the tool. I tend to use books to teach myself. I was looking at this book: DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques. Anyone familiar with it? I'm such a big fan of DK!
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Elizabeth
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Real Learning
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| Posted: Feb 18 2005 at 6:55am | IP Logged
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Michael (16) has always loved to draw. He resisted taking art lessons for some time because he didn't want anyone telling him what to do. We rented videos and lots of drwaing books. About four years ago, a lovely homeschooling mom offered art lessons at her house. He had a bit of a crush on her daughter, and so decided to give it a whirl. He's learned so much! The kids in that class contributed the illustrations to Real Learning. The art teacher became his confirmation sponsor. And the "crush" his dearest friend. One of the nicest things about art as a homeschool group class is that it's really okay to chat and draw or sculpt. This teacher recognizes that fostering friendships is as important as the lesson plan. Actually, fostering friendships is part of her plan.
__________________
Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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JennGM
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The art work in Real Learning is just so terrific. Is it Michael's work on the CCM home page? It's just beautiful.
But in finding an art teacher, what are you looking for? Seems I don't want someone who doesn't teach the basics, who wants to emphasize modern art. Any other things I should look for?
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Mary G
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We got a book today (an aunt purging her stash is always a lot of fun  which I will use for my 14yod for high school level art class -- it's called "The Fundamentals of Drawing Portraits" by Barrington Barber. It goes over all parts of drawing portraits -- from proportions of various body parts to making some look old or young, etc. It's put out by Barnes and Noble books and would be a great sememster-long art course that I'll have Catie do on her own....group classes are great (especially with younger ones), but sometimes the teens get self-conscious with doing art in front of others. I thought this would be a good chance for Cate to expand her artistic skills.
Blessings
__________________
MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Lissa
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jenngm67 wrote:
| Do any of you try to refine your own skills in art while teaching your own kids? Many discussions have referenced that the mother also keeps a journal (such as nature) to help inspire the kids. I was wondering if there were any books that someone could recommend that would help me get a little familiar with different mediums or techniques -- pencil, charcoal, watercolors, pastels. |
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Jenn, two years ago I treated myself to the Klutz Book of Watercolor Painting, which is by no means comprehensive, but did give me a good intro to the medium, and it was lots of fun to use.
For pencil drawing, I like Bruce McIntyre's little Drawing Textbook--simple, cheap, and highly instructive.
__________________
Lissa
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alicegunther
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jenngm67 wrote:
| Do any of you try to refine your own skills in art while teaching your own kids? Many discussions have referenced that the mother also keeps a journal (such as nature) to help inspire the kids. I was wondering if there were any books that someone could recommend that would help me get a little familiar with different mediums or techniques -- pencil, charcoal, watercolors, pastels. I would love to try them...but the perfectionist in me pulls me back in messing up a blank page without "knowing" or familiarizing how to use the tool. I tend to use books to teach myself. I was looking at this book: DK Art School: An Introduction to Art Techniques. Anyone familiar with it? I'm such a big fan of DK! |
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I am not familiar with the DK book, but Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards is an excellent drawing book for adults.
__________________
Love, Alice
mother of seven!
Cottage Blessings
Brew yourself a cup of tea, and come for a visit!
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Kelly
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Lissa wrote:
jenngm67 wrote:
| Do any of you try to refine your own skills in art while teaching your own kids? Many discussions have referenced that the mother also keeps a journal (such as nature) to help inspire the kids. I was wondering if there were any books that someone could recommend that would help me get a little familiar with different mediums or techniques -- pencil, charcoal, watercolors, pastels. |
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Jenn, two years ago I treated myself to the Klutz Book of Watercolor Painting, which is by no means comprehensive, but did give me a good intro to the medium, and it was lots of fun to use.
For pencil drawing, I like Bruce McIntyre's little Drawing Textbook--simple, cheap, and highly instructive. |
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Art Teacher
