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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 12:36pm | IP Logged
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As I discover the rhythms that fit our home and the methods for including more and more of our educational goals and preferred habits into our day, I am looking at the habit of drawing.
I was looking over the Draw Write Now series, and I love the concept. How the co-author was an elementary teacher for years and years who began each day in her classroom with a simple drawing lesson and then copywork/handwriting.
Now, of course, I could use the actual Draw Write Now books (and I might), but I'd rather use my own copywork, especially since I am currently working on introducing cursive.
Right now, we are using Ed Emberley's books. The boys love him, and I figured it was an attractive way to establish the habit. But I was hoping for some other suggestions that might eventually help guide us toward some less cartoony techniques. I wouldn't be opposed to using different styles in different terms. I know I had the Mark Kistler Draw Squad book growing up, so if my Dad can find it at his house, I'll probably use it, maybe during a term we are studying astronomy.
My oldest also likes following the instructions in creating a picture from our Nature Friend magazine. I'd really like some more options like this to pull from.
We did work through the Mona Brooks Drawing With Children with a friend teaching a couple of years ago. My second was a little young for it, att, and he would probably benefit from revisiting it, but my oldest has advanced beyond that, so for now, I'd like to find something that will appeal to him, and maybe once the habit is formed, he can work in his own book independently while I go through DWC again with the younger ones.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 1:12pm | IP Logged
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I always HIGHLY recommend Bruce McIntyre's Drawing Textbook.
It is extremely simple, and a wonderful drawing course. One simple little lesson a day. I use it with all my school age children, and my mom used it with my brother and sister (which is how I inherited the little gem!)
No planning, prep, or special tools needed. The lessons teach depth, perspective, shading, etc. It isn't cartoony. It is a small, paperback booklet type of book. There is a simple explanation for each lesson that can easily be read by an independent reader, but if you were to read the little explanation aloud, it would take you 60 seconds or less. After reading the goal of the little drawing lesson for the day, all the child needs is pencil and paper. My children's illustrating and drawing skills improve a great deal after completing this little book.
It might be nice to cut a small handful of standard sized paper into fourths and keep those smallish rectangles in a basket near a copy of Drawing Textbook. Any scratch paper works fine for the lessons, but the smallish papers have always been preferred by my kids. Having it handy makes this a completely independent task in our home. I just get to enjoy their work when they show it to me.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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cvbmom
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 2:34pm | IP Logged
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I second this! It is wonderful and the kids learn so much from it without really realizing it sometimes. Reading children can do it by themselves even. It's a short lesson a day with big benefits. The best part is that the kids like it, too 
(I'm not trying to sound like a salesman, though re-reading this, I think I do. We just REALLY like Drawing Textbook.)
God bless,
Christine
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
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Is it mainly for younger kids? Or would teens like it too? I am looking for something for my ds (who will be a senior next year)and I wonder if it may be too young for him.
Any suggestions for a high school level drawing course?
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 7:51pm | IP Logged
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lapazfarm wrote:
Is it mainly for younger kids? Or would teens like it too? I am looking for something for my ds (who will be a senior next year)and I wonder if it may be too young for him.
Any suggestions for a high school level drawing course? |
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I suppose it depends on how in depth you (and he) want to go with a drawing course, Theresa. This book is definitely ageless/gradeless to me, and would work for a 4th grader or a 12th grader. A 4th grader would probably move slower through the book, possibly even taking a few years to complete the lessons. A 12th grader could possibly complete the book in a semester/term.
I'm going to upload some pictures of my book so you can get a good idea of the lessons and drawing instruction.
You'll notice this page references grade levels, but they aren't used anywhere else in the book, and as you'll see from the following pictures, lessons are really a matter of mastering the skill developed in the lesson before it.
These are the first lessons in the book. Very simple. But as you can see toward the end of the book....
....lessons have really built, and ask for more skill.
This is the last page of lessons in the book. There are a total of 222 lessons.
I hope these images give you more of a sense of the book, Theresa and Lindsay. In my opinion, the book gives all students effective and straightforward lessons in the seven principles of drawing (surface, size, surface lines, overlapping, shading, density, and foreshortening). It is easily pace-able so that it can be completely quickly or very slowly over a couple of years (which is what I do).
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 8:03pm | IP Logged
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Very helpful, Jen! Thanks!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 8:25pm | IP Logged
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Yes, thank you, Jen! That is very helpful!
Theresa, I've had this book on my wishlist for myself for years. I imagine it working for a high schooler.
I have also considered the various drawing books by Jack Hamm.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Mackfam
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 8:33pm | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom wrote:
I've had this book on my wishlist for myself for years. I imagine it working for a high schooler.
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Oh, I'm glad you shared that title, Lindsay! It looks fantastic!!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Mimip
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| Posted: May 14 2012 at 8:34pm | IP Logged
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I just have to pop in and say we love the Drawing Textbook. My oldest is now on year three with it because she mixes so much other art along with the drawing but loves it.
My younger daughter is flying through it since Drawing is much more her art thing. She is half way through the book in a little less than a year. It really teaches about perception and depth.
I say all of this to say that you really can go at your own (or your child's pace) and with what works for your family. The biggest benefit, it was only $8!
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In Christ,
Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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Amber-v
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| Posted: May 16 2012 at 5:17pm | IP Logged
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I just bought the book Lindsay linked to last week! (Illustrating Nature: Right Brain Art in a Left Brain World) It arrived on Friday but I haven't had a chance to do much more than study the TOC, read the intro, and flip through it. The book looks great though, I am very excited about it.
I am planning on working through it with my daughter, who is rather frustrated with her nature journalling this year because nothing turns out how she wants it to turn out. She does wonderfully drawing from her imagination, but anything from what she sees is another matter entirely! I think this should help her gain some critical observation skills.
I am thinking this will be a great summer project for us both!
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stellamaris
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| Posted: May 16 2012 at 6:35pm | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom wrote:
I was looking over the Draw Write Now series, and I love the concept. How the co-author was an elementary teacher for years and years who began each day in her classroom with a simple drawing lesson and then copywork/handwriting.
Now, of course, I could use the actual Draw Write Now books (and I might), but I'd rather use my own copywork, especially since I am currently working on introducing cursive. |
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We used Draw Write Now with our own copywork by just using a writing notebook from HWT. You could also use one like this Draw Write Now notebook. These both have areas for drawing and lined areas for writing. The HWT is a vertical format with a drawing space on the left hand side and with the right hand page completely lined, so it allows for a longer copywork selection. I wrote the material I wanted my ds to copy on a piece of lined paper and he copied it into the notebook. Then he added a picture chosen from the DWN books. It was fun for a while and perfect for him in 1st-2nd grade, but the drawing was very structured and I think he got a bit tired of it. Nevertheless, it was a good copywork experience for him.
Just one idea how you could use the DWN books with your own copywork.
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Caroline
Wife to dh 30+ yrs,ds's 83,85,89,dd's 91,95,ds's 01,01,02,grammy to 4
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JennGM
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| Posted: May 25 2012 at 7:59am | IP Logged
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I wanted to thank you for starting this thread, and the recommendation for Drawing Textbook. My 8 yo is eating it up. He told me I must have been reading his mind because he was wondering how do people draw doors and boxes, etc.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: May 25 2012 at 5:12pm | IP Logged
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I just found this thread; and I realized "I have that book!" (Drawing Textbook I mean - I didn't recognize it until I saw the posted photos!)
I've been considering some drawing books or videos for my son - and we browse drawing books at the craft stores, but nothing has struck our attention such that we both agree on the purchase.
I just handed him this book with a pile of quartered-paper, explained how it worked - and he is OFF!
Amazing what treasures I already have
My son is 8 as well, so it sounds like the perfect age :)
Now that Nature book looks tempting too... and I definitely do not own it. I know he would love to draw natural things better - we'll stick with Drawing Textbook for now and see what happens :)
Thank you all!
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Garden of Francis
HS Elementary Montessori Training
Montessori Nuggets
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: Simple Drawing Book/Program
