Delighting in the Days....

Jan. 16, 2007 - Art Curriculum Anyone?

My daughter loves to draw. She would draw all day if she could. I am constantly trying to keep her from turning her handwriting practice into an art lesson. You may remember the Pregnant Alphabet !

At times she is frustrated because she cannot draw something that she wishes to draw. I would like to teach her some skills to help her do that. Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes caught my attention, I am considering purchasing it. If you have used it please leave me a comment and let me know how you liked it.

As Kindergarten flies by I am beginning to look for something to help us in 1st grade.
Here are two curriculums which interest me:

How Great Thou Art - In particular the I Can Do All Things 3 year curriculum.
Their website states that this text includes:
Beginning Drawing, How to use Colored Pencils, Blending with Watercolor Markers & Beginning Painting. The text also includes a new section on art appreciation, a glossary, and examinations. Over 200 pages with 175 lessons plus 38 8½" x 11" Paint & Marker Cards.

Artistic Pursuits - The Kindergarten through 3rd grade books. (Click here to view)
These books seems to focus a little more on the “artist” and what they do than How Great Thou Art does. They certainly cover a lot of different styles and would develop an appreciation in the student for a variety of art work. (This is only what I have gathered from reading a little about it - I may be way off)

I do not want to make art burdensome. And I am also unsure of what age is appropriate for teaching certain skills. The fact is, she wants to know how to draw certain things and I am only of so much help!!

We have enjoyed the Usborne book, I Can Draw Animalsand also I Can Draw People. They are very simple, breaking down the object into stages. She has been drawing a picture from these books once a week. Apart from that she draws whatever comes to mind. Here are a few pictures from yesterday . I told her to draw an “E” picture ( I meant for her to draw something that starts with the letter E since she just practiced writing that particular letter):

She turned the E's into people. They are carrying eggs!
My favorite part is the E in what looks like a wheelchair, holding onto a baby carriage.
Here is a close up:

These E's are eating eggs. The one with the short curly hair is fishing!

She has an imagination for sure. I do think my daughter is hilarious!!

I’d love hear what you have used or are using to teach your children how to draw and paint. Tell me what you have loved and what you wish you had never bought. Please leave me a comment and help a girl out

Thanks,
Stacy

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Jan. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by callmekate

My 5 yo daughter is a lot like your daughter. She would draw all day if she could. Her imagination both amazes and amuses me. And she also gets frustrated when she can't make something look real or doesn't know how to draw something. My husband draws very well and she loves to start a drawing and have him add on to it, they trade the paper back and forth until there's no more room to draw. I've been wondering if I should try a program with her or just let her create on her own for now. I like the idea of just letting her go without any restrictions. We have all 8 of the Draw-Write-Now books, which were helpful to our firstborn who doesn't really enjoy drawing but these books helped him to actually draw better. My 2nd son is more like his little sister, a natural artist who didn't need a program, he can draw anything he sees in his head (that's what he told me, anyway). I have seen the How Great Thou Art program for years and have never read anything negative about it. The Vision Forum catalog has a drawing program with a toucan on the front, I can't remember the name, but I've read positive feedback on that one as well. Sorry I can't be more helpful to you. If you chose a program, you might want to let her decide how often she works on it and watch to see if it stifles her or enhances what she's already doing. Just my opinion. And invest in lots of low cost paper but good quality drawing materials. I don't mean expensive, just ones that work well. Crayola colored pencils don't work as well as Verithin, for example. You daughter's drawings are cute, it's amazing what their little mines come up with, isn't it? Take care and God bless.

Kate

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Jan. 17, 2007 - A these are Adorable...

Posted by jugglingpaynes

I've found the best way to nurture a young artist is a hefty supply of paper, pencils, pens, markers and paints. My older daughter, now 13, would also get frustrated if she couldn't get the pictures on the page to match what was in her head. It's all about practice, with an occasional nudge from mom to try something she never did before. Usborne's Complete Book of Drawing was useful for her to self teach as she got older (which is how I learned until high school). In the younger years, I just taught her feature placement and would send her outside with a sketchbook to draw rocks, plants, bugs, animals, whatever. The phrase, "That's great, now why don't you try..." comes up a lot.
Thanks for the comment. My anniversary is in July. Maybe I'll post one of those juggling wedding photos for our anniversary. (16 years, where does the time go?)
Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

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Jan. 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by kateyz

We don't have a specific art curriculum, but of course I have a number of books we use regularly. Usborne art books are wonderful! We use a big one called The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas. It has tons of differnt techniques and styles to try. We also use the Usborne series called How to Draw. We have HTD Trucks & Tractors, HTD Christmas, HTD Fairies & Mermaids. There are a number of others. I've found most of the Usborne books are good for many levels of ability.
We also have two Artistic Pursuit books, but we haven't used them yet, as I bought the wrong level. I ordered them through a catalogue that didn't specify they were for higher grades. But, they will keep! They do look like wonderful teaching tools.
Billy loves to draw, and can usually be found with a pencil and paper. He mostly draws cars, trucks and motorcycles. He's very interested in things with motors! In the past I've signed both boys up for after school art classes, which have been ejoyed greatly!
You are right about not wanting art to be a chore. No matter what the result is, art should be enjoyable.
Love the E people! She is definitley very creative!!
many blessings
Kathleen

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Jan. 17, 2007 - <i>Untitled Comment</i>

Posted by meNmykids

I have all of the Draw Write Now books. They seem to work well with my children who aren't quite as artistic, but the others get irritated with them. I also use How to Teach Art to Children with Evan-Moor. Our whole family does this together and it doesn't seem to matter what their level is. We have even repeated lessons from the past. We display our art which is fun with 6 levels and personalities for the same lesson. Your daughters drawing is beautiful, I would definately cultivate that talent! Keep it going while it is still fun, sometimes they become interested in something else, and though they still enjoy it they don't take the same time with it then.
Gale

Edited by meNmykids on Jan. 17, 2007 at 8:46 AM

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Jan. 17, 2007 - Lovely!

Posted by jdoriot

I think her "E's" are wonderful!! I think they would look great embroidered on a pillow. I too love the E in the wheelchair pushing the stroller...very clever! Also, thank you so much for commenting over at my blog. I appreciate your words!!

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I am an Australian married to an American, currently living in the U.S.A. Join me as I strive to delight in the moments that make up our days and aim to have a happy family that loves God and serves others.