So You Think Your Child's an Artist?
Tips for Parents Who Want to Nurture their Child's Art Creativity.
You feel that you are realistic and objective when it comes to your child’s visual artistic abilities and now you want to help hone their talent. Forget the pricey coloring books, the paint by number activity kits, and do-it-yourself projects that line the shelves of art stores. Learning how to draw, the first-step in visual art, is synonymous to learning how to see. The products available for children in art stores are in reality tricks to create “good” art without having to do much learning or “seeing” in the process
Beginning Art Training for Children
According to Dr. Betty Edwards, renowned art teacher and celebrated writer of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1989) drawing skills are in fact perceptual skills, specifically the perception of edges, the perception of spaces, the perception of relationships, the perception of lights and shadows, and the perception of the whole.
Learning how to draw from life is the most basic element in art education and integral to developing skills. Every visual artist, regardless of their medium uses drawing to express their ideas. Drawing is regarded in art, like notes and scales are in music. All music encompasses notes and keys and all visual mediums have elements of drawing
Private Art Courses for Kids
With the usual problems of budget-cuts and decreases in art programming in public schools, it may be necessary to find alternative ways to nurture your child’s ability. One option is to consider sending your child to a private arts institution, a community center, or some other grassroots organization.
What To Ask When Choosing a Child's Art Class
Before choosing a class, ask questions about the teacher and the curriculum. Be aware that some classes are more craft-oriented and others more toward fine art skills. Where learning about art from around the world would be a fun and enriching class, how much of this class is skill-oriented and how much of it is hands-on cultural exposure? Furthermore, observing one’s teacher at work is crucial to the learning process of an art student. Ask if the teacher will be literally illustrating the concepts in the class.
Giving Children Art Training at Home
Another or an additional option would be independent practice. Encourage your child to still-life draw for half an hour to one hour a day. All you need is a pencil, eraser and a sketchbook. Try to make a routine out of it. Start with simple objects, like a cup or vase and work your way to more complicated things like a single rose.
Drawing is like riding a bike, your child may fall off at first but eventually he or she will get it. Drawing is not magic; it is composed of specific pragmatically acquired skills. And remember, in the words of all demanding art teachers everywhere: practice, practice, practice!
Work by Beginner Student
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Students at Work
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