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How do you teach a child to draw?
- This topic has 10 replies, 10 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 9 months ago by
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I have boys who are very interested in art, especially drawing. I am not artistic. (That’s an understatement.) I’ve provided all sorts of art mediums for them and given them lots of time to create, but they are at a point where they want to learn to draw better. I’d like something that I can just stick in front of them because my time is limited with 4 boys to teach. Something for “individual work time”. Any suggestions? They are 9 and 8, and the 5-yr-old will probably tag along.
Most CMers say “Drawing With Children” but I’d rather have something that doesn’t involve my time, or at least only a little of my time. Does that sound horrible? I’m not horrible – just stretched pretty thin yet still wanting to find a way for them to pursue an interest.
Thanks for any direction you can give.
Heather
We love, love Draw Squad by Mark Kistler. He has other books too and my kids like them all. There are even online drawing lesson by subscription, but we haven’t needed it yet.
Check your library for any of the Draw Write Now books. Once you show the kids how to do one, they’re set, and it buys you some time to find exactly what you are looking for.
In DWN each step of the drawing is done in red. Then at the next step the old lines are black and the new line or two you add for that step are red.
The site that sells them is here(though the set is cheaper on Amazon, and most librarys carry at least one or two of the volumes):
Here is the direct link to sample lessons:
http://www.drawyourworld.com/sample.html
i have to second Caroline’s suggestion of the Draw Squad. I would highly reccomend anything by Mark Kistler that you can get your hands on. Both my brother and I have used his books. We didn’t use them a lot (we are both products of the PS), but did use them for fun and loved them. I am not artistic by any means, but the directions were easy to follow and I was able to put out some decent work. It’s been a while since I used any of the books, but from what I remember (and maybe Caroline can correct me on this if I’m wrong) I think all the work you do is more on the cartoonish side, not realistic, but at the age of your kids that might be appropriate.
Good luck on your search!
Yes, Mark Kistler’s material tends toward the cartoonish side, but he really teaches the concepts of good drawing and my kids have been able to translate that into more realistic pictures. They do so well with shadows and proportion and I didn’t have to teach them.
How about the Draw 50… series? It’s either by Ed Emberley or Lee Ames (although both are good for self-study, if a bit cartoonish).
Karen
We’ve used both Draw Squad and Draw Write Now. My son likes them both. My husband credits Mark Kistler’s program with teaching him a lot about drawing when he was a kid. Even though the pictures tend to be silly and cartoonish, he talks about perspective and shading and things like that. Homeschool Buyer’s Coop has a pretty good deal on the online version of Draw Squad.
What I like about Draw Write Now, is that my son can do it completely on his own because it is just a book and not the computer!
The advice I’ve received from artists is to hold off on teaching technique as long as you can. The best way to learn to draw is to draw. Keep encouraging them to work on their art projects (and you jump in when you can…it can be motiviating to see mom struggle as a beginner). Draw, draw, draw, and also look at other artwork through the eyes of an artist – get inspiration and instruction from what other artists are doing.
If they themselves are specifically asking for instruction, I recommend the book “Drawing from the Right Side of your Brain.”
If they aren’t asking for instruction, I would simply supply them with a set of pencils and a stack of paper and give them time to work and encouragement to create.
One of the things I absolutely love about homeschooling is that the kids have the time and opportunity to work on their art. Go for it, in whatever way works for you and the boys!
I second the recommendation for Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (by Betty Edwards) and just letting them draw and draw and draw (and perhaps watching you do the same if you want to learn too!). The website for Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (I borrow the book from the library) is http://www.drawright.com/
The nature study journal is pretty much the basic drawing curriculum for CM and that’s the way all the great artists began, just by observing and drawing the world around them. Jill Novak of Remembrance Press (they publish the Girlhood Home Companion) have a wonderful CD titled “Becoming God’s Naturalist” which I love to listen to for great ideas and inspiration.
Happy drawing!
Rachel
My 8 y/o LOVES the “Draw Write Now” series. If you get “The Old Schoolhouse” magazine they have a section called “Little Artists” that has one of the drawings from this. This is a way you can try it out without buying the entire series. Also check out used curriculum sales for this. I have purchased them for as little as 50 cents each. By the way everyone, this quarter’s issue has a lot about Charlotte Mason. Check it out! Talk to you soon. Hope this helps.
God Bless!
Malissa
There is a very small book called the Drawing Textbook by Bruce McIntyre which I have used and think is very good. It is considered a teacher’s guide, but I have just given to my kids (9 & 8 should be OK, they would have to guide the 5yo). Timberdoodle carries it.
On the more advanced level, but you can keep it in mind for the future – is Illustrating Nature by Irene Brady.
Nature journaling is great practice. I’ve been amazed at the of the drawings my youngest daughter and I have done with this method!
Have fun, Linda
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