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Medium and Drawing Skills Lacking for Nature Study
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Hi:
We’ve been doing nature drawings once a week since beg of Sept. They are liking it, for now. I have them take colored pencils outside and draw in their notebooks. They come back with sketches, that are, well…..um, lacking in detail or for that matter any drawing skill. How can i help them learn to draw leaves and trees and the like, that they will be proud of. (I don’t think I posess the skills to teach realistic drawings). Is this what it’s supposed to be, just blah drawings? I can’t imagine this to be so, but how to improve? I guess I could go on YouTube and look for nature drawings….but asking here seems to be better, for the common goal and persuit we share!Also, i know Christie and a few others before recommended watercolor or dry brushing. Can u please share a link or describe the medium you are using? I think the books I already bought and started using are more of a newsprint (and now I can see that’s not gonna ork that great).
Any great book suggestions on how to draw or DO nature study? We have keeping a Nature Journal. But I’m not sure hwo a book like that is going to teach them HOW TO draw what they see…..Hopefully someone can figure out what I’m asking. I am rambing! Thanks
Hi Kelly! I’ve found that encouraging them to start with small things helps. It’s much more doable to draw a detailed leaf, for instance, than a whole rose bush (or just one rose). I also set the example by choosing something small and drawing it very carefully, while constantly looking back and forth from the subject to my paper. I’ve been amazed by how much my daughter’s drawings have improved over the years! I’ve also been very suprised that I can draw anything that even remotely looks like a bird! Lol!
Speaking of birds, we usually go for a walk and try to pay attention to the nature all around us. If one of us chooses a bird to draw, we pull out our bird guide and use the pictures from it as our guide. We use this method a lot when we are drawing animals.
I am really interested to learn what dry brushing is!
Are you drawing in your nature journal? I didn’t keep a nature journal the first year we began nature study. The next year I did, and I think that helped encourage my children. Before, it was something they just felt assigned to do. Also, we don’t usually take our nature journals out with us. When we did take them, it became more of a “let’s find something to draw” instead off focusing on nature and enjoying our time together outdoors. We may bring a specimen back in to sketch as we look at the details very carefully. Since we have been doing this for a few years now, I might say, “take a picture in your mind so you can draw it in your journal when you get home.” I wouldn’t start off with that, though! Give it time and point out details or ask questions about details as you observe. Most of all, try to enjoy the process. Don’t allow it to become a burden to the children or to you. 🙂
Regarding medium, we have used watercolor occasionally in our journals. I think I burned them out working on dry brush technique last year. I found a how to on a Charlotte Mason site, but don’t remember where… Our preferred medium is Prismacolor colored pencils. They are high quality and much different from your regular Crayola colored pencils ( although we have a few of those mixed into our art box).
***A very helpful Dry Brush blog post:
And we have these books to help us learn as we go:
1. The Wonders of Nature Sketchbook by Colleen Monroe
2. Drawing Textbook by Bruce McIntyre (inexpensive book with basic drawing skills with short, easy lessons that build upon each other)
http://www.lampposthomeschool.com/electives/finearts/drawing-textbook-art-curriculum
3. Draw Write Now series by Marie Hablitzel
4. Artistic Pursuits series by Brenda Ellis (These are more for general artistic instruction to methods and mediums as well aspaintings to appreciate in the lessons.)
Don’t feel bad! I can’t draw AT ALL. My drawing are pretty comical, but what matters is that, as a family, you all considered God’s wonderful creation together and had FUN!!! :))) Nature study and poetry are our absolute favorites. We, too, look up the subject on the internet to see a photo if we didn’t get to finish our drawings outside or bring our specimen back with us. That is ok!!!!
At His Feet,
Mollie
HTH 🙂
JenniferM, that’s good advice about not having your kids draw out in the field. Every week my DS struggles with “finding something to draw”. I think I will still draw my entry in the field but let them work on gathering specimens during that time instead of trying to get out all their materials.
The problem I have is that I *love* to sketch and I get so focused on my drawing that I’m useless as a mom or teacher. We had to start doing our nature studies on the weekend so my husband could take over during that time. It’s therapeutic for me though so he doesn’t mind.
I write a written narration of our study after the sketch is done and then DS5 reads it back to me. The kids do a leaf rubbing or scribble (my kids are very young) and we’ll cut it out and paste it in the notebook where my sketch is.
It’s working but the last one really frustrated my DS because he couldn’t “find anything to draw”. I’m glad to have a new plan of action this week. Thanks for the help!
did CM herself implement “how to” in her schools.?
I was just thinking about that the other day as my son was trying to sketch his wooly bear. it was pitiful , but his observation abilities are very weak , he is very hyperactive , so he wants everything to move fast like him. so he loves to be out in nature but the art part escapes him. I think i recall CM saying it wasnt something that should be taught. my vernacular is caught not taught. dont know myself how to approach this , but i want him to develop the ability to observe , and patience is wrapped up in that for him, so i will continue to include it and hope to see improvement.
faith is the substance of things hoped for , the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11. vs 1
Mollie, that link was the post that I used to learn and practice dry brush with my children! Good job tracking it down.
I did not teach “how-to” during nature study. We practiced dry brush technique on another day of the week as art/handcraft. I agree that the Nature Journal should reflect the journaler’s observations, even if it rudimentary. It is amazing, though, how repetition does improve their artwork, if they are in the habit of giving their best effort. I look at the Handbook of Nature Study blog sometimes to see examples of Barb’s Nature Journal. Sometimes I block off sections like she does, and my children think it is cool and follow suit. Also, if you ever check out any nature books from the library that include sketchings/journal entries, those can inspire children (and adults, too).
yes, just found 3 of Jim Arnosky at used bookstore. they were for three sketching of the 4 seasons. now im on a quest to find his summer one. and to think these beautiful treasures in hardcover , mint condition had our name on it waiting for us to arrive!
We love Arnosky books! Also, your nature journal can have many lists, notes, poems and not just drawings.
Thanks for sharing all your insights, ladies! This is something I’ve been trying to figure out how to implement better in our weekly routine, and I know I need to give the dry brush watercolor technique another try. My ds7 and I have only been sketching with regular pencil for the most part so far. Perhaps I will ask for art supplies on my Christmas list this year 🙂
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