Jennefer@SSA Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I have Drawing with Children and I have yet to open the book. What I have learned about myself in this stage of life is that I need something more teacher-friendly (read spelled out for me). I even printed the lessons from Paula's Archives to help but honestly it was still too much work. I very much want to teach ds6 (almost 7) how to draw but is there a "Drawing for Dummies" type course out there? ;) I have read all I can find on Draw Squad but am wondering if the book is enough for $12.95 or do I need to cough up the $250 for the video series? I am definitely art phobic if you can't tell. :tongue_smilie: What do all of you use for art with the younger ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazelt"nut" Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 Hey Jennefer, There's a series called Draw Write Now...I think it has several volumes and you can pick one that would appeal to your son or one that correlates to something you are studying. I think these are more of a learn to draw versus a program that teaches about line, perspective, etc. I looked for something for DD6 ...the more recommended books just seem to much for her and ME! I decided to go with Artistic Pursuits and throw in a Draw Write Now that correlates with something we are covering, like birds or trees to go along with our nature study. Hope you find the perfect book and if you do pass it on! Sheryl at Hazelnut Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 I have that book, too. I printed out the lessons from Paula's website, too. I bought SmartStart Art or whatever from SL. I can't do it. I don't want to do it. I enrolled my ds8 in a Monart class. My dd goes to periodic-homeschool- little-girl-craft-meeting. There is also a teacher supply store that has free crafts on Saturdays. This is the solution in case you are anything like me.:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in MA Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 when my son was 6 or 7 yo. He enjoyed it. I think it gave him some confidence with his drawing. There are no specific lesson plans with the book. We just used each lesson for 10 - 15 min/day several days a week until he could easily draw the subject of that lesson, then we moved on to the next lesson. Now, I'm using Atelier Art (http://www.homeschoolart.com). I've used it for past 3 years. While it doesn't teach drawing specifically, there are some drawing lessons mixed in with each level. It's pricey, but my son really enjoys it, and the video lessons are excellent. The teacher demonstrates the project, and then the video shows actual kids making the project. Seeing other children doing the project and seeing their results helps my son want to jump right in and get started. Just another thought ... Brenda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelly in VA Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 My older children started using Draw Squad on their own, at ages 10 and 12. They LOVE it, and have really progressed in their drawing, using just the books, without any help from me. However, my 6yo finds it too difficult to use independently. So... for her, I use Draw-Write-Now, the drawing instruction sheets from the Rod&Staff Art Pacs, and drawing how-to books from the library. We have used some of Artistic Pursuits, and I like that program, but I find that with a 6yo that still needs my guidance. HTH! Shelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue G in PA Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 While it doesn't teach the real "mechanics" of drawing...it does teach step-by-step how to draw a bunch of different animals, people, places, objects, etc. all while "teaching" a bit about each thing. Great series. For a more serious artist or if you want something more "professional" shall we say, I've looked into the How Great Thou Art series and am leaning toward Lamb's Book of Art or Feed My Sheep for my dc (well, the 11yo, 9yo, 8yo and 6yo!). They also have the I Can Do All Things book for youngers. Each set can be purchased w/ video/DVD or just in book form. It IS Christian so that might be a deal-breaker if you don't want that! Don't know anything about Draw Squad and I'm w/ you on Drawing With Children...not "easy" enough for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted March 26, 2008 Author Share Posted March 26, 2008 Thanks for the reminder. I will look at this one, too. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 The Big Yellow Drawing Book is like Mark Kistler's Draw Squad -- but for pre-K up to whatever age is ready for Draw Squad. Don't be put off by the "cartoonish" aspect; the book uses extremely simple shapes to help the child learn basic concepts of foreshortening, contouring, shading, placing bigger closer items partly over smaller far away items, etc. It starts *extremely* simply (a circle, and putting eyes and mouth in the circle), and moves on from there. Only $5.50, self-directed, gentle, written to the young student. See it at: http://www.rainbowresource.com Also, at around age 6-7, my one son really enjoyed the 1,2,3 Draw series by Freddie Levin. They are a little more realistic than the Draw-Write-Now series, and are more boy-friendly in theme. We got them from the library, but see them at Amazon. And finally, for junior/senior high school age (and adult) beginning drawing, I far prefer "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" (by Edwards) to "Drawing with Children". Mona Brooks would be a great teacher to have in person, but her book is not terribly accessible (in my opinion) to the "un-art-initiated", which is myself. LOL. I found Edwards "Drawing on the Right Side..." much more logical and easy to understand and implement. Finally -- just by opinion! -- unless your young child is very "into" art, I don't think I'd get a heavy-duty (expensive!) "how-to" art program. Enjoy the Big Yellow Drawing Book, Draw Squad, doodling around, and the occasional art appreciation book -- maybe "Looking at Pictures" (Richardson) or the "Come Look With Me" (Blizzard) or "Looking at Paintings" series (Roalf). BEST of luck in your art journey! Warmest regards, Lori D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen in NJ Posted March 26, 2008 Share Posted March 26, 2008 This year we began: How to Teach Art to Children for grades 1 thru 6. It covers the 7 art elements of line, shape, color, value, texture, form, and space. Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG Gone Wild Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 This year we began: How to Teach Art to Children for grades 1 thru 6. It covers the 7 art elements of line, shape, color, value, texture, form, and space. Gretchen Can you describe this book a bit more and tell us how you are using it? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelroper Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Drawing from the Right Side by Betty Edwards is another classic, I think most libraries would carry it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretchen in NJ Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Can you describe this book a bit more and tell us how you are using it? I purchased the book from Veritas Press a few years ago. It is published by Evan-Moor Educational Publishers. The book contains 96 projects with step-by-step instructions. And so far, it has been very easy to use. To quote from the book, "How to Teach Art to Children is designed to increase the students awareness of different kinds of art. It gives students a wide range of experiences and helps them to apperciate the art around them." Gretchen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenora in MD Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Just a vote for Artistic Pursuits here. Very easy to use, and includes picture and artist study as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Not Gretchen, but we liked it a lot: 20 lessons, and over 60 project ideas on color, line & shape, pattern & design, and texture. Plus, lists of books, resources, and fine art examples of each topic/project. We did it once a week for 1-2 hours, covering a lesson and a project, or just a project, and it lasted more than a year. For grades K-5th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori D. Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 LG Gone Wild: I described "How To Teach Art to Children" further down in this thread. : ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellycbr Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 It looks like a very good program. Here's a link to check it out: http://www.teachartathome.com/PODCD.html. I just ordered it for my ds who loves art. The site offers free lessons, as well as a demo of what the CD will cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hose Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Do you have a good library? My library has all of the Draw Squad videos. This was a huge find for me! We check out one video per week and do it along with the DS book. They're great for young elementary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoniMoni Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Maybe this has been posted before, but I didn't realize Mark Kistler had a website! Below is a link to an online subscription. I have only looked at the free lessons so far, so I am not endorsing the site. The site has alot of cool info (as I continue to browse :D) http://www.draw3d.com/schoolofimagination/school.html His main site has some free drawing videos also. Hummm.. Thanks for this post, I wouldn't have found his site on my own! (SPACE HAMSTERS!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisawa Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 I have Drawing with Children and I have yet to open the book. What I have learned about myself in this stage of life is that I need something more teacher-friendly (read spelled out for me). I even printed the lessons from Paula's Archives to help but honestly it was still too much work. I very much want to teach ds6 (almost 7) how to draw but is there a "Drawing for Dummies" type course out there? ;) I have read all I can find on Draw Squad but am wondering if the book is enough for $12.95 or do I need to cough up the $250 for the video series? I am definitely art phobic if you can't tell. :tongue_smilie: What do all of you use for art with the younger ones? Hi Jenefer... Have you looked at artistic pursuits? I have not looked at the younger grades, but both my girls will us this along with Barbs lesson plans. I cant wait to begin! You can find artistict pursuits at RR too... *Ü* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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