On the Subject of Art
I am not a very creative type person, and definitely am not artsy. I have difficulty thinking outside of the box, so when it comes to teaching art, I need help and lots of pictuers (I am a visual learner). With 5 children, I also need something that is not consumable (except supplies of course) that I can use over again. Here are some books that I have found very helpful.
For learning art techniques:
Evan-Moor's "How to teach Art to Children"
This book teach's color, line, texture etc. It also has a section of books recommended for art appreciation and then projects that you can do to imitate that artist. Evan-Moor also has a good book called "ArtWorks" that are projects that you can do with your children.
Another good book for children to learn art by styles & artist is "Discvoering Great Artists: Hands-on Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters" by MaryAnn F. Kohl & Kim Solga
There are seems to be a lot of good books on art appreciation being published for children. One series that I recently discovered (I had heard of it before, but not checked it out until recently) is "Come Look with Me". We are currently using there book on Art in Early America. It contains about a dozen pictures from different well known artists. Devoting one picture to a page and on the opposite page it contains some questions about the picture and then a short biography on the artists life.
For very young children (preschool to early elementary...although my 9yo loves them to) are the "Katie" series by James Mayhew. They include: "Katie and the Impressionists", "Katy and the Sunday Afternoon", "Katie and the Mona Lisa" just to name a few. They are cute stories about a girl named Katie and her grandmother who go to the art museum. While they are looking around (Grandma is usually dozing on a bench), it shows Katy going inside the pictures and having an adventure.
If you want to read about individual artists check out the "Anholt's Artist Books for Children" by Laurence Anholt or "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Arists" series by Mike Venezia.
The National Gallery of Art has an extension program where you can borrow their resources for only the cost of return shipping. We used this at the beginning of the year and it was great. We would watch the DVD about the artist, then look at the pictures by that artist that was included and then have my daughter try to imitate something in that style.
If you want a packaged art curriculum here is a list of some that I have seen recommended.
How Great Thou Art
which includes (but is not limited)
God & The History of Art (4 year program)***
I can do all things
Lambs Book of Art
***you can purchase the pictures postcards as well as the painting/marker cards from Millers Pads and Paper (great art supplies resource).....
Artistic Pursuits
Meet the Masters
Artelier (this is a neat art program....I couldnt find it, but there used to be a sample of one of the demo's)
Art Websites:
Masterpiece Art Instruction
Garden of Praise
Every Day Art
National Gallery of Art
For learning art techniques:
Evan-Moor's "How to teach Art to Children"
This book teach's color, line, texture etc. It also has a section of books recommended for art appreciation and then projects that you can do to imitate that artist. Evan-Moor also has a good book called "ArtWorks" that are projects that you can do with your children.
Another good book for children to learn art by styles & artist is "Discvoering Great Artists: Hands-on Art for Children in the Styles of the Great Masters" by MaryAnn F. Kohl & Kim Solga
There are seems to be a lot of good books on art appreciation being published for children. One series that I recently discovered (I had heard of it before, but not checked it out until recently) is "Come Look with Me". We are currently using there book on Art in Early America. It contains about a dozen pictures from different well known artists. Devoting one picture to a page and on the opposite page it contains some questions about the picture and then a short biography on the artists life.
For very young children (preschool to early elementary...although my 9yo loves them to) are the "Katie" series by James Mayhew. They include: "Katie and the Impressionists", "Katy and the Sunday Afternoon", "Katie and the Mona Lisa" just to name a few. They are cute stories about a girl named Katie and her grandmother who go to the art museum. While they are looking around (Grandma is usually dozing on a bench), it shows Katy going inside the pictures and having an adventure.
If you want to read about individual artists check out the "Anholt's Artist Books for Children" by Laurence Anholt or "Getting to Know the World's Greatest Arists" series by Mike Venezia.
The National Gallery of Art has an extension program where you can borrow their resources for only the cost of return shipping. We used this at the beginning of the year and it was great. We would watch the DVD about the artist, then look at the pictures by that artist that was included and then have my daughter try to imitate something in that style.
If you want a packaged art curriculum here is a list of some that I have seen recommended.
How Great Thou Art
which includes (but is not limited)
God & The History of Art (4 year program)***
I can do all things
Lambs Book of Art
***you can purchase the pictures postcards as well as the painting/marker cards from Millers Pads and Paper (great art supplies resource).....
Artistic Pursuits
Meet the Masters
Artelier (this is a neat art program....I couldnt find it, but there used to be a sample of one of the demo's)
Art Websites:
Masterpiece Art Instruction
Garden of Praise
Every Day Art
National Gallery of Art
Comments
all the best
Jen
Christina