Meaningful Minutes: Drawing

Recently a friend attended a local free art class.  The educator explained to the children that with the advent of cameras there was no need for realistic drawing any longer.  What?? I am still trying to get over this! The point of drawing has much more to do with the development of the artist than it does with the specific drawing outcome (although, hopefully skills increase). I believe there is a place for "process art" and "interpretive art" but many of us have never received basic instruction in drawing. So, why draw in the age of cameras??

1.  Drawing forces you to observe closely.  This is something we want our children to do - drawing slows you down enough to actually do it.

2.  Drawing encourages you to use a different part of your brain.  Honestly, this is one reason I resist it. If you are an adult wanting to start out I recommend Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain or You Can Draw in 30 Days.

3.  Drawing encourages a different kind of expression.  Our children are constantly asked to use their words.  Allowing them to use images, to draw, can be a helpful break.  I am always amazed at the drawings my 1st graders do in Sunday School to go with the story we are telling.

4.  Although doodling isn't quite drawing it can be very helpful to students. Doodling can help you focus and bring your thoughts together - it is not mindless and it isn't a distraction for many of us.

Resources to help with drawing: 

Ed Emberly books are my favorite.  They aren't "high end" but they help you break down an object into its shapes and parts.  Each book has tons of different ideas for how to draw things.

If you want to join history and drawing you should check out the 8 book series Draw Write Now or the 5 book set Draw and Write Through History.

I have had more than one artist friend recommend Barry Stebbing's program.  It focuses on color, art technique and the basics of shape and line.  There are videos as well as drawing books to work through.  It starts with young children and goes through high school.  You won't find fun artsy activities - but you will find the basics art skills introduced and practiced.  

Mark Kistler also has a variety of `books and videos available. You might remember him from his days on PBS.  He also has a series of you tube videos you can watch.

Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes is used often.  I had trouble actually implementing it but it is worth considering.  Here is a series of blog posts that can help you use this approach more effectively.

Drawing is a way to observe, discover and enjoy life in a different way.  I encourage you to take 15 minutes this week and try drawing something.  Take time to notice its shape, texture, and lighting. Take time to slow down and observe with your child.

Meaningful Minutes: Picture Study

It was hard to choose where to start this series but this is so simple I couldn't pass it up.  Picture study!

Charlotte Mason encourages us to help children develop a "gallery of paintings" in their minds.  Isn't that a wonderful image?  That's what I want.

How to "study" art? 
     Enjoy looking at paintings and other works of art with your children or students.  You can add details about the artist's life, the history, etc. but really the value is in just OBSERVING and DISCUSSING the painting (this is not art history, criticism or technique class). Often it is recommended that they look at it for a few minutes and then you take it away and ask them to tell you what they remember from the painting (or artwork).  When they are done have them look at it again and see how it matches with their description.  If you want a full description of the process you can read more here (here or listen here).  Of course, you can enjoy art however you would like.  This is a process that can take less than 15 minutes and add beauty to your life.

What to study? 
     She recommends picking 6 items that represent an artists' work and spreading them out over 12 weeks (so 1 picture every 2 weeks).   The pace may seem slow but that is intentional.  You want children to have time to really look and spend time with the work - not just race through them. Looking at one artist for a few weeks helps your child (and you) to get a sense of the subject matter and style of that artist.  It may not seem like an "intense" schedule - but that's the point.  After a school year students could know 18 paintings (possibly more at home).  If you multiply that by a few years - imagine what a "gallery" your child will have.  You of course can adapt this to your needs and situation as you see fit.

    I encourage you to hang what you have up - use clipboards, put them on your fridge, display them in frames from the dollar store, etc.  I actually got a cheapo stand and put the picture we are looking at on top of the piano.

Where to get art?
      Most of these paintings and works are in the public domain - so you can just go out there and look on the Internet.  You can also get art print calendars (cheap in January) or visit Half Price Books and Library sales.  The resources below lean towards 'greats of Western culture' but all of art and architecture is out there for you.  These are some packets that come ready made - some free and some not too expensive:

     Barefoot Ragamuffin- through Lulu - free but you have to print your own (or look at them on a screen).  Level 1 and 2, Level 3, Level 4 and 5 - so that's 5 years for free.  (You do have to register for free with Lulu to check out). She also includes versions that you can color - if you and your kids enjoy that.

    Ambleside Online - This is another option for free prints.  They have chosen 6 prints per artist and have links to them on the Internet.  You can of course can find them elsewhere as well.  They have over 40 artists divided over 12 week terms - you of course just choose what you like and use it.

    Simply Charlotte Mason - Picture Study Portfolios - There are two types choices at this site. The first "extra" set is just the prints (and unfortunately I don't think they have the name of the work and artist on the back).  The full set includes a short biography of the artist and questions to go with each picture.  There are 18 artists (so far).  These range in price from $8 to $16 and are printed on high quality, glossy paper in full color.

    Memoria Press - Art Cards and Posters - Although they say K -2nd grade - is Cassat really meant just for that age group?  I haven't seen these in person but they look wonderful.

   Enrichment Studies also has art collections available.  Some collections cover an artistic period and others particular artists (you can get Peter Paul Rubens and Women of the Renaissance for free right now).   If you sign up she has a a freebie available each month (she does artists, scientists, poets, musicians).  Well, there you have it covered!   You print these on your own.

I am sure that there are other options out there (here are a few more suggestions) and if you have thoughts please leave them in the comments.

How to fit it in? 

   -  Planning: I recommend taking one evening or chunk of time and picking out artists for at least 6 months. Then order or print everything and put it somewhere accessible.  If you try to do it week by week it will not be done (at least not at my house).  So, just plan it once and then work the plan.

   -  If your child has down time at school send them to school with a set of prints to observe.  They don't necessarily have to report back to you - but you can try to make it happen.  You might include some questions to get them thinking.

   -  Include a picture every two weeks at dinner time, bed time or breakfast.

   -  Create portfolios for students in your classroom to peruse.  It might be easier to do 4 pictures - just attach them to a manila folder (if you are printing them out).  Hand them out with a few questions for the kids to ponder as they look.

   -  Teachers and afterschool programs can use them during circle/ gathering times as well.  Again, just once every two weeks - show the painting, allow students to react and maybe ask a few questions.

   -   In my Sunday School class, about once a semester, I try to do an "art" lesson.  There are quite a few Biblical incidents that have been done by multiple artists (many artists love the "Walk to Emmaus" and yesterday we did "the Adoration of the Magi" - over 35 paintings to choose from).  You can also choose one artist who has covered quite a few Bible stories (we did Giotto and the story of Jesus' birth through Madeliene L'Engle's book in December).  Either way, look it up, print it out and just add it to the lesson.  I ask the children open ended questions and often encourage them to draw their own picture of the scene.  It also brings a mental image to the story that is not a stock Sunday School curriculum photo!  You can also easily do this at home as you read the Bible or celebrate parts of the church calendar.

Questions to ask: 

     I try not to tell them the name of the piece first - many are depictions of stories that they might know.  It is more fun if you give hints and then they have the "aha" moment for themselves.  If you are truly concerned that children will stare blankly and be unable to respond to a piece of art - here are a few questions you can use to get the ball rolling:

    -  Who or what is in the picture?
    -  What colors do you see?
    -  What do you think is happening?
    -  What season do you think it is?  What time of day do you think it is? (this is my son's favorite question)
    -  Is there anything that you don't recognize in the picture (many of them will be pastoral so they might not know what's in them)?
    -  How long ago do you think this happened?  Where did it happen?

The point is to focus on what they see.  You want kids to respond with answers and support, "It's winter because there is snow everywhere."  Seems basic but this is a good observation. Eventually they will begin to see more - if given time to do it at their own pace.  Picture study should be a fun part of the day.

Age Group:  All ages.  Family fun activity.

Decking the Walls

Welcome 2016!!!

Now that we are settling into our new home I decided to use the Christmas sales to do something crazy - get items up on my walls.  If we become what we behold I decided I want my kids to have some paintings worth remembering and thinking about.  I got these at AllPosters.com because they had a huge selection and lots of deals during the holidays.

This all started because of the Afterthoughts' discussion about Charlotte Mason's favorite painting depicting education.


Here it is called The Triumph of Catholic Doctrine - but I don't believe that is its original name.  The talk by Brandy Vencel gives you a great starting point as she discusses who all these people are and why they are included in the painting.  I am going to have to listen again and make a guide so I can put it next to our poster print.

I have a few Norman Rockwell's that were in my parents house growing up but I added this one to my collection.  My mom saw it and said - that looks like your boys.  EXACTLY!  I love the dirt on the shoes - as it should be.


Age of Romance by Norman Rockwell.



The Supper In Emmaus by Gioacchino Assereto 

I knew that I wanted something from Emmaus in my kitchen.  There are many different versions but this one was the most close up and seems to invite you to sit with Jesus and the two travelers.  I want my kids to remember His presence whenever they eat.  Although not the most famous artist, this one captured what I wanted.



Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

This is classic painting and I want my kids to remember that it is NEVER to late to return and that their Dad is always waiting to receive them.  We all need to repent and remember the character of the one we are returning to.

While I was looking around I found this one:


Yoke is Easy by Sharon France

Since my word for 2015 was YOKE I decided I should get this poster as a reminder.  It is in my laundry room/ pantry.  The place I am most likely to think my yoke is heavy - really I am just complaining and I am cutting that out in the new year!

I also got this one - because it makes me smile.  I put it next to my bed so it is one of the first things I see when I get up.



Apple Tree by Gustav Klimt

I also got a few other random ones - Thomas Aquinas, St. George and the Dragon, Plato and Socrates, Tree of Knowledge.  I honestly don't know if all of these will go on my wall.

My final addition was a very special painting that my friend Stephanie Fox did for me.  I asked her for a painting for a wedding present and she outdid herself then with calligraphy from 1 Corinthians 13.  So, I called her up and asked her if she would make me a lion and a lamb together.  I want to talk with my sons about Jesus being both the lion and the lamb and emphasizing when he showed those different aspects of his character. So, she painted this for me:

I am so excited about it!

I am also planning on adding more family pictures around our house.  I have them all prepared to go up but I have to stop moving furniture so I can put them up in a spot that I won't put up something else.

I will admit, that in the kids' rooms dad created a man cave so we have tons of Star Wars and Marvel comic book character posters too.  My 3 yo asks which character I am when we sit on his bed. He is normally the Hulk or Superman.  We had a Christmas day discussion comparing the Incredible Hulk and Yoshi - the things that come up when you live with boys!

So these are my choices and they have their own choices in their rooms.

What are your kids beholding around your house?

Wednesday with Words: Lewis, nature and the imagination

Check out what others are reading at the link up at Ordo Amoris.  

This week I started a compilation of essays called The Riddle of Joy.  The essays are from a conference that focused on the lives and works of G. K. Chesterton and C.S. Lewis.   I just read my first Chesterton work, Orthodoxy (I had the free kindle edition), earlier this summer and really enjoyed it. I have only read essays by C.S. Lewis (and The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe when I was in 3rd grade). I have checked The Abolition of Man out from the library though.   The essay called "Some Personal Angles on Chesterton and Lewis" by Christopher Derrick, is his reflections about both men, you see, he knew both of them, in fact, he was a student of Lewis's.  This is one comparison he makes about them. 

Both were prolific and best selling writers, in prose and in verse, equally at home in dialectic and in fantasy; each combined a powerful rationalism of the intellect with an equally powerful creative imagination, a visual imagination in particular.  In Lewis, this seems to have been related to his lifelong passion for countryside and walking, and it operated realistically, even when he had invented the landscapes in question.  (bold mine)

From there the essayist discusses the sense of place in Lewis's science fiction trilogy and the Great Divorce.  He then asserts that Chesterton's imagination of place comes from a different source because "it's entirely absurd to imagine him striding off across the hills and fields and valleys, after the style of Lewis and his friends or of Belloc."

Wait, Lewis didn't become a great writer by cranking out descriptions of his bedroom and the street where he lives?  My introduction to descriptive writing was in preparation for the 4th grade state test. We described all kinds of mundane things and learned how to point the reader around the scene and other such techniques.  My teacher literally let out a yelp of excitement when she saw that our essay topic was a description - we all knew how to do that well.  Maybe my view of descriptive writing would have been better informed by Charlotte Mason's methods.

Today my oldest turns 7 and I have been thinking about CM's list of attainments for a child of age 6. She includes "to be able to describe 3 walks and 3 views."  Honestly, I couldn't think of one view that I could describe; were you supposed to know a place that well?  In her first book, Ms. Mason directs parents in helping children to observe when they are outside.  She wants them to take mental pictures and focus on learning to see.

The same set of skills are called upon in Mason's approach to picture study.  Here, students take time to study a piece of artwork and then describe it in their own words.  Again, this teaches description, but as a way of appreciation and learning the piece of artwork.  It is not just another "writing format" to be learned.

Although I have not been diligent in asking my children to describe views on our walks (the last walk ended with my middle child presenting a full body rash that lasted two days), this quote provides me with great encouragement.  So, although CM does not provide a check box that says "teach descriptive writing" her method apparently worked in forming Lewis's imagination.  That is enough of an endorsement for me.