Artist Study
by adustyframe ~ July 29th, 2010
A couple weeks ago, James used a coupon to buy a paint by numbers kit. He’s been working on his painting and exclaiming over the clouds.
He props the canvas up and looks at it from across the room and hollers, “Mom! The clouds look like real clouds!” I love watching him work on it and exclaim over his work.
He said, “I think this is more like an Impressionist painting. It doesn’t look good up close, but from far away it looks nice.”
I shared that with a friend and she snorted, “What does he know about Impressionist paintings?”
I told her that we studied artists for school but as I thought about it I decided it’s sad. It’s sad that people assume children don’t care about art or that a 9 year old boy shouldn’t know what Impressionists are.
I’ve shared before how we study artists. We don’t spend a ton of time on them, but we do learn and remember what we’ve learned.
I enjoy studying artists. I’m learning a lot too. I only knew the “big” artists before. I’ve learned right along with James and enjoyed every minute.
I was excited (and proud) when I put this term’s prints in our binder. We had 12 artists in the binder already. That means that I haven’t fallen behind in the artist study. 4 years of school=12 artists!
A friend asked me a few questions about studying artists this week. I sent her a bunch of links which I’m going to share with you.
She said she didn’t even know which artists to study. I suggested to her to start with the Ambleside list. Even if you’re not using Ambleside the lists of artists and prints is nicely put together and free to use.
This Yahoo group has the art selections in pdf format you can print yourself.
Here are a few other art links I have found.
Fine art as jigsaw puzzles–game to play online
Mr. Picassohead–just for fun
Books–
The Katie Meets series is fun and easy.
Art books from the Simply Charlotte Mason bookfinder
Art projects for kids–by an art teacher. Some good ideas
This term, we’re going to deviate from the Ambleside selection and study Raphael. I’ll tell you why in another post on another day!
Please share any art resources you’ve found.
July 29th, 2010 at 7:17 am
The preconceived notions people have about children always surprise me … it’s all about expectations. Children will rise to whatever height you set before them.
We have fallen behind, however. Thank for encouraging me to get back into the groove of artist study.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
The first thing I thought of was that our lives may be
Better viewed from a distance……when we look to closely
Things are toooooooo magnified ….stepping back and
Looking at our BIG picture thru the eyes of Christ can be
Comforting.
God Bless, Pam, South Bend
July 30th, 2010 at 6:19 am
My guess is James knows WAY more about them than the friend! Keep encouraging him!!!
July 30th, 2010 at 6:30 am
Thank you for posting this today. It’s something I’ve occasionally thought of incorporating into our schooling, but haven’t gotten around to it. Your post has encouraged me to get serious about it! Thanks for the links, as well!
August 3rd, 2010 at 9:48 am
It *is* sad that people are that way. But then again, I looked at what they teach in school. Those poor children are lacking so much in the way of education.
August 3rd, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Thank you for all the links! Studying artists is something I always feel we need to do more of here.
It is sad that so many adults have such low expectations of childrens’ interests and abilities.
August 4th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Thanks for sharing these resources. I’m just starting to do artist studies and was wondering where I could look for ideas.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Unfortunately, this is an area I tend to fall behind in as well, but I hope to do better this year!
I fall behind in the nature study;0!
August 5th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
You were nicer than me! I probably would have snorted back and asked her what SHE knew about impressionist paintings!
You’re doing a great job, Lizzie.
August 9th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for sharing the Masterpiece Coloring Sheets link.
We are enjoying Winslow Homer, and they had a page of his to print!
August 17th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
[...] few weeks ago when I posted about how we do art study, I mentioned that we will study Raphael this term. We’re deviating from Ambleside’s [...]