How To:
The following is excerpted from Five in a Row. © 1994 - 2008 by Jane Claire Lambert, all rights reserved. When you choose good children's literature, you will frequently discover exceptional illustrations as well. Water color, pastels, charcoal, beautiful colors, active lines, funny characters and balanced compositions are all part of fine illustrations for children. Furthermore, they can be used to introduce children, even young children, to fundamentals and techniques of Art. Art Appreciation is learning to recognize the many techniques and concepts which combine to produce effective art while learning what you like and why. Some pictures have a rhythm, balance and choice of color that combine to make them pleasing. Some illustrations are meant to evoke strong emotions or to provide information. Even a young child can begin to identify great art, not only enjoying wherever it's encountered, but beginning to know why he likes it. By teaching about the artist and their methods, your student's taste in art will expand to include a rich and wonderful variety of work. As you look at illustrations with your student, ask "What do you think the illustrator used for his medium?" Sometimes it's hard to tell. There are combinations of pen and ink with water color washes, etchings with strokes from oil or acrylic and the wet, transparent blends of water colors. Look for the shading in a charcoal or pencil sketch, or the build up of color by successive layers or colored pencils. Learn to identify the deep texture of pastels. After you've discussed the medium, ask "Why and How" questions. "Why do you think the illustrator chose this color, style, view point, etc.? How did the artist make it look like night time, etc.?" These kinds of questions will open a doorway to art appreciation for your student. Let him study the illustrations as he tries to answer your questions. You may want to suggest some answers as you discuss the methods the artist used and how the illustrations help tell the book's story. Does the artist's work provide additional story information not included in the text? Does the choice of color palette convey the tone of the story? Asking lots of questions will cause your student to look with a more critical eye, pouring over the pages to find answers as he gains a love of art based on newly discovered information and an emerging appreciation for great illustrations. Don't ask all the questions at the same time, but bring them up conversationally from time to time as you study each book. One of the best techniques for teaching art fundamentals is to imitate a particular technique from the painting or drawing of a known artist. In Five in a Row, the lessons attempt to identify and single out a specific artistic element and to encourage imitation. Your student will be invited to mimic specific styles, colors, designs, etc. Remember that appreciation usually precedes imitation, so look for other examples for his enjoyment before he begins experimenting with the technique. In order for you to be ready to meet your student's needs, you may want to have certain supplies on hand: - Kneadable eraser
- Drawing pencil or #2 lead pencil
- Charcoal (Teacher's Note: Supervise the use of charcoal since it can get messy!)
- Oil pastels (The favorite medium of many young students. It doesn't smear as much as chalky pastels.)
- Markers
- Colored pencils
- Crayons
- Water colors (Prang brand is good, or tube water colors are extremely easy to use for mixing exercises.)
- Acrylics (Not necessary, but it gives your student a chance to paint layer upon layer using lighter colors on top.)
- Brushes (You'll need several different lengths and widths. If you want to paint fine-lined tree branches, you'll need the right brush!)
- Water color paper
- Canvas paper for acrylics
- Drawing tablet or paper
- Tracing paper
- Ruler
- Cardboard templates of geometric shapes
Teacher's Note - Realize that you do not have to be personally accomplished in all these media and techniques before introducing them to your student. You are invited to learn and experiment together. Above all, remember that creative art is an intensely personal subject. If you wish to demonstrate a technique, do it on a separate piece of paper; never on your student's work! Be wise with critique of his work and grant him the respect you would grant any artist. Go slow, letting him catch the enthusiasm for the ideas you present. Sample Lesson:
The following is excerpted from Volume 1 of Five in a Row. © 1994 - 2008 by Jane Claire Lambert, all rights reserved. Here's a sample Art lesson taken from Grandfather's Journey. Each Wednesday you'll find opportunities to examine the illustrator's techniques, materials, style, etc. Art: Reflections and Shadows Page 6 shows the sun's reflection on the water. It reminds us of the reflections in the story Ping. Maybe your student will catch this point first, but if not it's a good chance for review. Page 13 pictures the reflection of the steamship in the water.
Allen Say gives us examples of shadows on pp. 5 and 24. The sun (light source) is coming from behind the boy. But on p. 7 the hat casts a shadow over part of his face showing that the light is coming from above. Continue to experiment with flashlights in a dark room using blocks or apples for objects. Let the student see for himself how holding the flashlight (light source) at different angles moves the shadows to new places."
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