How to Encourage Your Child to Love Drawing

Apr 27, 2020

Home with Your Kids? Here’s Why They Should Engage in The Arts At Least Once A Day!
Creating art at any level is a powerful way to boost mental health - according to a study by researchers at Drexel University. Whether your child is a mini Da Vinci or they love drawing their favorite cartoon characters, art can make a big difference to their lives, above all due to its ability to lower stress levels. If you have a homeschooled child whose hobbies lie in creative spheres, then you may have already been blown over by their beautiful creations. Art can be a particularly powerful outlet during COVID-19, when many children have more time than ever to unleash their creativity. Even if they have never taken pen to paper, igniting their passion for art is easier than you think. Try following these tips:

Creating a Homeschooling Art Schedule
If this is the first time you have homeschooled your child, you may find creating a schedule useful. This will ensure that you cover all subjects - including math, science, English, and other core subjects - as well as creative pursuits. Try to include at least one creative activity a day. When it comes to fine art, alternate between drawing, painting, sculpting, and any other art form your child is interested in. Art has been found to reduce stress, so it should be given prime importance during a time in which anxiety and worry can be high. Join your kids so you, too, can benefit from the creation of art at home.

Focusing on Subjects They Love
Children feel strongly about the things they love - be they cartoon characters, food, or toys. Start out by pulling out a paper, pencil and eraser and try to draw just one item that means something to them. Many children are fascinated with natural life forms - including plants, flowers, and insects like ladybugs and dragonflies. Head out into your garden and identify potential subjects you would like to draw together. A dragonfly is easy to sketch. Teach your child to draw the long abdomen (a long, narrow oblong shape) and connect it up to a short oblong (the thorax) and finally, draw a circle for the head. Next comes two sets of wings and finally, the tiny details that make this insect so beautiful -its bright colors, the veining in its wings, and its six jointed legs. For something even easier, draw a ladybug; it is spherical and its beauty lies more in the way it is colored. Don’t stick to red; let your children draw fantastically hued versions if they wish.

Expanding Your Collection of Materials
For children who prefer to create impressionistic or even abstract works, having access to a wide range of materials can be motivational indeed. Surprise your child with cartulina in various colors, colored pens, wax crayons, and paints. Encourage them to embellish a few of their drawings with these materials, and consider buying a frame to immortalize some of their best work. Right now all stores are closed but you can still access material for your homeschooled child online.

Finding Inspiration in Great Artists
Once your children hone aspects such as proportion, shade and light, and perspective, invite them to try out a variety of styles. If you are fascinated by Cubism, for instance, center an entire homeschooling study session on the origins of Cubism. Show them a few famous works from that period. Ask them to convert a photograph or previous drawing into a Cubist work. Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Van Gogh, and Klimt are just a few artists children tend to love owing to the explosion of color and originality in their works.

Visiting Galleries Virtually
Right now, most galleries are closed so a visit is impossible. However, many galleries are offering virtual tours so art lovers can stay inspired during home confinement. The Getty Museum recently posted a fun activity asking children to recreate artworks at home with the use of everyday materials. Children across the globe were using old clothing and even painting their faces to look like some of the most iconic characters in art history.

Most children will be happy to put pen to paper (or finger to paints) if they are invited to create artworks of subjects they love. Teach your kids simple techniques followed by more complex and detailed ones. Ensure they have a wide range of materials so they can make their creations as colorful as they like.

And as an art-lover yourself, for a trusted source for art education and art market news, trends and events, please visit www.OneArtNation.com. If your collection includes pieces by those other than your little artist, you can access a portfolio of tools to build, maintain and protect your art collection HERE.

Author: Katlyn Bennett