For those whose children are 8 and up, what are you doing for art?

[BizyPenguin]

How well do you and your kiddos like it? Are you able to get it done every week? Do you think picture study (a la Charlotte Mason) is enough for art as long as you provide art supplies (paint, chalk, etc.) for "free art" time throughout the week? TIA!

[Unicorn]

We recently started using "Art Adventures at Home". I really think we are going to like it. Not only will they learn art skills, but I think they will come away w/ art appreciation as well. It was about $24 at RR, and is a 3 year "course", if you do it once a week. There are 3 books, K-2, 3-5 (one we are using) and 6+.

That said, I think when it comes to art, you have to ask yourself what you want your dc to get out of it. I personally don't see the need to teach art, or art appreciation (and my mother was an artist). I took art lessons as a kid, because I enjoyed it. I have a dd who is very artistic and talented. I don't force it on my dc though, I think a more gentle approach and a little exposure here and there will build appreciation over time. In other words, do whatever you and your dc want for "art", finger paint, draw w/ chalk, do a formal art program, color on the wall (or not) it's all good!!

[Closeacademy]

I give my children free access to markers, crayons, colored pencils, colored and white paper, stickers, glue, scissors (fancy and straight), stencils and such. I also have a binder that is full of "how to draw" outline drawing pages.

They create a lot of interesting things on their own. They draw, they cut, they paste, they get creative.

As far as schooltime goes, I spend a week a month on art as our enrichment topic. One week we will do watercolors, another time it will be clay, sometimes we work on drawing. I use a lot of Waldorf recommeded resources for inspiration in this area.

We haven't spent much time looking at art yet but there is plenty of time for that. I know quite a bit about art history and I really wasn't interested in it until I was an older teen.:)

[OnTheBrink]

I LOVE Evan-Moor's How To Teach Art To Children. We've been lax with picture study, though.

[St. Theophan Academy]

picture study, occasional art classes in our area, and I am planning on using The Phonics of Drawing from Masterpiece Art Instruction this spring as soon as his current art class ends. Anne Marie

[ABQmom]

Art and art appreciation gets done on Fridays in the time slot we cover Latin and grammar the rest of the week. One Friday, we read books about an artist and discuss his/her art work from the books. The following Friday, we do an art project based on that artist's style from the book 'Discovering Great Artists'. Then we start over with a new artist.

Another year, we really enjoyed How to Teach Art to Children.

I do think your idea of picture study and art supplies is a good one too.

[Susie in CA]

We have been using Barb's Harmony Fine Arts Program. This has worked really well for us and we are doing a lot of art. I am relaxed about it, though. We do look at pictures but only very briefly unless the kids want to look longer.

Susie

[Jenstet]

We have been using GeeArt online and she really likes that. She is able to draw with Corel. We also use Artistic Pursuits. We aren't really consistant with it though. She just draws on her own so I figure that is good enough most of the time.

[Laura Corin]

We use Draw Squad for Calvin. He wouldn't do any art if it wasn't scheduled and it's important for him (poor visual-spatial skills).

Laura

[Kristen in NC]

I'm considering using "I Can Do All Things" for my older son next year. The kids took an art class with Barry Stebbing and they learned a lot and I liked the look of his program. It lasts for multiple years and they allow copying for multiple children in one family.

[mcconnellboys]

This year, I've had him in a once per week drawing class. They do some painting, too, but mostly she's worked with all aspects of sketching (shading, perspective, figure drawing, portraits, etc., etc.) Class is 90 minutes in length.

I don't know if we'll continue this next year, or not. I've ordered all the ArtPaks from RRC. I used these with my older son when he was in elementary and loved them. Now that I finally have my little guy willing to attempt to draw, paint, etc., I'm anxious to do them with him. They combine art history and some art work.

I don't know yet how I'll fit them in, LOL! I haven't gotten that far in my scheduling yet!

Regena

[sunflowerlady]

I will do art appreciation either by using library books or prints if I can find them inexpensively. BTW, I will be adding in some music appreciation also.

I will also scan the library for books on how to draw and paint etc. On top of that will be any handicrafts dd will work on such as sewing, latch-hook rugs, etc. We will call those "practical arts".:)

Rita

[Alphabetika]

We have done K-3 books 1 and 2 and are now working through K-3 book 3. I plan to continue using AP through senior high. I find AP the perfect blend of art history, art appreciation, and hands-on art. The projects at this level are open-ended enough to allow creativity but not so open as to frustrate a child who doesn't do well with too much freedom. The art supplies aren't difficult to find, either. We have skipped over some of the projects, but we've done most and my daughter has loved them. It's also easy to supplement if you find an interest in any particular artist or style; it's easy to find library books to expand on interests.

HTH!

[prairiegirl]

We do picture study. I tie picture study in with art lessons, so they can be exposed to the various materials and techniques that the artists used.

We focus on one artist for a period of time. Right now we are studying Monet. We use his paintings for picture study. I have Monet and the Impressionists for Kids so we use that for text and activities. I get books from the library on the artist as well to flesh things out. I also have Discovering the Great Artists to help us along.

I have Usborne Book of Art to give me ideas for when we do hands on things. I also have craft and art supplies available so they can do whatever they want when the creative mood hits.

Julia
mom of 3 (8,7,5)

[LG Gone Wild]

This subject I cannot do. I enrolled ds in a Monart school. I will do it again for the summer.