Re-learning to draw
My boy, Jack, 9, has always loved to draw. He draws in the symbolic away kids do, inventing characters in his mind, drawings scenes and battles and maps and worlds. Recently though we have been talking about drawing realistically and from nature.
Last week, we began doing exercises from a great book by Mona Brookes, called "Drawing with Children." The book's method
is extremely clear and simple and we've had a lot of fun working on it together. In the very first lesson, he drew in ways he never has before and, at the end, asked me when we could do it again.
When children draw, they are working things out, play acting, exploring and learning. They are probably being more left brained about it than adult artists are, working primarily with symbols that are not based on observation. Our society assumes that this sort of play should not be interfered with as it may somehow stunt their imaginations. Instead, there's a risen a myth that children can't or oughtn't be taught to draw. When kids reach ten or eleven, they taper off with this sort of play and, for too many people, this marks the end of their drawing life.
Some kids persevere on their own, but against the odds, because they usually have insufficient instruction. It's absurd, like giving a class full of children access to books but not teaching them to read. We expect kids magically to go from drawing symbols to seeing clearly enough and having the perseverance to train themselves to draw accurately. Some will figure it on their own, the rest will just lose interest. We don't do that with driver's ed, or swimming, or mathematics, or even music.
The teaching and the learning aren't hard. At nine, Jack's brain is a sponge and Brookes breaks seeing and rendering down to such intuitive fun exercises that he picks it right up. The system is designed to help adults too and Patti has been talking about starting soon too. I can't wait.
If you've been procrastinating about learning to draw, try working through this book with a child (even two year olds can do it). The fun is contagious and it'll light your fuse.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Does this book mention an optimum age to begin using it? I'd love to do this with my 5-year old but am not sure if it's too advanced or requires more insight into things than a 5-year old is capable..?
Posted by: kev | April 27, 2004 01:18 PM
Jack Tea, I love your drawing!!! It is really expressive and you picked such bright, bold colors. Keep drawing, you have a career.
Danny, thanks for the tip. My son is 9 (bday is 12/3/94). Going to get that book ... I can see he is already showing signs of not wanting to draw anymore :-(. I need the lesson too... and have a 5 yr old that is starting to write. Another chance!
Cheers!
Posted by: Rose | April 27, 2004 01:39 PM
I can't wait to find this book!
and jack tea, YOU RULE!
your drawings are beautiful.
andrea
Posted by: andrea | April 27, 2004 02:37 PM
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Thank you.
I found the book at the library !
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Posted by: dhyana rose | April 27, 2004 03:24 PM
I had the pleasure of taking a workshop with Mona. I found her instructions very well suited to adults and thought she should change the name of her book!
Good job, Jack!!!
SH
Posted by: sharoon | April 27, 2004 03:41 PM
That is fabulous! The drawing and your way of thinking. Your son has his Daddy's talent! And it's great that the book is interesting Patty!
Posted by: finelyspungirl | April 27, 2004 03:53 PM
Kev:
There are 2,3 and 4 year olds whose work is included in the book and is fantastic! It's very intuitive and I'm sure your kid will have fun with it. DO let me know how it goes
Your pal,
Danny.
Posted by: Danny | April 27, 2004 05:04 PM
Your observations about kids losing interest about ten or eleven struck a bell. I think my daughters, who were fabulous artists as young children, became stereotypical and unimaginative around eight or nine, and I blamed the schools for not having art specialists. However, when they got to high school, where there was a fabulous art teacher, they just blossomed!
Wish I had had this book around when they were younger, but the combination of watching their mother practise art, my genes :) and good later teachers, meant that they are all artists now.
Posted by: Marja-Leena | April 27, 2004 06:23 PM
As a youngster, I had no real art training until, at age 10, our school hired some professional artists to teach a few classes. In these handful of sessions, I learned to sculpt clay, make masks and draw portraits. It was wonderful to have tips and knowledge presented to us by real working artists - teaching us, not as children, but as fellow artists.
I wonder if I would have lost interest in art, had I not been so excited by having real lessons. I certainly thrived on the enthusiasm & encouragement of these teachers, and remember the experience fondly.
I'll have to check this book out sometime. It sounds really great.
Beautiful scene, Jack!! Keep up the good work!
And go for it, Patti! It IS fun.
Posted by: Amy | April 27, 2004 11:55 PM
That's incredible - I just took that book off the library shelf at my university on Monday because I have been fascinated by the primary art component of my Masters in Teaching - and because I have a six-year-old who is telling me he can't draw. I haven't even opened the book yet, but now I can't wait!
Posted by: Tiffany | April 28, 2004 02:05 AM
Danny,
Thank you for this entry. I have two children, a girl, age 9 and a boy, age 7. They draw constantly!! I am not allowed to throw even a squiggle away and so in ourliving room, their hangout, are two plastic bins which contain ALL their artwork.
My husband is an artist and We have been debating on whether to start giving our children art lessons, and this book sounds like a good companion to some home lessons with Dad. I will look into it.
My 7 year old son has autism although he is very high functioning. He tends to "think in pictures" and after seeing something once, he can retrieve that picture from his memory. He draws as a way to express himself and to feel less anxious.His art is just fascinating. I love when his teacher sends home his writing assignments, and next to some of the words he will draw a little picture of what it is. I hope he never stops doing this...
susan
Posted by: Susan | April 30, 2004 12:18 PM