Children must be encouraged from an early age to think
as artists, showing care, concentration and pride in
their work. When they fasten their boots and kick a
football, they cease to be a ten-year-old child. They
enter the theatre of dreams, they hear the roar of the
crowd and become the star player. When they dance in
front of the mirror to the accompaniment of this week’s
number one, they become that performer. So when they
paint, let them become an artist, just as when they
express themselves in writing, we encourage them to
think as a poet, novelist or reporter.
I help
children to produce high quality paintings and drawings,
and demonstrate effective strategies aimed at making all
teachers good teachers of art. I place a strong emphasis
on teaching painting and drawing skills effectively and
setting children tasks which are appropriate to their
skill levels. By teaching skills, promoting good use of
tools and materials, and by encouraging close
observation and attention to detail, we can open up
success to all children, and not just to the two or
three in every class who have a natural aptitude for
art. I regard Art as a vehicle for developing positive
attitudes to learning and personal qualities such as
perseverance, concentration and care, which influences
children’s performance across the curriculum.
I focus on teaching drawing with pencil and
pens, and painting with watercolour and powder paint.
They are not the only media which children can learn to
use effectively, but we must avoid the temptation to
'dabble'. Having been taught painting and drawing
skills, children need regular opportunities to put these
skills into practice, to gain confidence, to improve, to
achieve and to gain satisfaction from success.
Ball point
pens, pen and ink, and fine fibre-tipped pens are great
for drawing, particularly in black, but the power and
flexibility of the pencil should not be underestimated.
There is such a lot children can do with a pencil.
This is true with both with observational work and
narrative drawings.
It should be stressed that the aim is
not to try to produce good watercolour 'artists' in the
traditional sense of the term, but to enable children to
develop and extend those skills and techniques already
acquired through the use of pencil, pen and ink and powder
paint.Once watercolour has been introduced to the children
and they have had an opportunity to develop their resources
in using watercolour, this media can provide another option
to them for excellent observation work, illustration of
written work and the development of fine art work.The very
nature of watercolour as a medium makes it ideal for
developing fine motor skills.
By teaching children how to mix thickly and apply paint
carefully, giving clear and simple guidance and advice,
having high expectations and providing support, we can
enable children to progress and succeed with powder paint.
It shouldn't be seen as messy activity. Powder painting can
take many forms, from detailed, small scale observational
work, to very large group paintings,
Painting and drawing should
always be an enjoyable experience for children, but they
should be discouraged from looking upon art as an easy
option. Children need to see that their teacher recognizes
their efforts and the care they have taken with their
painting. It is essential that the teacher carefully,
stores, handles and displays paintings so the children feel
that their work is respected.
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