![]() Younger brains are forming learning habits that last a life-time. This blind observation drawing can form new brain neurons at any age, but learning this method at an early age helps form productive practice habits that build real ability. Many still think that drawing is an inborn talent rather than a skill that has been learned by practice. Unfortunately, many children and adults have never been taught this simple secret of learning to draw. Graders learn observation skills, they are less apt to have a crisis ofĬonfidence in the third grade when they begin to recognize the However, it is one of skills that is frequently used by artists when they create art. Observation drawing on its own is not art. On copying, which I still see in many of our schools. Drawing ability builds self-confidence.ĭrawing is one thing we as art teachers know how to teach. Observation drawing develops the parts of the brain that help us see better. Observation is not the only worthwhile learning task in art, it is fundamental for several reasons. Point perspective, or some other worthy learning task? While drawing Why contour drawing? Why not draw the dream from last night, It is skill andĬreativity-not exotic materials or cute looking tricks that build skill and self-confidence. Maybe every fifth day, explore a new way to makeīut always come back to basic pencil on paper. If they tape the paper to hold it, they can use one hand to cover an eye while doing observation.įrom time to time, add new techniques to the liturgy. If a child has problems holding one eye closed, I offer an eye patch or a piece of masking tape to alleviate the problem. Many are able to close one eye to to avoid seeing double. When first doing air drawing and blind contour drawing, children may be confused and annoyed by double vision. Nobody asks, "What are we doing today?" until this Or use a sketchbook where this developmental record is kept. To draw in front of the class or on their papers.Įncourage air practice and invisible drawing on the paper with just a finger to build confidence.Įvery day, have them work three to five minutes doing slow The deliberate careful way of drawing it. ![]() Slowly move your finger along the edge of the object Explain it to them by going to the objectĭrawn. The pencil through a hole in the center of a 8 x 8 inch card hides theĪnd discourages sneaking a peek. Maybe allow erasers after it is finished, but practice with extra lines until a discovery is made. Never look at the paper while the pencil moves, but lookĪt the paper any other time. Teach them to look carefully at the edge of the object being Looking carefully means following the contour slowly-about as fast as an ant could crawl along the edge. Draw invisibly on paper with only a finger before using a pencil. Air practice is simply pointing to edge of the object and drawing slowly in the air. Teach them to point with a pencil, finger, or even the nose to the subject and do a careful imaginary drawing 6 in the air. Practice builds confidence.ĪIR DRAWING: Encourage them to do imaginary drawing in the air before drawing on paper. To begin predictable, stable, fulfilling, skill building, brain Striving for a unique surprise each day in art, I propose for each day Youth, than to give them a ritual liturgy to focus on learning art? Life outside the classĪnd inside the student is turbulent, disorientating, sometimes violent, Time to cleanse souls and center consciousness. We were performing a concert, we felt we were practicing.Ĭan we ritualize the art experience? The art class needs a ![]() Never a question, "Let's see, what are we doing today?" We didn't feel Warm up the vocal cords and tune our ears at the beginning of every I remember music teachers who always had us doing vocal ![]() Between theĪnd ending rituals, during the main part of the period, we teach our On the meanings and implications of what we did today. Period, after cleaning up, with another ritual. Minutes of quiet concentrated blind contour drawing from observation ofĪ real thing, person, setup, or scene. I propose we start every class every day with a warm up ritual. One ideaīeginning of the period, the other with the end. Here are two ideas to improve the art period. I'm thinking of grades one to 12, and especially ofįragile middle school or junior high years. They long to understand the many meanings and purposes of art beyond Is much more than drawing, but deep down they wish they could draw I see many students afraid to draw and very confused < Motivation for drawing ability Art Rituals inĮmeritus Professor of Art, Goshen College
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