Whether you're fostering the little artist IN YOU, or you have a little artist at home whom you'd like to nurture and foster their creativity, this is for you.Kim, at All Smilez art school honestly believes we are all...
Whether you're fostering the little artist IN YOU, or you have a little artist at home whom you'd like to nurture and foster their creativity, this is for you.
Kim, at All Smilez art school honestly believes we are all artists whether we know it or not. Back when we were children we were able to enjoy making art (until something went wrong and we got the idea that we were no good, or should stop). So, it's important that we help the children (or inner child) in our lives and protect them from whatever it is that separates people who think they're artists and those who think they're not.
So, start now, doing what Kim does in her art classes for kids, or even in her online art classes for kids. Ensuring you do these 3 things to foster the artist.
1. WORDS - what you say and how you say it.
These are the words in your head as well as the words you say aloud. If you create a mindset within yourself as an influencer of young people, then please make sure its positive and boosting. BUT, it's important not to just throw nice words around.
Young artists are good at knowing when something is fake.
Which is why Kim suggests that you get it in your head that EVERYONE'S AN ARTIST.
If you can start to trust that each and every one of us has the ability to think like an artist, and create cool art in our own way, then use words of encouragement.
NICE STUFF TO SAY TO A YOUNG ARTIST:
- what are you experimenting with today?
- would you like to tell me about this?
- what are you learning from what you tried?
- I like the ___________ in your drawing. (insert: colour, lines, arrangement on the page, patterns, whatever you notice). They'll trust you more if you notice things that are true.
- how are you feeling about your drawing? Let them talk if they want.
- would you like me to put this on the fridge? If they are proud of their work, this is how you'll find out.
- I love how you are always trying new ideas!
- are you going to sign your name?
- would you like to put the short date on it so that when you look at it again in the future you'll know how old you were?
DO NOT SAY:
- Wow that's awesome, cool, amazing...... every single time the young artist shows you something.
- What is it? - never say that.
- oh that looks like....... - just don't interpret too quickly.
2. VALUING THEIR BEST WORK
How do you know when it's their best work? If you are not sure then perhaps it's because it seems rushed to you, or too messy or?? Rather than making comments that might upset them, you could ask how they feel about this piece and ask them how THEY know whether a piece of art is a sketchbook practise, or if it's framable.
If they are not sure, you could ask them to think about why they are creating BEFORE THEY START. Try to catch them when they are sitting down to draw.
Ask, will you be just doodling, learning, experimenting today? OR are you making something for the wall, or for a card for someone?
Ask -What do you need when you're planning something to frame?
Help them think about the size of the paper required, will the drawing or painting materials work on this kind of paper, and will your idea fit into the space on the page?
Help them draw a wee soft border around the page which will help to frame their composition, and help you when you go to frame it because some paper will need to be behind the frame or matting, to keep it held in.
When you have a piece of art that they love and you love, then you have a winner and it should be displayed and shown off. Talk about the stuff in it that catches your eye. Say that ___ catches my eye because I love how it overlaps.. or how the colour blends, or how the texture is interesting in that part, or the expression on the face, or .... something specific about that piece of art. (as in number 1, above) And let them hear you talking about their art to other people.
3. GET THEM A MENTOR
Find someone else who knows how to talk to kids about their art. This is very important that your little artist feels like they are growing as an artist, and has someone who can validate and steer them when they need it. Ask a teacher, friend, family member.
For a range of long or shorter term options, you can get someone online.
Kim Garside, in Hamilton NZ helps kids all over the world in her online art courses. The best part of the online courses, is seeing the kids post their work under each lesson. AND the boost that the parents get as well, because in the video lessons that parents AND kids enjoy, Kim talks to your artist about how to think like an artist. Parents can also grow their inner artist, and voila, family drawing sessions!
Through years of teaching art to small groups in her home studio in Hamilton NZ, Kim has a way of diving deep into the artists knowing, and core beliefs in their drawing ability.
Consistency is key, whatever you do.
Grow that young artist!
allsmilez.com/onlineart for more info about ways Kim can help you.
Kim, at All Smilez art school honestly believes we are all artists whether we know it or not. Back when we were children we were able to enjoy making art (until something went wrong and we got the idea that we were no good, or should stop). So, it's important that we help the children (or inner child) in our lives and protect them from whatever it is that separates people who think they're artists and those who think they're not.
So, start now, doing what Kim does in her art classes for kids, or even in her online art classes for kids. Ensuring you do these 3 things to foster the artist.
1. WORDS - what you say and how you say it.
These are the words in your head as well as the words you say aloud. If you create a mindset within yourself as an influencer of young people, then please make sure its positive and boosting. BUT, it's important not to just throw nice words around.
Young artists are good at knowing when something is fake.
Which is why Kim suggests that you get it in your head that EVERYONE'S AN ARTIST.
If you can start to trust that each and every one of us has the ability to think like an artist, and create cool art in our own way, then use words of encouragement.
NICE STUFF TO SAY TO A YOUNG ARTIST:
- what are you experimenting with today?
- would you like to tell me about this?
- what are you learning from what you tried?
- I like the ___________ in your drawing. (insert: colour, lines, arrangement on the page, patterns, whatever you notice). They'll trust you more if you notice things that are true.
- how are you feeling about your drawing? Let them talk if they want.
- would you like me to put this on the fridge? If they are proud of their work, this is how you'll find out.
- I love how you are always trying new ideas!
- are you going to sign your name?
- would you like to put the short date on it so that when you look at it again in the future you'll know how old you were?
DO NOT SAY:
- Wow that's awesome, cool, amazing...... every single time the young artist shows you something.
- What is it? - never say that.
- oh that looks like....... - just don't interpret too quickly.
2. VALUING THEIR BEST WORK
How do you know when it's their best work? If you are not sure then perhaps it's because it seems rushed to you, or too messy or?? Rather than making comments that might upset them, you could ask how they feel about this piece and ask them how THEY know whether a piece of art is a sketchbook practise, or if it's framable.
If they are not sure, you could ask them to think about why they are creating BEFORE THEY START. Try to catch them when they are sitting down to draw.
Ask, will you be just doodling, learning, experimenting today? OR are you making something for the wall, or for a card for someone?
Ask -What do you need when you're planning something to frame?
Help them think about the size of the paper required, will the drawing or painting materials work on this kind of paper, and will your idea fit into the space on the page?
Help them draw a wee soft border around the page which will help to frame their composition, and help you when you go to frame it because some paper will need to be behind the frame or matting, to keep it held in.
When you have a piece of art that they love and you love, then you have a winner and it should be displayed and shown off. Talk about the stuff in it that catches your eye. Say that ___ catches my eye because I love how it overlaps.. or how the colour blends, or how the texture is interesting in that part, or the expression on the face, or .... something specific about that piece of art. (as in number 1, above) And let them hear you talking about their art to other people.
3. GET THEM A MENTOR
Find someone else who knows how to talk to kids about their art. This is very important that your little artist feels like they are growing as an artist, and has someone who can validate and steer them when they need it. Ask a teacher, friend, family member.
For a range of long or shorter term options, you can get someone online.
Kim Garside, in Hamilton NZ helps kids all over the world in her online art courses. The best part of the online courses, is seeing the kids post their work under each lesson. AND the boost that the parents get as well, because in the video lessons that parents AND kids enjoy, Kim talks to your artist about how to think like an artist. Parents can also grow their inner artist, and voila, family drawing sessions!
Through years of teaching art to small groups in her home studio in Hamilton NZ, Kim has a way of diving deep into the artists knowing, and core beliefs in their drawing ability.
Consistency is key, whatever you do.
Grow that young artist!
allsmilez.com/onlineart for more info about ways Kim can help you.
