Art Lesson: Draw the Parts, Create the Whole
We’re currently working through Artistic Pursuits, Book 1 for k-3. Â It’s a repeat for us as we go back through it to give my six year old the basics and arm him with projects in which he feels successful. He’s not always left with that feeling when we do projects that are on the level of his older sisters.
A few weeks ago the assignment was to draw from a photograph.  Because I can’t seem to leave any assignment exactly the way it’s written, I extended the lesson with an idea from The Artistic Woman.
First, the kids picked an animal photograph from the book selection on the table.
Next they sketched the full animal onto a sheet of watercolor paper with pencil (our paper was a little larger than 8 x 10-you want this paper to be larger than the other elements, as seen below).
After completing the full animal in pencil, I handed them 3 or 4 odd shaped smaller size pieces of watercolor paper. Â Picking features from the animal, they drew close-up images of eyes, ears, nose, claws, etc.
We stored their work until the following week.
During the next art time we pulled out all of the pieces and they traced their pencil lines with black sharpie. Â They erased their pencil lines and filled in their pictures with watercolor.
The next time I sketch or draw with with my children I’ll encourage them to remember this assignment and notice how the details of the parts make up the whole.
Beaver
by Jellybean, Age 9
Bushbaby
Mookie, Age 10
Manatee
Drummer Boy, Age 6
I think this assignment would also work well with other aspects of nature such as a tree or flowers, we’ll probably pull the idea out again in the spring.
Note:Â You may want to break this lesson into several smaller lessons, as opposed to just two. Â We put on some music or a book on tape and enjoyed some pleasant work time, but it still took a while, so pay attention to your children and their cues.
Art Resources We Enjoy: