Drawing With Children: Real Artists-The Myth

Posted in Art ideas

Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes has been a great inspiration to our family. Most people who purchase this book skip through the introductory chapter called "Before You Draw". I think that this section of the book is the most important section of the book because it deals with the many myths that most people have about drawing. Parents need to read this section!

One myth that I especially like to share with my children is myth number 8. (page 12 in the book)

Myth: Real artists are pleased with most of what they produce.

Mona Brookes has a wonderful illustration in the book showing how to help your child work through this myth and I highly recommend you go through it with your children if you own the book. The bottom line is that most professional artists are just like the rest of us and they have some pieces of work that they are unhappy with. If children understand this idea, they will not be so quick to give up on drawing and think that they can't learn to draw. Everyone draws things they don't like but if you have the right thinking it will not discourage you from drawing it over again.

• The reality is that everyone produces art they are not satisfied with and they can make changes or start over.
• It often takes several sittings to finish a piece of artwork.
• If a child doesn't like their drawing, parents should not feel the need to talk the child into liking it.
• When a child doesn't like a drawing, help them find something they can improve on next time.

This is a first draft of a drawing my son is working on for a project in Artistic Pursuits. It is an illustration to go along with the story of St. George and The Dragon.

If you can get your child to understand this myth, they will begin to see learning to draw as a process and hopefully they will not give up.

Barb
Harmony Art Mom