Bocelli or Groban? Sing or Skate?

An on-going conversation around here is who would you rather listen to? Andrea Bocelli or Josh Groban? Maybe it is my age but there is just something so much more rich to Andrea Bocelli's voice that I don't hear in Josh Groban's. It is a little less "perfect" but that is exactly why I enjoy it so much.

I am going to share a video that I enjoy watching every now and then. You tell me, would you rather be the girl who sings with Andrea Bocelli or the girl who ice skates? I can't make up my mind. :)

Enjoy and remember if you are reading on an email subscription, you will need to click over to see the five minute video.

Enjoy.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom

ABSee Photo Meme: C is for Cat

C is for cozy cat named Cocoa Bean.

Join the fun.

I also wanted to let readers know that I posted a new video over on my nature blog showing from start to finish how to use watercolor crayons to draw in your nature journal. This is sort of an expanded version of the last video.

Watercolor Crayons: Complete Demo

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Sketch Tuesday: Vegetable Dreams

First of all, I would like to welcome all the new sketchers this week!

Last week's assignment was to sketch something salty. As always, very creative entries. Thank you to all who participated.

Here is your slideshow on Flickr:
Sketch Tuesday: Something Salty

This week's assignment, due Monday February 2nd: Sketch your favorite vegetable.

Everyone is welcome to sketch and there is no need to sign up ahead of time...jump right in and complete the sketch. Finish your sketch and send it in by Monday, February 2nd and it will be included in the slideshow. Please send your sketches to sketchtuesday@yahoo.com

Thanks so much,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom

How To Get Started With Harmony Fine Arts Homeschool Art Plans

Once you receive your Harmony Fine Arts plans, either in printed copy or in the ebook format, there are a few steps you need to take to get started.

I thought it might be helpful to give a little photo tutorial on how I organize my Harmony Fine Arts materials so you will have an idea of where to start.

Although the plans are not very long or complex, once you start using the plans you will understand how these very simple schedules can be used to provide a whole year of activities.


I take the plans and slip them into sheet protectors and then into a binder. This allows me to have them readily available for use each week as I plan and then guide my boys. Now that my boys are older, they can grab the binder and find their own assignments.



After you read the introduction and the notes section, take a dry erase marker and go through the materials list and mark the books and CDs that you have already and those that you will need to order. Make sure to check your local library as well for any materials you can borrow and use instead of purchasing them. I have tried to schedule books that are widely used so there is a really good chance that your library will have some of the books used in the plans.



Once you have your list of books and CDs that you need to order, you can either go to the Harmony Fine Arts website and click through to Amazon from there or if you are using the new ebook version, you can click from the plans on your computer screen directly to the books on Amazon.com.



I always like to remind families that although I schedule specific CDs to listen to for each composer, you can be flexible and use any CD that you have on hand to save some money. The CDs in the plans are usually just suggestions to get you started. I have included links in the new ebook format to online listening in addition to the CDs.



Those are the introductory steps to help you organize your HFA plans. I hope this tutorial helps families in their preparation to use Harmony Fine Arts. If at any time you have questions, please feel free to email.

If you would like to see a sample week planned out for Harmony Fine Arts Grade One, you can pop over to this entry to see how I suggest you take a week and plan it out: Grade One Sample Week.

Also, if you are contemplating the new ebook version of Harmony Fine Arts Medieval and Renaissance Art and Music Appreciation, you might be interested in reading Hope's review of her first week using it with her son and daughter. I love her entry because she really is getting the idea of the flexibility and the freedom you have with using Harmony Fine Arts.

Hope's Review of Week One

One last thing for today....please feel free to grab the Harmony Fine Arts button to use on your blog if you are using the Harmony Fine Arts plans. There is one in this entry as well as one on the right sidebar of my blog.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Drawing With Children-Think of It As Copywork

"We need to stop mystifying the drawing process and explain to students how artists actually achieve the results they do. For instance, Picasso and Michelangelo both copied other artists' work for at least two years as part of their initial art training. When Picasso began to express himself in what were considered "unique" styles he was actually copying many of his images from African masks. Painters such as Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec worked from photographs of their subjects, and many famous painters have used each other's paintings for inspiration."
Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes, page 11 in the section, Changing Your Attitudes and Abilities

For many of us who grew up wanting to be better artists, this idea that real artists worked hard at learning by copying other artists would have been like a breath of fresh air. I remember sitting many times in front of a blank page and trying to use my imagination to congure up something interesting to draw and it wouldn't happen. I thought that all *real* artists were able to have a flash of inspiration and off they would go with pencils and paints, going on to make a work of art that all could admire. I did not have anyone to tell me that learning to draw and paint were skills that needed to be learned and nurtured.

Now as an adult when I work with children, I try to remind them how it was when they learned to read and write. It wasn't easy, it didn't happen overnight, and it took lots of practice and guidance. Charlotte Mason used dictation and copywork to instruct her students in language arts and similarly, she used picture study and then subsequent copying of the painting to teach art skills by imitation. She provided lots of time to freely use materials and to work carefully to copy the artist's style and subject.

I am suggesting that parents begin to view picture study as a stepping stone to learning to draw. Copywork of a sort. We all have become familiar with the idea of having our children copy passages of well written literature and poetry and I am going to suggest that we give copywork in art the same focus to see how it works and how our children benefit from not only viewing great artwork but to then go one step further and try to imitate the style and technique on their own.

Not only is copying paintings a great way to train the eyes to really see the painting, but it is an enjoyable way to spend a few hours. There is a sense of freedom in having the subject clearly before you and to see how the artist solved the problems that he encountered....how to make a tree look like a tree but not exactly like a tree or how to draw a mountain in the background and have it look as if it were in the distance. Eyes are trained to look for shadow and reflection and to use color and texture to make paintings more realistic. These are all ways that we can allow our children to not only experience the painting intimately but then to allow a little freedom to add their own signature to the finished product. No matter how many children paint Van Gogh's Starry Night, each one will be unique and have a little of that child's personality hidden in the brushwork.

We have used this "art coypwork" in our family for many years and I have seen my children's confidence grow. Here are a few examples of our most recent attempts at art copywork.

Michelangelo's Creation of Adam
We only sketched the hands.



Claude Lorrain's Lanscape with Apollo and Mercury
My son chose to paint just the background for this project. You can view the complete painting at the top of this entry.


Ruysdael's Benthium Castle
This is a work in progress but you get the idea. We are using oil paints for this project and it allows the boys to work over a period of a couple of weeks on the same project.


I am firm believer that the learning happens in the process of a project and not so much in the finished product. Are the boys always happy with the finished work? Nope. Are they willing to give the next project a try? Yes. Each time they tackle this sort of project....sometimes on their own initiative.....I see the satisfaction with their own work growing. My goal is not to make great artists of my children but to introduce them to a very enjoyable way to spend their time and maybe learn something along the way as well. (Shhhhh, don't let them hear me say that.)

Art Copywork....my next great passion.

Even after saying all that, I know one of my sons would rather be working on this...

Or something like this.....


Oh well, there is a time a place for most things.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

ABSee Photo Meme: P is for Pink

Surprisingly pink geraniums in my winter garden. Yes, I am a pink girl....and purple too.

Join the ABSee Photo Meme.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Sketch Tuesday: Salt of the Earth

The last assignment was to sketch something that goes fast. So many things that go fast...I love all the hummingbirds and rabbits!


Please enjoy your slideshow and I hope you all decide to participate next week.

Here is your slideshow on Flickr:
Sketch Tuesday: Something That Goes Fast

This week's assignment, due Monday January 26th: Sketch something salty.

Everyone is welcome to sketch and there is no need to sign up ahead of time...jump right in and complete the sketch. Finish your sketch and send it in by Monday, January 26th and it will be included in the slideshow. Please send your sketches to sketchtuesday@yahoo.com


Don't forget today is also the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival!

Thanks so much,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom

John James Audubon: A Couple of Ideas

A couple of weeks ago I shared my new bird window area where we can observe our birdfeeders as we sit our school table.

Two things that I have enjoyed about the area are the little postcard size print from my set of Audubon postcards and the book, The Boy Who Drew Birds. (Both items are linked at the bottom of this post.) I have enjoyed browsing through the book several times in the last week and every time I pick up something new about his story. I also love the watercolor illustrations.

"John Audubon said that as soon as he began waling and talking, his father constantly pointed out objects in nature. His father would bring him birds and flowers and show him details such as the birds' elegant movement, or the softness of the feathers, or how they showed fear or pleasure, or their perfect form. He would talk about their seasonal migrations, where they lived and how they would change. It was this early influence that excited Audubon and inspired him to make birds his life's work and think about the God who created them."
Charlotte Mason, volume 1 page 59

This is the very reason that I persist in sharing my passions and beliefs with my children. Every time we speak about something we see in nature, we are training their minds to think more deeply about who created it and how we can learn more about the Creator from observing what we see. Birds are fantastic subject for seeing the artistry in the creation around us.

Even in the middle of winter, there are birds that come everyday to entertain and impress us with their beauty and their antics. I have been trying to make a good sketch of one of the juncos that are frequently under the feeder every day. They do not perch on the feeder but they love to scratch around in the leaves under the feeder to find some seeds. I have quickly learned that I need some more practice sketching birds in general. My son loves to draw birds and has been giving me some pointers. I have all winter long to work on my skills. :)


The bird window has inspired us to start another window in the living room of our house. I gathered a variety of plants to put on top of the table and now it is a nice area to view when I sit in my comfortable chair. The cat discovered that the table is a great place to watch birds in the front yard.

So what started out as a bird window has really turned into a bird/drawing/reading place that all of us enjoy. When we get tired of the Audubon theme, I will look for something new to display. Don't you love homeschooling?

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

ABSee Photo Meme: S is for Ski School

Our homeschool ski school is now in session. The first day on the slopes was a beautiful sunny day with no lift lines.


My middle son opts to snowboard and he is riding a brand spanking new board he earned the money for all by himself doing odd jobs. It was a proud moment for him. He had a blast learning all the ins and outs of the new board.


The afternoon sun was warm as this son caught up on a little reading after lunch.

The first session of ski school for the year was a grand success.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

ABSee Photo Meme: R is for Reflection

I am obsessed with reflections lately.


Both of these photos were taken on our Winter Wednesday walk yesterday.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

New Harmony Fine Arts Overview Chart and A Favor To Ask

I just finished a complete revised Overview Chart for Harmony Fine Arts.

Here is the link:
Harmony Fine Arts Overview Grades 1-12

I also have a favor to ask. If you have a minute, could you pop over to my daughter's blog and leave her an encouraging comment. The new CPSI regulations are going to force her to shut down her art, nature, and handicraft business as of February 9th. I know most of you have been hearing the buzz about the stricter regulations on toys and products that are marketed to children age twelve and under. These requirements for testing on products marketed to children are expensive and are in no way affordable for Amanda's small business. She is hoping to sell out of the current winter kits by the February 9th cutoff date so if you are still thinking about purchasing one, this is a good time to do so.

She will be continuing with her notebooking pages and lapbook kits and hopefully some new products but her sewing and craft projects are on hold until the law is changed to be more reasonable. Amanda is very sad to discontinue the kits because so many families benefited from the concept of an all-in-one package of goodies that comes seasonally. She loves designing and implementing her ideas and then sharing with others. It is going to be a very sad day when she can no longer offer something that she knows is completely safe because she cannot afford the government required certificate. I told her to look at the opportunity to come up with some new and creative ideas and ways for offering the same sort of products she had in the kit but without selling the materials. She thinks that the appeal of the kit was that it had all the parts necessary to pick it up and complete the activities. She will come up with a solution....she is just that kind of gal.

Anyway, thanks for listening and I hope you will just click over and give her a word of encouragement. This new law will discourage a lot of young entrepeneurs from giving a business idea a try.

Harmony Fine Arts is going to be okay under the new regulations. I do not market my products to children twelve and under.

Hearts and Trees and CPSI

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Sketch Tuesday: Need for Speed

The last assignment was to sketch something you wear on your hand. These kids always amaze me with their creativity. Thanks to all the many, many participants this week...I enjoyed every sketch and I am sure you will too! There was a record number of sketches turned in this week!!!

Here is your slideshow on Flickr:
Sketch Tuesday: Something You Wear on Your Hand

This week's assignment, due Monday January 19th:
Sketch something that goes fast.

All sketchers are welcome and it is always fun to see how even children in the same family come up with different ideas for the sketch. Complete your sketch and send it in by Monday, January 19th and it will be included in the slideshow. Please send your sketches to sketchtuesday@yahoo.com

Thanks so much,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Tapestry of Grace Yr 2 Unit 2 Unit Celebration

For those families that are using or thinking about using Tapestry of Grace Year 2 plans, I have been documenting our unit celebrations as they have been completed. Sometimes we put a lot of work into the activities but our Unit 2 Celebration covering the Renaissance period of time was simple but yet lots of fun. I knew I wouldn't have a lot of time to prepare so we chose fairly simple projects to include.

This unit celebration was just for our immediate family. Even though it was really just their father and their siblings that came to view the projects, it still gave the boys a sense of accomplishment and finality to have their work on display for others to view. There were some great conversations as well as their siblings read over their work.

1. I made a display with some of their writing pieces from the unit. I put out their photography and art projects for all to view.


I hung up their Baroque artist posters along with the "museum guides" that went along with them.

2. I made a display with their science binders, a few reports, their shell collection, and put out their robotics photos for all to view.

After each person was finished viewing the work, I had a clipboard for each boy where they made a short written comment to each of the boys as a way to express what they liked about their work and projects accomplished during this unit.

3. We had simple refreshments of assorted chocolate candy and juice before going to the living room for the next phase of the celebration. (I totally forgot that I was in charge of refreshments and these were things we had on hand.)

4. The boys had prepared a "reader's theater" activity which consisted of picking a scene from one of the Shakespeare plays they read during the unit. They chose King Lear and then the first scene for us all to perform. They made up folders for each of use with a summary of the play's plot, descriptions of the characters in the scene, and then a script for each of us. We all had parts in the reading. It was so much fun!

5. Afterward, we went outside for a little star gazing. We had a star chart in a book and we used that to try to find some constellations. The moon was super bright and so we didn't have the best view of the stars but we were trying to see if we could all find the North Star, Ursa Major, and Orion's Belt. We were successful and very cold.

6. Back inside again someone mentioned hot cocoa so we were all in the kitchen to enjoy a cup of steaming cocoa and some more laughs.

A unit celebration for Tapestry of Grace doesn't always need to be elaborate. In fact, I think this was one of our favorite celebrations that we have had so far. I will try to remember that when I am planning the next one.

For a description of any of the art projects mentioned in this entry, here is a link that shares the plans for each one.
Unit 2 Art and Music plans

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Guest Photographer: Skateboard

This is what happens when you leave two boys alone with a camera.



I am loving the shadows as much as the photos.



They took about twenty photos of pretty much the same thing.



Like I said earlier in the week...boys will be boys. :)
(Yes boys...I noticed the lack of a helmet....)

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

ABSee Photo Meme: T is for Twisted

This is my first entry in the ABSee Photo Meme and I learned something new about my camera. It is a fairly new camera so every time I pick it up, I pull out the manual as well and read a page or two. This is the first time I have ever taken the time to see how to make a camera do what I want it to do and I am having great results.

Letter T

Twisted


So this sweet pea vine is trying to hold tight to anything it can get it little tendrils onto....which in this case is the nearby blackberry vine which is still full of thorns and old dried up blackberries. This area of the yard is a favorite of the white-crowned sparrows who come here every morning to sit in the sun. They think they are protected in amongst the vines and thorns so I guess the thorns are seen from different perspectives. The birds feel protected and my hands feel cautioned. Perspective indeed.


Here is another twisted spot that I thought was interesting, it doesn't know which way is up apparently so it decided to twist around upon itself. I think there is a lesson in there somewhere.

This afternoon there was another visitor to this little corner....a hawk. He was sitting on the branches of the flowerless, leafless forsythia bush. After that he flew up into the tulip tree and this is the photo my son took....yes it really was foggy again today. I think he took this around 3 PM and the fog still hadn't lifted.

Another T Photo

Treat


One letter done and fifty-one more to go.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Winter Break Projects

Winter break was spent at home this year...no long trips but lots of family time. This gave us all room to think and ponder life. My youngest spent a lot of time outdoors with his basketball even though it was *freezing* outdoors, literally. This day I captured him daydreaming and steaming up the front window. The weather may look sunny and warm but it was cold!


I was inspired to work on the window area near our school table. I started with a clean slate and gathered little bits to become what I affectionately call the bird window. Our field guides are handy and some watercolor notepads I had are now stacked up with a new set of watercolor pencils and a pot full of brushes.

Here is a closer look. I added a jar for feathers and little vase of winter flowers/weeds that I found on a walk the other day.


This is actually a labor of love that my middle son started over the break. He is building a model airplane from scratch. This is just part of the wing. He printed the plans from the internet and purchased the balsam wood at the hobby shop. He is cutting it all by hand and using his model building skills to put this gigantic thing together. He needs a bigger workshop.


What are these hands up to?

He is creating the latest Lego animated movie for our family's enjoyment. The story includes a time machine and a motorcycle......how can you go wrong?

This was my husband's winter break project. It is a huge cabinet made to hold all my scrapbooks. He has built every square inch of it and I feel loved. He still needs to stain and seal the top but it is almost done! Thanks honey.

Don't you love the map he framed for me as well? These projects meant new tools and that is the key to motivate this woodworker. I have no idea what a biscuit joiner is but it made my dh happy.

We enjoyed a new game over the break as well. Castle Keep is a keeper in our family. The idea is simple but the strategy gets tougher as everyone learns to play.

I purchased ours on Amazon.com but I have seen it all over the place. I justified a new game by saying it fit in with our Medieval/Renaissance studies.

We had some beautiful snow over the break as well and the boys reveled in a little snow play. We took a hike in the snow and I shared the day over on my nature blog if you want to see those gorgeous photos and a little video.

This week we are starting off with a normal week but my husband is having hand surgery on Thursday and will be off work for about six weeks recovering. Things are always a little different when dad is home....if you know what I mean. (Read: distractions)

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of our projects from the break. We will be having our Tapestry of Grace Unit 2 celebration this weekend and I will share that next week.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom