I can't imagine a better way to really learn about the great artists than to try out their styles and methods! This ingenious book introduces 110 unique art activities to lead your child into experiencing the techniques of the great masters, from the Renaissance to the present. A brief biography of each artist is followed by a fully illustrated encounter with sculpting, drawing, architecture and more. What could be more memorable after learning about Michelangelo than to try painting while lying on your back, Sistine-chapel-style? These art appreciation lessons will not be soon forgotten! Geared for children ages 4-12. Paperback, 160 pages, black-and-white illustrations.
Fun and easy art-appreciation activities abound in this resource that features 75 American artists from colonial times to the present. A brief biography for each artist tells why his or her work is important, and a kid-tested art activity tries out the artist's approach. For Georgia O'Keeffe, the activity is a desert painting; for Frederic Remington, a face cast; for Leroy Nieman, a sketch of athletes; and for James Whistler, a clay engraving. Projects stress the creative process and encourage kids to try unusual techniques such as block printing, soak-stain, and stone carving as they learn about architecture, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. A resource guide provides a glossary of art terms, a list that groups the artists by style, a list of the artists' birthdays, an index of art supplies, and websites for viewing art online. 144 pgs Ages 9-12
How to Use Child-Size Masterpieces for Art Appreciation
This teacher/parent guidebook will help you teach hands-on art appreciation at every level, using inexpensive color postcards (sold below). The program is unique in that you can know absolutely nothing about art and learn right along with your children. Being able to handle the masterpieces is a far cry from the hands-off feeling of museums. This book will take you through the basic steps of developing art appreciation, beginning with preschoolers and advancing through high school skills:
Step 1-Match identical paintings (purchase 2 identical volumes of postcards below).
Step 2-Pair two similar paintings by the same artist.
Step 3-Be able to recognize and group four paintings by several artists.
Step 4-Learn the names of famous artists.
Step 5-Learn the names of famous paintings.
Step 6-Learn the movements or "schools" of art: Impressionism, Modern, etc.
Step 7-Learn to sort paintings by schools of art.
Step 8-Place paintings on a time line.
Paperback, 95 pages, black-and-white illustrations.
Superb, color postcards can be used to teach your children to recognize and love the world's masterpieces. These high-quality reproductions are a fraction of the normal price you'll find in museum stores. Back side of each postcard contains information such as artist's name, title, art medium, size, and which museum it is located in. I like using these with children because they are touchable and sturdy! (Note: you will encounter some nudity—I just dump those few cards.) 24 postcards in each volume.
Nothing expresses the richness and vigor of life like blooming flowers. This specially chosen collection features 24 different glorious garden scenes, envisioned by the masters of Impressionism. Iris, waterlilies, and other plants and flowers appear in natural settings in paintings by van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, and other great artists. 24 art cards.
Reproductions of 24 of the 17th-century Dutch master's most luminous paintings include "Girl with a Pearl Earring", "View of Delft", "The Love Letter", "The Music Lesson", and more. 24 art cards.
Excellent reproductions of works originally created for magazines and literary classics as well as personal paintings, landscapes and other subjects. Includes "The Wreck of the Covenant" (from Kidnapped), "The Fight in the Forest" (The Last of the Mohicans), "Still Life with Onions", "House in Maine", "Pyle's Barn" and 19 others. 24 art cards.
