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Kids arrive in the elementary art studio with all kinds of preconceived notions about themselves as artists.  For example, my particular favs are: "I hate art", and the ever-popular "I don't want to do this because I'm bad at drawing".  

Breaking these thought bubbles is a priority if they are going to learn anything and probably if they are going to be peaceful participants in the studio.

This is the procedure that has worked for the students in my studio--many of them with learning challenges.



(1) Training wheels: Kids are encouraged to trace to develop pencil-skill and eye-hand coordination. They are allowed to choose, print, and then trace line drawings of their favorite game characters. 

(2) Once they feel confident with the basic pencil skill, we move to trace photographs with grey tones. 

(3) After a few weeks, many students feel they are ready to start working from a reference drawing using observation of a flat surface. 

(4) Usually around mid-year I introduce 1-point perspective with guided drawing and simple 3D optical illusions. 


Student drawing of a cityscape inspired
by the work of Wayne Thiebaud
 
(5) After they feel like they are masters of all this, at least to the point of enjoyment, we move to the observation of 3D objects. 

(6) Another drawing challenge they start to enjoy is completing an image using half a masterwork.  This asks them to draw on internal images prompted by a work of art. It also encourages them to closely observe fine art. 


Throughout this process, they independently are allow to do guided drawing using videos on youtube of subjects they choose. My overall objective is to get them to like drawing by building confidence and pencil skills. As their engagement grows they will usually accept more challenging work.

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