I wrote this post for the CM board last year but most of it is still
relevant here. It had to do with books and going to the Art Gallery. I
would certainly encourage both if you can manage it.
would certainly encourage both if you can manage it.
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One book that I have found helpful (and as a former Art teacher I really
have too many) is Looking at Pictures: An Introduction to Art for Young
People by Joy Richardson. This is my top pick if you only get one book
on art for your home. It goes through different things to look for when
you look at art work in a gallery and uses examples from the National
Gallery in London. I can go through the main topics of the book in
another post if you want a run-down. Sharing a book like this and
talking through some things can be helpful before you take them to the
gallery so they can look out for things themselves. Often then they can
explain to you a bit better what they think about an art work as they
have been given a “language” to use.
have too many) is Looking at Pictures: An Introduction to Art for Young
People by Joy Richardson. This is my top pick if you only get one book
on art for your home. It goes through different things to look for when
you look at art work in a gallery and uses examples from the National
Gallery in London. I can go through the main topics of the book in
another post if you want a run-down. Sharing a book like this and
talking through some things can be helpful before you take them to the
gallery so they can look out for things themselves. Often then they can
explain to you a bit better what they think about an art work as they
have been given a “language” to use.
Regarding the Art Gallery, may I suggest that you take pencils and sketch pads with you? The
children may not actually use them at all especially if they are
getting tired as you do walk around lot in a gallery. However, you may
like to suggest to them that they do some drawing if they are inspired
by a picture. Mine will copy parts of a picture and it is often
something small as they can't sit for hours. Often the masters of old
learned that way too!
children may not actually use them at all especially if they are
getting tired as you do walk around lot in a gallery. However, you may
like to suggest to them that they do some drawing if they are inspired
by a picture. Mine will copy parts of a picture and it is often
something small as they can't sit for hours. Often the masters of old
learned that way too!
A book can never truly capture the use of light in some paintings. For example, Monet's colours are richer and more vibrant in person. So if you want to pull out some of these sorts
of observations, then I'm sure the children will get a lot out of it.
We also have some “Katie” books at home too – “Katie Meets the
Impressionists, Katie at the Picture Show”. There's one on the Mona
Lisa and the Sunflowers of van Gogh as well, I think. These can be good
for introducing children to artists even though they don't go into a
lot of depth about the art work themselves. The Mike Venezia books are
great too – just borrow what you can from the library if you don't want
to build up a big collection of your own.
of observations, then I'm sure the children will get a lot out of it.
We also have some “Katie” books at home too – “Katie Meets the
Impressionists, Katie at the Picture Show”. There's one on the Mona
Lisa and the Sunflowers of van Gogh as well, I think. These can be good
for introducing children to artists even though they don't go into a
lot of depth about the art work themselves. The Mike Venezia books are
great too – just borrow what you can from the library if you don't want
to build up a big collection of your own.
There really is so much out there and you really have a lot of time to explore this with
your children. If you don't get enough time to get to everything you
had thought to do, there will be other times later on. I guess I'm also
just trying to say that the last thing you want is your children to be
“put off” going to a gallery as they find it too much – too much
walking, looking, rushing from one thing to the next without having
time to go at their pace. It may mean they skip over a lot of things
you wanted to look at or only spend a minute there but I have found
dipping in and out of galleries at a younger age makes the experience
more enjoyable for all of us. So try to limit yourself to a few things
that they must see and you talk over with them and then allow the rest
to be freer for them to explore. A bit like a Nature Study walk, I
guess.
your children. If you don't get enough time to get to everything you
had thought to do, there will be other times later on. I guess I'm also
just trying to say that the last thing you want is your children to be
“put off” going to a gallery as they find it too much – too much
walking, looking, rushing from one thing to the next without having
time to go at their pace. It may mean they skip over a lot of things
you wanted to look at or only spend a minute there but I have found
dipping in and out of galleries at a younger age makes the experience
more enjoyable for all of us. So try to limit yourself to a few things
that they must see and you talk over with them and then allow the rest
to be freer for them to explore. A bit like a Nature Study walk, I
guess.
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I hope this is helpful to you as well.
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