Art Lessons from Homeschool Twins

Last week we talked about how to color paintings by using watercolors. But have you wondered what other materials you could use other materials to paint with? Of course, it takes a little practice but there are simple ways to making your paintings look fabulous with little stress.

So, let’s start with other materials you can paint with. First of all there is a sea sponge, available at any craft store.  These sponges are ideal for quick paintings that will look wonderful. The first step is not to sketch anything, but rather to dip the sponge in water and squeeze it out. Then take the sponge and put it into fairly thick paint. You may want to dip it in the water again, but it is just preference. The next part is simple; dab the sponge on the page. Don’t worry too much about what shapes you are making because you are just going to look at the shape, see what it reminds you of, and fill in the rest of the picture with a paintbrush and other color. I have done this with trees, potted plants, and sidewalk grass but feel free to get creative. 

Another cool material you can try to use is a comb, which is ideal for grass, and vertical lines in quick paintings. The idea is really simple; all you have to do is create a wash and follow up with the comb. To create a wash, first wet the paper down well (either under the faucet, with a sponge, or with your paint brush), then come in with a paint brush full of color. Tada! A watercolor wash! For the comb, just dip the comb in the paint and put it over your wash once it is dry. It is a simple and fun way to create grass. 

           Have you ever wondered what watercolors were and how to work with them? Of course, it takes practice but there are simple steps to making your paintings look fabulous. For beginners it is easiest to just go to any craft store and pick up a tray of paints that say watercolor on them. But for more advanced works, I would recommend getting tubes of paint from Reeves. Although all of these are good, my personal favorites are Winsor Newton professional paints. Like so many other things, the more expensive the paints, the better the quality. But of course there are exceptions. I do not want to pressure anyone into buying paints that are really expensive. As for paint brushes, there are specific brushes for watercolors. Just ask for help at a craft store and purchase some moderately priced ones.

Have you ever wondered how to make pencil drawings look real? Of course, it takes practice but one simple thing you can do is add shading. For simple sketches, you might want to use a regular # 2 pencil, but the downside to this is that it is harder to show value (the darks and lights, and all those in between) in the piece of art. Drawing pencils are better! When first looking for drawing pencils the information on the labels might look like mumbo jumbo, but it really isn’t hard. Drawing pencils can be found at art supply stores or craft stores and they usually come in packets with four or more pencils ranging from H, the hardest pencil and lightest line, to 6B, the softest pencil and darkest line.  If you are looking for an even darker pencil, an ebony pencil or graphite stick works best.  For beginners, I’d recommend a 6B.  Hold your horses! Before drawing the picture, try working with your pencils and see how hard to press to get different shades by creating a value scale (a line of boxes with lightest to darkest).  Then experiment with different methods of shading.  There’s the crosshatching technique (lines crossed over one another), stippling (little dots next to each other), and regular shading (tilting the pencil on its side like coloring with crayons). Decide which way of shading you like best.
After the experimentation with the pencils you will be ready to make a wonderful drawing. So pick up something from around the house, like an apple, or cup, and set in a sunny spot. You will notice how there are darks and lights on that object, just like the value scale, and there is probably a shadow underneath the object. Start to sketch the object next, with whatever darkness of pencil you would like to use.  Keep in mind that you want to be able to erase your line if you make a mistake. An H pencil would work well. For this part, just do the outline of the object.  No shading is necessary.Phew! Sometimes getting the drawing just how you want it to be is hard, but once you are done with the outline it is time to do as Mrs. Frizzle says, “Take chances! Make mistakes! And get messy!” Don’t be afraid to mess up; you can always start over again another time. So, start shading those lights and darks that you identified earlier with whatever shading technique you would like to use.  Make sure you follow the shape of the object as you shade so that the shading gives it three-dimensionality.When you are done, sign your name or put your symbol on the work of art so that everyone can identify you as the artist. Remember, art is in the eye of the beholder.  Be creative. Have fun!