Homeschooling the Artistic Child (When you have no art skills yourself)

Hannah is an artist. Where she got that from, the Farmer’s Wife has no idea. (Although, her Uncle is an exceptionally talented artist, so maybe from there.) But he lives in California. Not exactly close enough to help out in the training-of-her.

So, what to do? In the past, lessons had been provided in the way of Co-ops and helpful mothers who just happened to be homeschooling and who just happened to be willing. Kind of a kid swap thing–you teach my kid to cook and sew and I’ll teach yours to paint.

But Covid seemed to put an end to all that. To Co-ops. To mothers who are willing.

Now, you know the Farmer’s Wife, she’s not going to let a little thing like no teachers or lack-of-skill keep her from giving Hannah what she needs. So, she came up with a new way. And if you just happen to find yourself in the same boat (not an actual boat, more like in the same situation, as in you have an artistic child who no one is willing or able to teach), feel free to use this idea as well. She hopes it helps.

To begin with, Hannah was given artist-grade supplies: Paper, pencils, brushes, pens, and paints. You cannot expect your child to take their gifts seriously if you don’t. So buy the best you can afford. They found Hobby Lobby to have most of what they needed at a price they were comfortable with. It helps that they have frequent sales.

Next, begin with the child. What are their interests? What are they gravitating towards without your prompting? Find a simplified version of that in picture form (ex. a black and white picture of a horse, if that’s your child’s interest, and so on and so forth).The internet has endless options. For Hannah, it was Disney characters. She was looking them up on her own, and the Farmer’s Wife noticed. She asked her to draw her one. And she did. Then she drew more. Fairly soon, Hannah had filled a sketch-book with very basic, thick lined drawings. But they were good. And she knew it.

And she was told it.

Success breeds success. Hannah wanted more. Her mother encouraged her to add color. And try with a more complicated character. And then maybe add the background. With each increasingly complex project, Hannah’s confidence increased. She began looking for new and different ways to stretch herself. She began giving her drawings as gifts.

Next, her mother gave her books, filled with illustrations. She showed her how each artist had their own voice, their own style. Hannah began to realize that could be true of her, as well. She had copied others, and that was good. It gave her the foundations. It taught her colors, proportions, and depth. Now, it was time to find her own voice. Her own style.

Her mother gave her a book without illustrations. “Close your eyes,” she said. “Picture in your mind what this character looks like. What her world looks like. What the story looks like.”

Hannah nodded, seeing a world all her own.

“Now, create it.”

Her hand went to the page and she drew, something completely new. Something completely Hannah.

And your child can and will do that, too. If you gently encourage what’s already there.