Kids learn higher functions of cognition by learning how to paint. It helps them in all fields of study.
When it comes to teaching a child how to paint, there is a big debate. Should you leave the kid to her own devices or train her to be a master.
Picasso believed a child is born an artist however, it’s hard to remain one after training. On the other hand, Leonardo Da Vinci thought, a child must learn perspective and proportion to be an artist.
One thing is certain, the art created by children is more truthful than that of adults. And so, it is more valuable. Read on as I will cover what to do on both sides of the argument. You will know how to make your child a true artist capable of working on big canvases.
Buying Material
There is nothing that looks better on canvas than thick and lush oil paint. However, painting with oil is harmful to your child. I recommend that you get your child Acrylic paints.
The great thing about acrylic paints is that you can use it to look like watercolor or oil paint. Not only that, but acrylic is also completely harmless.
Other than that, you also need brushes, a palate, gesso, and a few canvases to start with. If you want your kids not to make a mess then buy them a small apron too.
Finally buy lots of paper, 2B pencils and pens. It’s up to you if you want to buy them a ruler. I think it’s better not to as it prevents freehand strokes.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of going to different stores to get these materials, don’t worry. You can get a complete painting set right away. Buy now to get the best Painting kit for children available online.
Canvas preparation
Teach your child how to prepare a canvas. She should coat the entire surface of the canvas with gesso. Let it dry for a while and soon it will be ready to paint.
How To Hold A Pencil or A Brush
Your child should hold at the top end and not the bottom of a pencil or brush. The rule is to hold it as gentle as possible. Furthermore, the child should not rest her hand or arm on anything.
Drawing
It is a good idea to introduce your child to drawing before painting. She can do so with a pen, pencil or brush and paint. Learning the basics of drawing a head looking up is a great way to start for beginners.
Freehand
Freehand drawing practice creates a unique style. What your child produces, in the beginning, may look abstract or inaccurate but that is not a bad thing. Practice will build accuracy. I think it is best to start with freehand drawing as sometimes it reveals the hidden talent of a child.
Copying
Copying things like drawing from real life is a good way to improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The objective is accuracy.
Drawing Within a Grid
If your child is keen on accurate drawing, you can introduce drawing with the help of a grid. Let your child draw something from real life on graph paper. Once complete, instruct your child to draw the same thing in a bigger and correct proportion.
Perspective and Proportion
Perspective is complex for a child to learn. However, perspective drawing is pretty easy to understand and your child will learn how things get smaller as it goes further into the horizon.
Proportion goes hand in hand with perspective. It teaches your child that regardless of the size of an object, the proportion remains the same even if you are a few feet ahead of or you are near the horizon.
Painting
Now that your child knows a thing or two about drawing, it’s time to start painting. I like to believe that there is no such thing as a mistake in painting. And at the same time, painting techniques open up the possibility of unbelievable realism.
Make a mess vs Following a Grid
The first time your child encounters a canvas is special. Give her the freedom to do whatever she wants with the paints. You will find the end product to be amazing and emotionally truthful.
However, if your child wants to draw something that she has seen from real life, a grid can help. First, tell her to draw something on graph paper. Next, ask her to draw a grid on the canvas on a larger scale. Afterward, the same paper drawing can be done in a bigger proportion on the canvas.
Using Raw Paint or With Water
If your child wants to create an artwork that has a smooth surface like a watercolor painting, use water. If she wants tangible texture on the surface of the canvas like thick oil paint, avoid water. Acrylic paint makes it possible in both ways.
Using Primary Colors
Teach your child the use of primary colors early. Red, yellow, and blue can turn just about any color imaginable by mixing with black or white. For example, red and blue make purple. If you add white to the purple you get a lighter tilt of purple. And if you add black you will get a darker shade of purple.
Mixing Colors
Mixing the primary colors creates the secondary colors. Red and blue make purple and blue and yellow make green. And if you mix red and yellow you get orange. So, the secondary colors are orange, purple, and green.
Mixing the primary and secondary colors leads to endless possibilities of colors. Each combination has many tilts and shades depending on how much black or white you mix with it.
Gradation
Graduation is a skill that your child will take time to learn. It is the gradual progression of one color turning into another. For Example, there are many shades of ash in between black and white.
Light and Shade
Light and shade conclude a painting. Every form is visible as a result of a light source. Every light source casts a shadow. So everything that you draw has a bright and dark surface. Your child can achieve this with the delicate application of dilute black or white on top of colorful objects.
If your child wants to achieve even more realism, explain to them how every surface reflects upon one another. So, if you are standing next to a green plant, you will have a subtle green reflection on your skin.
Self Evaluation and Accepting Feedback
Teach your child to assess her work. Furthermore, she should be able to handle criticism. These skills will help her to be more tolerant and excel in almost every field of study.
Complimenting Your Child on Her Masterpiece
Regardless of the end result, you should always remember to compliment your child on their creation. This will build her confidence and increase her dedication.
Conclusion
Learning how to paint on a canvas the right way will not hamper your child’s ability to produce abstract art. Instead, it will add more to her arsenal and help her to produce magnificent art.
It’s up to you what you want to teach your child. You can follow the traditional way to paint on canvases or just let her freestyle. The important thing is that she gets as much practice as possible and for that, you should get a lot of art material for her.Your child will have a superior brain in comparison to her peers as a result of art. Higher cognitive functioning is hard for non-artist adults but easy for young painters. She will understand the universe better with her added quality.
