INTRODUCTION
Just as everyone can learn to read, everyone can learn the basic elements of design and open the door to being an artist. You can learn to appreciate and create art if you are taught a step at a time.
CHAPTER 1: IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD...MAKE THAT HEART!
OPEN YOUR HEART AND MIND- Why do you say "I can't" Did someone some time say you couldn't draw? Are you comparing your talent to a professional who has spent thousands of hours learning and practicing their art? You have to change "I can't" to "I'm willing to try!" I'll be your cheerleader, shouting and encouraging and cheering you on every step of the way. You need to give yourself permission to learn one step at a time.
Guest essay - Overcoming Fear (Janine leBlanc)
CHAPTER 2: LEARNING THE ALPHABET
Introduction to the Elements of Design: We'll begin by learning the alphabet of art. The basic elements of design are the letters that artists use to create words, paragraphs, stories and poetry. We'll start at the beginning and work up from the sounds and shapes of letters, to the combinations that make words and sentences. We'll give you the tools for your belt and show you how to use them.
CHAPTER 3: LETTERS MAKE WORDS
Next comes putting the basic design elements we have learned about together. We've learned what the letters are and now we can put them together to create some sort of basic meanings... the beginning of words. Learn to use your creative tools from Chapter 2 to create beautiful compositions.
CHAPTER 4: HOMEWORK/ASSIGNMENTS
Student gallery examples for the following creativity exercises.
Kids go to school every day and do (seemingly endless) grammar exercises and write countless essays. They learn through practice to not only appreciate great writing but begin to write themselves. A few with the fire in their heart or language go on to write novels and poetry. If you have the fire in your heart for art you need to spend your time practicing. You also need to practice a new way of thinking. Even if you can't bring yourself to say it just take as long a time as you can spare each day and "pretend" you are an artist. It's always been amazing to me how children will live up to our expectations of them. Set your expectations for yourself high!
CHAPTER 5: CREATING YOUR MASTERPIECE
Now What!? Shakespeare didn't write Romeo and Juliet when he was six years old! He probably progressed just like the rest of us by writing a lot of awkward verses and rambling essays and letters. He practiced until he developed the skills necessary to become one of the great writers in the English language. Now it's your turn.
