For younger artists from ages 8 through 11, Driftless Art Kids curriculum is designed to prepare children for the Oil Painting Studio program. With a varied curriculum including drawing, painting, and other mediums, Driftless Art Kids is suited for the broad stages of development in this age group. Rather than a staged progression, Art Kids rotate through the different parts of the program until they are ready to begin simplified grayscale painting. When students are ready, or have completed all portions of the Driftless Art Kids program, they will be invited to join the Oil Painting Studio Program.
In Driftless Art Kids, we encourage students to do their best work at all times, while allowing plenty of room for their work to be children's art. What we are looking for isn't outstanding art in this age group, but developing focus, and a desire to improve,
To begin the Driftless Art Kids program, children:
- should be at least eight years old and in third grade,
- at their class time, be able to focus on their art for a full hour (not too tired or wound up from other activities), and
- want to begin learning art and want to improve their art.
To progress to the Oil Painting Studio Program, Driftless Art Kids must:
- be able to focus and work somewhat independently for 2.5 hours,
- demonstrate an intention to learn and to improve their art, and
- enjoy the process of making art, and not be concerned about getting projects done quickly.
Basic Drawing with Pencil and Charcoal
Driftless Art Kids includes elementary to somewhat advanced exercises in basic drawing techniques that artists put to use and continue to practice throughout their lives. This includes work as simple as drawing lines and curves, and as complex as pressure gradients and simple drawings from life.
The Masters
From Kahlo to van Gogh, and Rembrandt to Mondrian, students will progress through a set of exercises to teach them some basics about the history, importance, and style of the historical masters. They will even create a couple of reproductions of each master's most famous works.
Prompted Sketching
Sometimes from life, sometimes from imagination, prompted sketching is a fundamental part of many artists' day. Prompts are assigned at the beginning of class, and students will spend one hour bringing their drawing to completion.
Simplified Grisaille Painting
One hour is not a lot of time for setting up to paint and cleaning up afterward. In the painting section of Driftless Art Kids, we do that part so students can come in, sit down, and go to work. At the end of class, they can get up and leave with their parent. In between, we are introducing them to the basics of working with oil paint in grayscale.
