Art Project #40- How to Draw Books & 10 Benefits to Using Them

My boys use this series for writing called Draw Write Now and we just love that it combines art with writing.  There are so many benefits to drawing and my kids are often reluctant to try having been frustrated with drawings that they didn't like in the past.

Since we've just jumped right into our schoolwork this year we have already pulled out our new Draw Write Now book as well as our older two books.  We also have a Draw and Write Through History book that my boys can choose to work with.  We have found so many wonderful benefits to using these how to draw books to teach drawing.



As they were painstakingly following the drawing directions the other day I was struck by what wonderful lessons they really were!

Usually we are focusing on these books for the writing, spelling, penmanship and punctuation.  I always looked at the drawing as a fun bonus for the hard work of writing but it struck me this week what a great art lesson it was and so we had to include it as part of our 100 Days of Art Challenge!

Evan's turtle (he was even inspired to draw seaweed and water around it!)


Alec's crab 

Ian's Viking Longhouse 

I have found quite a few benefits to using these how to draw books (as well as several others we have lying around).

1. How to to draw books break up drawings down into small steps so it's easy to follow along and see how complex objects are made up of smaller pieces.

2.  By following the directions the kids feel a great sense of accomplishment because they have a finished picture that everyone can recognize.

3.  How to draw books are available in a wide range of subjects so they appeal to most everyone.

4.  The act of drawing builds fine motor skills and many of the steps in the drawing books are quite detailed; requiring students to draw on and hone their fine motor skills.

5.  Using the how to draw books spark creativity. While my kids are learning how to draw specific objects and animals they often color them, add other details or even modify drawings to look like other animals or objects not covered by our books.

6.  How to draw books draw children's attention to details and I find that my kids are learning so much about each subject as they draw them.  With our Draw Write Now & Draw and Write Through History books my boys are also tying all these details and drawings in with the facts they are writing about.  

7.  My boys have learned to pay close attention to the instructions!  I'm hoping one day this will transfer over to paying attention to all instructions but... well... that may be pushing it.

8.  Most of the books require a light hand at drawing with some erasing here and there so my boys learn that drawings rarely come out perfectly on the very first attempt.  There are steps, corrections, and "mistakes" made in everything we do.

9.  These book often teach perspective; you can't draw an animal with all four legs showing at the same time, you can't draw a car with all four tires shown at the same time, etc.  My kids learn how to draw what they see and not what they know about the object.  

10.  Drawing can be FUN! And anyone can draw.  


Our other art projects:
Project 1: Painting with Hexbugs
Project 2: Tissue paper flowers
Project 3: Star Wars Crafts
Project 4: Watercolor compass circles
Project 5: Floral pens
Project 6: Watercolor outlines
Project 7: Scratch art jellyfish
Project 8: Oil pastel flowers
Project 9: Fingerprint dandelions 
Project 10: Beaded Sun Catchers
Project 11: Bird Crafts and Snacks
Project 12: Color Mixing Butterflies
Project 13: Water Gun Art 
Project 14: Using Watercolor Kits
Project 15: Dragonfly Silhouette Paintings 
Project 16: Painting Pet Rocks
Project 17: Spray Paint Resist 
Project 18: Water Bottle Windsock 
Project 19: Stained Glass Kits 
Project 20: Tin Can Windsock
Project 21: Firework Glue Art
Project 22: Qixel Art
Project 23: Makit Bakit Kits 
Project 24: Wood Burning Project 
Project 25: Making Our Own Raft
Project 26: Spray Painted Canvas
Project 27: Paper Bowl Jellyfish 
Project 28: Tin Foil Art
Proejct 29: Oil Pastel Bubbles
Project 30: Chalk Pastel Paintings 
Project 31: Washi Tape Votive Holders
Project 32: Drip Painted Pots
Project 33: Sun Art 
Project 34: Tissue Paper Transfer
Project 35: Stained Glass Class
Project 36: Visiting the Art Museum 
Project 37: Taking an Art Class
Project 38: Making Minecraft T-shirts

Comments

  1. Kym ThorpeSeptember 29, 2016 at 8:19 PM

    My kids have enjoyed various "how to draw" books over the years as well. Thanks for linking this to the Virtual Fridge!

    ReplyDelete

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