Nothing makes my children happier then an afternoon spent at the table with art supplies of almost any type. Whether it is modeling clay, charcoal pencils, watercolors, or paints on canvas — they just love to create. I’ve always encouraged this by providing stacks of construction paper, scissors, and glue from the time they are tiny and continuing to build on the available art supplies as they mature.
As I type, my two middle children have been constructing a doll house from five cardboard boxes, scissors, tape, and paint. It is quite elaborate and they have spent hours creating and playing with this art project. Fortunately, the mess has been contained in the garage!
As I’ve considered ways to get more “formal” art education into their young minds my kids and I started looking for resources. We’ve found some that are pretty amazing! This is our Visual Arts Ultimate Homeschool Resource List.
Art-Related Printables
I Can’t Draw People Until I Practice from Awesome Artists.com
Color Wheel Printable from MrPrintables.com
Teaching Art With LEGO printable from Word Traveling
Art Lessons
Busy Teacher’s Guide to Art Lessons from Teacher Created Materials
How to Teach Art by Barry Stebbing of How Great Thou Art
Art and the Bible for Children by Barry Stebbing of How Great Thou Art
The Student’s Guide to Keeping an Art Journal by Barry Stebbing
Art Lab for Kids by Susan Shwake
Artistic Pursuits by Brenda Ellis — I have two children using these books right now and they are both enjoying it!
Art Video Lessons
Bible Stories Art Lessons from See The Light Shine – my children love these!
Art Projects Videos (High School Credit) from See The Light Shine
Atelier Arts Attack from Atalier — We have used these for years and love them!
Art Unit Studies
Artistic Nature Unit Studies from LightHome Publications
The Baroque Era: Art, Architecture and Music from Intellego Unit Studies (part of a series)
Art Teacher’s Guides
FilmTeach from Austen Sharp LLC (Instruction in the visual art of film)
A Seasonal Start to Chalk Pastels: Spring from Hodge Podge Publications
How To Teach Art to Children Grades 1-6 by Joy Evans
Art Books
These are all books we own and love.
Beautiful LEGO by Mike Doyle
A Child’s Book of Art by Lucy Micklethwait (Get your FREE discussion questions for this lovely book here.)
I Spy: An Alphabet in Art by Lucy Micklethwait
Come Look With Me: Animals in Art by Gladys S. Blizzard (part of a beautiful series)
Linnea in Monet’s Garden by Christina Björk
Marguerite Makes a Book by Bruce Robertson
The Children’s Book of Art by Usborne
Print The Legend: Photography and the American West
High Quality Art Supplies
PrismaColor Colored Pencils — both of my oldest children have their own 24 piece set of these because they are far superior to any cheap brand.
Strathmore Sketch Pads – even the youngest of my children have these affordably nice sketch pads for drawing practice.
The Blank White Canvas I have my children plan, sketch, and paint at least one of these each year.
Drawing Pencils – As soon as my kids start getting serious about sketching, we get them this simple set of charcoal pencils, blenders and erasers.
Art Apps
Art Museum: Match ‘Em Up iPod Game for 4+
Art Museum – Free iPod app for 12+ ( I suggest putting this on the parent’s device and using it for reference to famous paintings. Out of 1900 paintings or works of art some do feature nudity.
Louvre Museum Collection iPod app for 12+ (same suggestion as before).
Museum Locator (Free)
Art Podcasts
Art History Podcasts from Learn Out Loud
National Gallery of Art Video Podcast from Smithsonian (use caution as content is always changing to current exhibits)
Art Prints
The Usborne Book of Famous Paintings
Starry Night by VanGogh
Art Videos (not lessons)
Ansel Adams: American Experience (photography)
VanGogh: A Brush With Genius (painting)
This is a great list! Thanks for sharing it. I can’t wait to explore it as I start planning my next round of lessons.