Here’s the thing about the element of shape- kids draw shapes all the time. Young children naturally draw in two dimensions. There are some elements like form and space that can be little more daunting for a student of any age to really understand and illustrate. But, shapes? Exploring types of shapes in art can be enjoyed by even the youngest artist.
The Element of Form with Free Printable
Forms have length, width, and depth. This simple one page download is a great place to introduce the element of form and begin learning what form is and how to create the illusion of form in two dimensions!
Last year this time I was just beginning to think about wrapping up our first homeschool year. Here in the state of Ohio we must notify the state each year of our intent to homeschool. At the end of said year we can either choose a homeschool evaluation or have our student take a standardized test. I chose to have my four kid’s work evaluated by a local licensed teacher and here’s how that went down. (Hint, there’s a lot of hand wringing and pukey stomach stuff involved.)
This homemade harmonica is a blast if you don’t mind a little background noise. Even if you do, they are such a hoot they are worth making! Open the back door and kick your kiddos outside to enjoy the fruits of their labor!
Tissue paper art, or painting with tissue paper is a favorite activity of mine, mostly because activity transcends age. It can be done by the littlest artists or it can grow into part of a more sophisticated process for an older artists.
The Element of Value in Art an Intro and free printable
The concept of value in art has many possible definitions. For most kids the element of value in art may bring to mind a valuable painting they saw in a museum or maybe even a good deal on a new set of paints.
My memories of middle school and high school basically subsist of trying not to draw attention to myself. While I was figuring out what was going on around me my go to strategy was to fly under the radar. Who wants to be different? (It wasn’t me.)
When we first started homeschooling and people asked which school my four kids attended I would kind of mumble the words “We’re homeschoolers” under my breath. Saying they didn’t go to school and sit in a classroom all day just seemed weird. Two years later and I’ve come to adore the label of “weird homeschooler.” As proud as I am of our families educational choices it is nice when my kids can see our lifestyle reflected in the books they read. I set out on a mission to uncover some children’s books that feature homeschoolers.
Introduction to the Element of Space with Free Printable
The element of space is a pretty special one. It’s that secret ingredient that makes art go from coloring book outlines to art that looks like you could reach out and touch it.
As kids get older they tend to get a little more hesitant to create art. They begin to notice how their “ability” stacks up to the artist next to them. It’s not lost on them when their artwork doesn’t look much like the teacher example hanging at the front of the room.
The element of space helps kids create realism!
Using the tips included in the printable below gives kids distinct steps to create the illusion of depth in their artwork, and thereby create some realism! Having some tools to draw from gives kids the courage to keep making art!
Perspective is a great way to create the illusion of space!
I have to admit any kind of art that requires breaking out a ruler is not my favorite! But this book by Liron Yanconsky may make me reconsider my dislike of teaching perspective and try it again! Perspective Drawing for Kids: A Perspective Drawing Guide for Kids, Including Detailed Explanations & Step by Step Exercises is a great resource for both teacher and student! This book is especially good if you don’t feel extraordinarily confident in teaching your child about perspective but think your child would enjoy this side of art. It is something you can learn together!
While perspective is not my favorite art practice what I do love about teaching perspective is that it tends to appeal to a group of kids that maybe don’t love some of the more creative, loosey- goosey forms of art. These tend to be the kids that veer toward the logical; the ones that would make great architects and engineers gravitate towards this type of art making.
This is a great time to talk about the idea that not all “artists” sit around painting pretty pictures for a living. Art can be useful. And there are MANY ways to be an artist!
How to use this element of art printable
The goal of this printable is to give kids an easy way to record some basic ideas about how to create space. I would suggest limiting the subject matter in each “square” to something as simple as a circle. Using only a circle they can illustrate how to overlap, how to turn a circle into a sphere with shading, etc.
Using only circles (and maybe a horizon line) in each illustration will keep this exercise short and to the point.
Want to grab the element of space printable…
Do you want a copy of this one page element of space printable for your kids to learn from? These gem is free for Kitchen Table Classroom subscribers.
Use the form below to become a subscriber. Then check your email and confirm that you really meant to subscribe. Upon confirmation you’ll receive the PDF immediately!
As a subscriber you’ll also begin receiving emails from me with my newest fun projects and printable resources to inspire creativity!
Are you aleady a KTC subscriber…
If you are already a subscriber- thank you! You can still go through this same process to grab this element of space for kids printable. It’s quick and easy! You won’t be sent duplicate emails- I promise.
After you become a KTC subscriber you’ll also receive a password to my Free Resource Library where you can find this page and many other elements of art resources. You’ll also find the Free Resource Library a great place in which to browse all the free printables! (I’m talking hundreds of free pages!)
Looking for more elements of art resources…
I think that teaching the elements of art is the perfect place to start when teaching the elements of art! So much so that I created a huge vereis of printable element of art resources- all free! Check them all out here!