Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Lessons I've Learned While Teaching


This summer I have been teaching art lessons to a number of kids, ranging in age from 4 up to 16. All these kids come with different levels of skill and interest. But it is always encouraging to me to see the joy and abandon with which kids approach making art- an abandon that is very quickly lost as they get older if it is not encouraged. So, to help me maintain a childlike enthusiasm for my art work, here are a few lessons I have learned while teaching art.

  • Nothing is a mistake. Anything can be crossed out, marked over, or incorporated into the piece.
  • If your favorite colors are pink and purple, then by all means paint everything in pink and purple.
  • When doing a self portrait, adding a crown, fairy wings, or a mermaid tail to yourself is acceptable.
  • Kids understand perspective much better than adults.
  • When in doubt, use more colors.
  • Never use just a little bit of paint when there is a lot at your disposal.
  • Draw what you love, over and over again, no matter what anyone else says.
  • You are as amazing as you think you are.
  • It's always a good idea to take a break and dance.

2 comments:

Sara Kosmer said...

LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! A quote to add to your blog:

"When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college- that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, 'You mean they forget?'"

Howard Ikemoto

Emily Clarke said...

Awesome! Thanks girl!