Child
Art
Art
of Adolescents and Adults
By Lois E. Wilson, Senior Scribe
Former Art Education Instructor, Miami
University
It
is hoped that the positive approach of
parents and teachers to the creative efforts of
both visual and non-visualchildren
have helped children keep a positive attitude toward their art as the
stage of
critical awareness is reached. If so, they are more likely to continue
the
study of art when it is an elective.
In
adolescence, imaginative activity changes
from uncontrolled to controlled. At some
time, the child will
think that the final product created is not up to what was intended.
The
adolescent realizes that help is needed with color, shading, form, and
perspective. It is best to discuss their concerns after their work is
completed. The teacher or parent might ask, “How did you achieve this
color? What do you think is wrong with the perspective?”
After eliciting
answers, appropriate guidance can be given.
The
adolescent needs to continue improving
drawing and painting skills as well as those with other art media and
three-dimensional work. The illustrations are by Hannah McCartney; they
were
drawn in her sophomore year at Franklin Monroe High School. The changes
of
color and perspective in her sunset painting and the technique in the
drawings
show that she is developing a mature approach to her work.
Many
adults because of their critical awareness
discontinue sketching and creative art during their adolescent years.
They lost
connection with the freedom of expression they had as a child and have
not yet
found confidence in their own conscious approach. In art classes I have
taught
adult students who stopped drawing at an earlier stage. Many are in one
of the
stages of child art. Most draw at the level where they stopped years
before.
Just as with music, one does not gain expertise without practice. A
program of
sketching and class activities challenges them. They soon develop
confidence,
and their creative work advances. Drawing and painting can be a
fulfilling
activity one’s whole life. It is never too late to learn.
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