Gifted/talented in art?

[Acinonyx]

Dd just started preschool last week (starts school in Sep but put off preschool as she's very shy). We've thought for a while that she has an unsual talent for art - not just drawing - but a real feel and appreciation for colour and form. Preschool are already talking about her being gifted in art.

I'm really thrilled and excited about it. I am what I would call a competent artist and dh (and many of his family) is really very talented in all kinds of art - so we can relate to a lot of her queries.

But I was wondering if anyone has any experience or suggestions that we could take on board.

(Said artist is currently wailing at dh and insisting she doesn't want jammies or teeth brushed )

[cory]

No real suggestions, just wanted to say how lovely it sounds and how great that you will be able to support her.

[Kathyis6incheshigh]

How about looking out for activities at museums and galleries? They often have special events you can go to for free, or else they often now make art materials for children available in the gallery so children can do drawings inspired by what they can see there (eg York City Art Gallery does that).

[TheCrackFox]

DS1 is a gifted artist but we live in Scotland and they don't do the whole "Gifted and Talented" thing at schools. There are loads of arty farty types (me included) on both sides of the family.

Just keep encouraging her, buy her loads of art materials and trips to the art galleries.

[Acinonyx]

Yes, I think we do have a gallery in town that has regular kids activities.

I am wondering what we are going to do with all dd's creations - espeically the large sticking projects. It seems such a shame to throw them out. Dh is the worst, I sneak them into the bin when he's at work but he sometimes 'rescues' them

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

I scan all of the things my DC bring home. Then the extra special ones go up in the kitchen before being transferred to a large portfolio folder, then in boxes in the loft. I'm sure I won't be so sentimental in years to come though.

[messymissy]

I agree with TDWP - try to keep as much as possible, an artist always likes to look back on what they have made, it helps with new ideas and is encouraging as progress becomes evident. Keep things in a portfolio - you can make your own from two large sheets of cardboard hinged with tape both sides of the seam (to prevent sticking) or buy inexpensive plastic ones from art shops. Every now and then, if its getting too full, ask her what she wants to keep.

As Kathyis said, loads of art galleries and museums have free events for young children and often provide free activity packs.

Art books for children are good to look through too.

Also look out for things like THE BIG DRAW.

As a child i drew daily, and painted whenever i could, my parents always made sure i had plenty of materials and were very encouraging.

encourage her to look at her own work and artists work and say what she likes / does not like about it.

you could encourage her to keep a sketch book - let her fill it with what ever she likes, from the train ticket for a day out, to a drawing of the dog - a child needs to feel not the least bit self conscious of what she makes, all art is good. if she feels there is a right way or wrong way to do something it stifles creativity.

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

Waterstones has a brilliant selection of art/activity books too.

[LadyGlencoraPalliser]

I have a huge (A1) folder for each of the children. All their best stuff goes in there. The rest is sneaked quietly into the bin after a while.

[seeker]

I don' have a gifted artist - but one thing I never economize on (unless things are really tight!) is arty materials. Cheap paint is fine (sometimes with paint it's quantity rather than quality) but try to buy good quality pencils, crayons, pastels and paper. It makes a huge difference - dd in particular used to get very frustrated when crayons weren't smooth and the black wasn't really black or the pencils were 'scratchy".

[Acinonyx]

I agree Seeker - we are all quite fussy about our materials. Sometimes when I see the sad dried out collections of pens her friends have I wonder if that is why they never use them....

[figroll]

Hi

My older daughter is very good at art. She has always loved drawing - I know most girls like to colour, but she never tired of it and preferred it to most other activities. My younger dd also liked colouring, but she wasn't ever as good as my dd1 and sort of grew out of it at about 8 or 9.

The point at which I realised that dd1 was going to be a good artist (or at least her class teacher realised - I lack any artistic talent whatsoever) was when in reception she drew a vase of flowers. It had blue sky right down to the table on which it was standing, and although still infantile, the proportions were all right. She coloured all in one direction too from a young age - my younger dd's colouring was much more scribbly.

She is 17 now and doing A level art and is still passionate about it.

[onegiantleap]

Hi

I agree with all especially about variety of materials and am snobbish about felt tips [never had them], and trips to see stuff. My son when taken to galleries as a youngster was apparently unfocused but must have been taking a lot in.

My greatest lesson has been to encourage, and allow as much freedom as possible. And never do colouring in!!!

I would also suggest talking to her about good quality pictures in story books at a young age.Sounds simple but we might not do that if we hadnt been made aware that our child had an artistic streak, and generally responding to stuff they are interested in and developing their awareness of the art that surrounds them.

Your daughter sounds great, and its very pleasing to find a skill you are gifted in.
However, she is still young, I would remember to let her explore all her interests and not just think of her as an artist. She might be really good at other subjects as well.

At similar age, 3 or 4 ds drew a train coming out of a tunnel in perspective. I can remember the teacher showing me as well. He is now 13 and about to start a BTec in visual art and design.

Sorry long post got carried away.

Hooray for artists!

[figroll]

What annoys me about art though is how little it is appreciated.

A friend of mine told me how her son's friend had got into Durham University with the same A levels as her son (he hadn't got in) and one of the As was in art! This was said as if 'anyone can do art and get an A'. The amount of work that goes into art GCSE or A level is tremendous and it shows a great passion for the subject if the kids can keep it up for the length of time they have to.

Also, we used to take my dd1 to lots of galleries when she was young and talk about paintings, etc - trying to be good parents! However, she told me recently how boring she thought they were until last year when she went to the Royal Academy and the Portrait Gallery in London (she is very good at drawing portraits). She now enjoys going but it took 16 years for her to discover the pleasure of looking at other people's art. I think when they are little they just want to do it, not see the work others have done.

Just my opinion!