Fake or Fortune BBC Art Series

I stumbled upon an incredible series called “Fake or Fortune” on YouTube. (This link is to a playlist of all the episodes.)

Fake or Fortune is a BBC One documentary television series which examines the provenance and attribution of notable artworks. In each episode the presenters Philip Mould, an art dealer and historian, and journalist Fiona Bruce focus their attention on a painting (or a group of paintings), usually related to one particular famous artist. They travel around the country and the world, studying the artists at exhibitions, meeting up with international experts and following up local leads. 

Each episode follows the presenters as they investigate the paintings on a number of fronts: establishing the provenance of the piece by working backwards from present day to the time of the work’s creation; on a forensic level, with investigation and scientific tests on the materials used to help establish specific time frames; and examining the unique painting styles and quirks of the artist. This evidence is then presented to established authorities to help demonstrate the legitimacy of the work and its possible addition to the relevant catalogue raisonné.

I have loved watching this beautifully filmed documentary series. I have rejoiced at seeing famous artworks, learning about an artist’s life, works and legacy as they research the artwork, I have literally clapped my hands with joy when an artwork was declared an authentic masterpiece, now worth a fortune! I highly recommend you add the relevant episode relating to an famous artist or artwork to your Charlotte Mason Famous Artist studies.

Questions about South African Artists download

 A reader ordering my South African Artists download asked ~

“I just wanted to check with you if the artist study would be suitable for children aged 9, 7 and 5 or is it mostly aimed at older children?“

Another reader asked,

“I am new to Charlotte Mason and wondered how to use your South African Artist download?”

Here are my responses~

This  South African Artists download is designed for middle and high school students for Art History & Art Appreciation. This download includes simple biographies, Internet links and at least 4 examples of each artist’s works, as well as a blank biography page. I used it with my children when my youngest was 6 or 7 years old, and her siblings were around 9 and 13 years old. 

The wide variety of art and artists that I included in this download covers notable South African artists from the 19th century to modern contemporary artists. The art ranges from classical oil paintings to modern sculptures, classical to contemporary art, both male and female artists, and includes both European as well as indigenous artists. Many of the artists produced landscapes or portraits, some were sculptors. One South African artist’s traditional Ndebele style was famously used to paint a car and even an aeroplane! 

I believe in exposing children informally, regularly to fine arts each week in our Fabulous Fine Arts Fridays.  Following a Charlotte Mason approach, we studied and appreciated one South African artist for a month, focussing on a new art work each week. The aim is to appreciate the artist’s style, content, method, materials and message in their art.  In the first week, I introduced the artist, read their biography and we viewed one new art work.

I used larger images of the art work on my laptop, zoomed in to fill the screen, to appreciate the art. I encouraged detailed observations, informal discussions regarding the subject of the painting, the style and colours, and any message they personally experienced. Sometimes we looked at other works online, and maybe added further research. Then each child responded with their narrations. Some weeks we included supporting art activities to imitate the art work. Sometimes we copied the art work, or coloured in an outline drawing of the art or made clay or paper mache sculptures.  Most times, we simply looked and then discussed the art work. Don’t worry if you don’t have anything to “show” for your Fine Arts lessons.  It doesn’t have to be recorded or written or filed.  Just talk with your children and listen to their interpretations, encourage their creativity and personal connections.  Look for ways to for them to “make it their own”.

All this to say that perhaps your 5-year old may simply enjoy the exposure, whereas your older two children could gain a deeper art appreciation experience.  May I suggest, because art appreciation is so personal, choose the art that you enjoy and relate to from my South African Artist collection.  You definitely do not need to do them all!  

Scroll to the bottom of this post for your FREE SAMPLER of this download.

Please pop over to my Packages page to order your downloads.

Blessings, Nadene

• Subscribe Click to receive all my new posts packed with practical tips, projects, plans, pages & art ideas by email
• Facebook Follow Practical Pages on Facebook

Fun Activities For Kids At Home

Here are some creative and fun learning activities links from my blog for your children to enjoy at home as we move into unprecedented changes in our lives with self-isolation and lockdowns due to the global covid-19 outbreak.

May I offer a few practical suggestions with these at-home activities?

• Look for items that your children would enjoy.
• Plan for 1 activity per day.
• Keep things informal.  Don’t try to do school at home!
• Take your time.
• Don’t rush through a list.
• If something sparks joy and delight — stay there and look for other similar activities rather than moving on to the next thing on your list.
• Repeat.  Especially young children love to repeat an enjoyable activity.  Don’t be afraid to print things out and do it again if your child loved it.
• Photograph and video them doing their activities.
• Display their finished work each week on a door or shelf “gallery”.
• Share their activities with grandparents and social groups to stay connected.

So here we go ~

1. Paper dolls and paper men from different historical eras to colour in and cut out.  Use these as puppets for narrations.
2. Narrations are the child “telling back” what he heard in a read-aloud. Narrations are the cornerstone of a Charlotte Mason education.  Children must pay close attention while they listen to the story so that they can make it their own and express what they remember and understood as they narrate.   I have collected over 100 narration ideas for every learning style.  In this Ebook, you will find lists of suggested activities for audio, visual, kinesthetic and creative learners along with templates and printouts.  You can see examples of the templates and ideas in the original post.
3. Letterboxing – a great “treasure hunting” geography game to practice in your house and garden. Letterboxing is an intriguing mix of treasure hunting, art, navigation, and exploring skills.
4. Current Affairs is the study of social, political and important happenings in the world at the present time.  Use this Current Affairs download with calendar pages, maps, flags and symbols to chart the events around the world during the coronavirus crisis.
5. Nature Study and enjoy the great outdoors with fun nature activities in three Smash Nature Journals.  Go to my  Packages page to order your Smash books.  If you order all 3 you get the third book free!
   
6. 3D models such as the Little House in the Woods.
7. Art appreciation activities of famous artworks and famous artists~
   •  Famous Artists lapbook
   • Famous Impressionist Artists lapbook
   • Tracing Outlines of Famous Art Works
   • Van Gogh “Starry Night” ~ Art Appreciation
   • Van Gogh’s Sunflowers
   • 3D Model of Seurat’s “Bathers at Asnieres”
8. Creative projects ~
   • Morse code bracelets
   • Make a rag doll family
   • Make a Polly Pocket in a soap dish
   • Painted heart rocks
   • Corn starch clay ornaments
   • Toy car travel mat
   • Pretty beaded candle jars 
   • Marshmellow paste cake decorations
9. Bible activities ~
   • Colour in a young man in armour
   • A young woman in armour
   • Easter ~ here is an awesome “Easter pictures and hands-on activities“ download using all  5 senses.
   • Parables lapbook with almost every parable in complete NKJ scripture quotes in a variety of colourful square-fold minibooks with blank pages for the child’s own notes.
   • Book of James Lapbook
10. Sight Words are frequently used words that your child should easily recognize in his reading.  In my Sight Words Ebook, you will have all the word lists, words in sentences, games and activity templates.
11. Handwriting practice with laminated charts and games. I have created a 20-page E-book is packed with practical tips and it includes helpful activities and fun pre-writing games to build up your child’s gross motor strength, develop fine motor control and develop their spatial awareness, correct posture and pencil grip for maximum control and minimum stress while learning to write.   
12. Hands-on activities ~ Here is a list of some of the many hands-on activities and posts on my blog ~
    • Make memories with hands-on activities
    • Easter hands-on activities
    • End of year activities
    • How to fit in hands-on activities
    • Hands-on knots
    • Ancient Egypt Lapbook and hands-on activities
    • Vikings hands-on activities
    • Ancient China hands-on activities
    • Hands-on Sonlight
    • Having fun with maps
    • Action!
    • Tailor-made
    • Around the world mobile

I hope that these posts and links and downloads inspire you in your homeschooling!

Wishing you all health, happiness and precious family times.

Blessings, Nadene

• Subscribe Click to receive all my new posts packed with practical tips, projects, plans, pages & art ideas by email
• Facebook Follow Practical Pages on Facebook

Time for creative mom

In response to my post Sketching Again, a reader recently asked,

“How much time do we as moms need each day to be creative? “

I suppose it depends on your family life and demands on your time, and whether you enjoy creative activities.  Enjoyment is a powerful motivation.

If I can carve just 20 minutes of creative sketch time for myself, I feel so grateful and rewarded. This is not every day, and it is not always possible when life and stressful situations are more important, but it is something I find easy to pick up and do when there is a lull or gap in my days.  Right now, with just one teen to assist in her homeschooling, I have a lot more free time than I had while juggling three young kids all on different cores so I can find time to be creative!

We need to grow and be creative ourselves in order to give continually to others.

For some folk that “creative / me time” may be physical, such as going for a brisk walk or run, doing a quick workout, or taking a nice hot bath with soft music playing. Others need to be alone, maybe to read a book or listen to a podcast.   Some love to garden, sew, knit, quilt, or sketch.

When the children are young, then it is best to sketch or craft with them. Within a few weeks of doing sketches or nature journal prompts, the kids feel more confident and know what to do and can pretty much work without your help, giving you that time to do the activity along with them.

Doing art together with my children. You’ll see my art page at the bottom of the picture.

We enjoyed Fabulous Fine Arts Fridays, a whole day for our Music and Art Appreciation lessons and some poetry or Shakespeare.  Our Fridays were always so relaxing and enjoyable, so different from our normal school schedule, that we all looked forward to this time together.  It was also very informal.  We simply listened to a classical music piece while observing an artist’s work and often did some art ourselves.

Sketch Tuesdays always were a wonderful opportunity to draw and sketch something really simple.  Because we had a whole week to complete the sketch, there never was any pressure.  And despite there being no feedback or critique given, the children learnt so much about their art and skills simply by viewing the slideshow and experimenting with new and different art mediums.  We sometimes copied other famous artist’s style in some of our Sketch Tuesday sketches, discovering the artist’s true talent and ability.  Again, it is fairly simple to pull out some paper and sketch and paint right alongside your children.

Otherwise, simply do something creative and personally rewarding in the afternoons while the family are doing their own thing.  I often find a half hour after lunch before I need to take down washing or start preparing dinner.  Weekends are also a good time to sketch, paint, garden, sew or do some sort of creative hobby.

If you have lots of children, or little babies or busy toddlers, then you may be deep in the trenches, and creative time for yourself might be impossible for this season, but, remember, that this season will pass, and you will be able to have your body and space back!

Blessings to you as you carve out small Mother Culture moments for yourself each week.

In Grace, Nadene

• Subscribe Click to receive all my new posts packed with practical tips, projects, plans, pages & art ideas by email
• Facebook Follow Practical Pages on Facebook

 

Using a grid to draw

In our Art Appreciation lessons we love to copy great art works and images.  An easy way to accurately copy pictures is by using a grid.  Here are some of our Peerneef artworks we painted using a grid ~

Instead of drawing the grid from scratch each time, I created transparent grid lines on MSWord in several sizes which you can lay over any image.  Here’s your free download ~ Transparent grid

To create your own grid over a picture  do the following ~

1. Download and save the Transparent Grid to your computer.
2. Open a new Word document.
3. Insert the image you want to use for your art work.  You need to click”Wrap Text” on the top menu and select “In Front of Text” so that you can freely move and position your image.
4. Open the Transparent Grid doc and select and copy the grid size best suited for your image. (Use the very small blocks for very detailed pictures, or the large grid blocks for larger shaped images)
5. Paste the grid over your image and position as needed.
6. Save.
7. You can work directly from your computer screen onto your own art paper or print out your image with the grid.

Here’s an important CHEAT ~ You can create a pencil sketch of your image using the free photo editing package “Picasa“.

Open the image in Picasa, select the blue icon “Even more fun and useful image processing” button, click the “Pencil Sketch” option, and “Save as”.  Now insert this outline image in your grid for even easier copying!

Prepare your own art page and create a grid to match your printout, in the same ratio of blocks across in rows and down the side, but these blocks can be larger than your printout if you want to enlarge your image.  In other words, if your grid image has 4 blocks across and 5 blocks down, then your art page should also have 4 across and 5 down.  If the printout grid lines are 2 x 2 cm, you can create your art page grid lines 4 x 4 cm (or larger) so that your new image is larger and fills your art page.

Now you are ready to sketch the image on your grid printout or on your computer screen.

• Work block by block, copying the lines, angles and shapes in that block.
• Use where the shapes intersect the grid lines as your measure.
• Work with the large shapes first and then add the details.
• Once you have your outline, gently erase the grid lines and you are ready to paint!

But there is an easier way! Art Tutor has an excellent Grid Tool that does this all for you ~ http://www.griddrawingtool.com/   Simply follow the step-by-step tutor and download and save your grid image to your computer.

So now you can recreate any image or picture on your page using the grid lines as guides to make your own art!  Enjoy!

Blessings, Nadene

Veggie Sketches

My girls asked for an art lesson and so I opened a lesson I had bookmarked on observational sketching ~

We read “How to Create an excellent Observational Drawing: 11 Tips for High School Art Students“ on Student Art Guide. A really excellent article!

We looked at Sam Pickard’s art on Planet Sam incredible detailed sketches with colored blocks which she turns into amazing screen printed fabric designs. And, lastly, we  followed Jane LaFazio‘s step-by-step Tiny Tutorial – Sketch and Watercolor.

We each took our own fruit or vegetable and sketched and painted.

I sketched pears  (not a vegetable, but it appealed to me) ~

Lara sketched a green pepper and I love her colors and the swirly designs ~

And Kate sketched a gem squash  with lovely thick acrylic paints and added her quirky humor to her painting ~

A quick, fun lesson with very pleasing results!  Pop over to my Art Page for some more art plans, projects and ideas.

Blessings, Nadene

More Julia Anastasopoulos Art

We love Julia Anastasopoulos’ inspirational art!  In fact,  we  moved our first murals to fit on one wall in our passage to make space for more!

We spent several days during the past weeks, in our typical Charlotte Mason approach, studying Julia’s Anastasopoulos’ art on her website knolc, and we were all inspired to do a flurry of art activities ~

More massive murals ~
Kate’s created another expressive cityscape filled with fun and whimsy!

Looking through her project gallery on her website knolc, I was inspired by  artwork which was transferred onto windows.  She used the “historical, architectural influence of Louis Michel Thibault on the City of Cape Town to create a public artwork that would work effectively on glass” which was installed in Thibault Square MiCity Bus station.My new cityscape featured our South African Cape Dutch architecture.  I added people depicting early Cape Town life. I painted my mural using acrylic ink, but I realized then how difficult it is to convert this design into something truly artistic.  In the end, I felt comfortable with my mural as a historical picture, but realized that it was not true art …

I think that it is only when one does these types of art appreciation activities that one truly realizes the true brilliance of talented artists.

Lara’s whimsical created this amazing picture, typical of some of Julia’s illustrations. In fact, I am convinced that Lara could become a talented illustrator!  Kate also created a lovely Julia-inspired illustration!  I absolutely love all the tiny details and all those  teeny tiny lines she used to create the grass.  Kate has definitely captured the style and feel of Julia’s art.Julia’s Shadow Boxes were the inspiration for my own shadow box picture featuring my children enjoying their childhood freedom on our farm … a collage of their happy life outdoors.  How quickly these years flash past!The next time you need some art ideas, look at your favourite artist’s gallery and try your hand at some of their projects!  It is amazingly inspiring and can open up whole new ways of doing art!

Pop over to my Art page for more art appreciation ideas, art activities and  art projects.

If you would like my posts automatically delivered to your reader or inbox, please click the  RSS Feed button or subscribe button.

Blessings,

 

Street Art Appreciation Lesson

Using Charlotte Mason’s approach of art appreciation we studied street art, and focused on two famous British contemprorary street artists ~ 

Bansky and Stik

Bansky is a British graffiti artist,  a political activist, film director, and painter, and he likes to be anonymous.  His satirical street art depict a dark humour and his works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world. To avoid arrest, Banksy’s developed his stencil technique which enabled him to create large, detailed paintings in just a few moments.

Stik is also a London-based street artist who was homeless and lived on the streets of London for many years.  His works are recognizable for his cheerful humanoids which reflect universal themes such as jealousy, anger, love, friendship etc.  Stik’s stick figures,  despite their simplicity,  convey compassion and emotion.  He uses very simple stylistic color, painting his figures in white with black outlines on a flat, colored background. 

Now, why teach about street art, you may ask?  And what is the difference between graffiti and street art?   

College & Research Libraries News defines –

“The differences between graffiti and street art can be found in authorial intent, intended audience, and form. The most common form of graffiti is a tag or a graffiti artist’s signature. Tags are text-based and largely indecipherable by those outside the graffiti community. The intention behind a tag is the rebellious proliferation of the artist’s signature, akin to brand name advertising. Street art is a sub-genre of graffiti. While graffiti operates within a closed community, street art is an open invitation for anyone to interact, consider, and discuss. Furthermore, street art is drawn with a pictorial focus rather than textual, and it is rebellious but not purposefully destructive as there is intent to beautify the urban environment.” (Emphasis mine)

Should this art be banned?  Why are graffiti artists arrested?  Why are some street artists’ works protected while others are cleaned off walls?  We watched an excellent 4-part YouTube series – Graffiti – Wars: Banksy vs. Robbo  Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 which addressed some of these questions.

Our art activity was to use Stik or Banksy’s style and create a poster to protest or make a statement on a problem, a theme, an issue, a war, or social problems.

I went into a creative flow and quickly produced 3 large A3 posters.  I used brown paper to represent an urban feel of street art.  I photocopied my Banksy-styled images in black and white on some brown paper and then added Stik-inspired characters.  I enjoyed word-play to name my posters.The timing of my “Migrant Waves” painting was quite amazing because the same day that I painted the poster, world news featured distressing photos of a drowned Syrian boy found washed up on sea-shore.  This photo is now iconic with the Syrian refugee crisis that has flooded Europe for the past 2 years.  

Lara drew our family in Stik style –Lara then created another beautiful art work.  Although it is not the in the style of the contemporary artists we studied, she wanted to express her thoughts in a creative way. Kate created a dramatic Ebola  poster.  You will notice her graffiti splatters and lettering and Banksy’s rat symbol.

We thoroughly enjoyed our contemporary art lessons!  Give it a try with your middle school or high school children!

A few more links and references:

• i Support Street Art Banksy
• Banksy Graffiti Superhero: 45 Great Photos & Quotes
• 106 of the most beloved Street Art Photos – Year 2010
• Imitate Modern describe Stik’s art
• Quora defines graffiti vs street art

Pop over to my Art page for more art appreciation lessons and pages.

If you are not subscribed, please click the  RSS Feed button or subscribe button for email notifications, so that you can have posts automatically delivered to your reader or inbox.

Blessings,

Paul Klee Landscapes

In my previous post, I shared our Charlotte Mason approach of studying one great artist and his works for a month,  we have really enjoyed the colorful world of

Paul Klee!

This week we both tried a Paul Klee-inspired landscape.

Lara chose a watercolor landscape “Oriental Landscape“

and she created this amazing art work ~

She worked with pencil and watercolors, diluting and blending her colors beautifully.  I especially love the light lines over her moon!

I chose Klee’s iconic “Castle” landscape

and created my “Church in the City” painting ~

I outlined my landscape with oil pastels and painted the spaces in watercolors.  Adding little details, dots and lines was just so pleasant and relaxing, and I loved my end result!  It would make an incredible quilt pattern, don’t you think?

Pop over to my Art page for more art appreciation lessons and pages and free lesson download.

If you are not subscribed, please click the  RSS Feed button or subscribe button for email notifications, so that you can have posts automatically delivered to your reader or inbox.

Blessings,

Paul Klee Art Appreciation

Following our Charlotte Mason approach of studying one great artist and his works for a month,  we have discovered the colorful world of

Paul Klee!

Paul Klee was a Swiss-born abstract painter whose work noted for his colorful and  fantasy-style of art depicting a world of semi-abstract, dreamlike images. His style was always highly imaginative, often strange, and sometimes playful.  Klee himself defined his art as “taking a line for a walk”.

I prepared a Wall Chart page, a biography page and three art appreciation lessons, along with extra Paul Klee art examples.

Paul Klee wall chart page

Paul Klee Word Grid art lesson

Here are our Paul Klee “Word Art” art works ~

Miss. L 13’s Paul Klee-inspired word art

my Paul Klee-inspired word art

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Klee Landscape Grid lesson

Paul Klee Color Blocks art lesson

(Please note that I have updated the grid size since taking these images )

Here is your free download ~ Paul Klee bio & gallery & art lessons

Pop over to my Art page for more art appreciation lessons and pages.

If you are not subscribed, please click the  RSS Feed button or subscribe button for email notifications, so that you can have posts automatically delivered to your reader or inbox.

Blessings,