CONCEPT
What makes a superlative child's drawing?
The first answer: If your child did the drawing, it is
automatically great. The second answer: if the drawing
includes the illusion of depth, it is masterful. Depth can
include atmosphere, distance and the illusion of space or
light. These are all qualities of a good drawing. Depth adds
richness and increases the caliber of the artwork.
The first answer is really the most important one. But for
any of us who have a quest for developing artistic talent or
understanding the components of a successful artwork, we must
conclude that depth is one of the key words on the subject.
Unlocking the talent requires some knowledge of the subject.
Good art work takes us inside on a mental journey of form
(objects or subject matter) and space (measurements,
distance, time, atmosphere). Depth is the key that unlocks
the door to this visual journey.
How do we add depth to a work of art? The obvious way is to
show distance: near, middle and far. Light and dark suggest
distance. Light or bright for up close and dark or blurry for
far. Shading and shadows give depth because they add
dimension and form to an object. Atmosphere is an aspect of
space, which also suggests depth. Details indicate depth
because the closer the object to the viewer, the more the
details show up.
Distance is a cultural concept. Western art follows
perspective going back into space with receding objects.
Oriental culture places what is furthest away at the top of
the paper with all objects being equal in size. Depth adds
richness and increases the caliber of the artwork because it
creates an illusion of reality. A painting with depth pulls
us inside momentarily.
CHILDREN'S ART
Children do not start out drawing dimensionally. Their
drawing careers begin on the flat side, however endearing
they may be. A young child will simply show the front of a
house straight on in the symbolic version with a triangular
roof and usually a door and two windows. Everything is flat.
Butterflies flying overhead by girls or airplanes that boys
draw don't have much depth. Perhaps most drawings (there are
exceptions) by young children reflect their own lack of
internal or external conceptual depth. As they grow older,
depth and refinement are among the signs of maturity.
Around the age of seven, children draw a house with three
sides and begin to explore depth and dimension. Children with
true artistic talent automatically include depth and movement
in their drawings. Given time to draw or paint or create,
these talents come forth. Besides the illusion of space,
distance, light, dark, time and action; with space, mass and
dimension, depth is an indication of thoughts and
observations. Visual perception of the inner and outer world
of the child is also reflected in the degree of depth
imparted in the child's artwork.
ISOLATE THE SUBJECT FROM THE BACKGROUND
Every drawing has background and foreground. The foreground
is the object or scene or a series of lines. The background
is what is behind the foreground. Sounds elementary? Many
people assume the white paper is background and this is
sufficient. Look at this this way. The foreground and the
background are two parts of a puzzle that must fit
esthetically together. Sounds simple! You impart this
knowledge to young children when you want to enrich their
visual perception and help them get more satisfaction and
`depth' from their artwork.
Here is an easy way to do this. From an early age, children
can include depth in their artwork by isolating the subject
from the background on two separate sheets of paper, cutting
out the object and then combining them.
I discovered a simple technique while working in a special
education drawing class. I wanted to break foreground and
background up into easy steps to recognize spaces for the
children. It is a technique that can be successful with all
children and adults because once the parts of a picture are
very clear, there is less inhibition.
THE PROCESS
The method is to draw and color the background on one piece
of paper and the subject of the drawing on a second sheet of
paper. Cut out the main picture and glue it onto the
background. By drawing and coloring the background paper
first and giving it all the attention of a finished artwork,
the background will truly be complete and interesting.
Usually, I show the children how to divide up the background
paper by sectioning it off into squares or diamonds for a
pattern such as a floor, tablecloth etc. or different colored
sections representing: land (brown), water (light blue), sky
(light blue) etc. At the very least, have the child color the
paper in solidly. But this is harder on the hand and on the
concentration than dividing the paper into different smaller
areas. Doing the background first can take time and be an
afternoon's activity in itself. The next day, do the subject
of the picture on the second piece of paper. Draw the
object/subject first lightly in pencil and add in the
details. Go over with a harder pencil line or a marker. Color
in. Cut out and glue in position on the background. Your
child will have a picture with depth because s/he gave the
background time and attention. The picture will look complete
and thought out. Your child will have spent a satisfying
afternoon creating a complete picture with depth built into
it.
PROJECT
The following is a Purim drawing. It is a Megilas Esther on a
patterned background.
Materials:
Two pieces 4A copy machine paper or drawing paper
Pencil, colored markers or oil pastels (`panda' in Israel)
Scissors and glue
Method:
First Paper
Draw diagonal lines starting at the upper left corner of the
paper, about two inches apart, with a ruler.
Draw diagonal lines starting at the upper right corner of the
paper, about two inches apart, with a ruler.
You will have rows of diamonds. Color first row of diamonds
one color, alternating second row with a second color and
repeat until page is completed. Some children will want to
use a variety of colors.
Second Paper
Draw Megilas Esther at least one half or one third the size
of the paper.
Draw a decorative motif on the wooden case such as diamond
shape, flowers or geometric shapes, or an illustration
showing the palace walls with a gate at the entrance, the
king's throne etc. Write the beginning words of the Megila on
the scroll.
Color with markers or oil pastels.
Cut out and glue on to the diamond paper.
Hang up for Purim.
Chag Somayach!
Devora Piha teaches wonderful afternoon chugim for young
children and offers occasional short term groups for mothers,
art/ and kindergarten teachers in Ramat Beit Shemesh. Tel. 02-
992-0501.
