Draw Squad

A common complaint amongst homeschoolers is that they cannot teach art.  They either do not have the knowledge, desire, know-how or curriculum that would help them accomplish this goal.  I consider myself an "amateur artist" and yet have been a poor teacher of art.  Knowing how to draw and knowing how to teach drawing are two entirely different things. 

There are many good curriculums available that teach art history, drawing, and every other aspect of art.  Draw Squad by Mark Kistler is a how-to-draw book.  He has hosted the TV series, "The  Secret City," "Mark Kistler's Draw Squad," and "Imagination Station."  I even remember getting glimpses of one of his TV shows when I was a child and loving what I saw.  He really makes drawing fun.

Draw Squad is one of the easiest, step-by-step art books I have seen for all the parents who haven't a clue how to teach drawing.  That would include me!  In my opinion it could be used for gifted kindergarteners up to adult, if they are willing to handle a little zany humor.  He uses cartooning as the tool to teach the basics of drawing, which can then be applied to any form of drawing.

Let me walk you through the book a little, and the format of his lessons.  He begins Chapter 1 with his philosophy of teaching drawing and why he feels most anyone can draw.  He teaches ten key words of drawing.  At the end of the book he has special chapters for classrooms, teachers, and highschoolers which we can all skim good information and ideas from for our homeschool.  He also talks about drawing self-esteem and goals.

There are 30 lessons, each of which start with a warm-up drawing exercise and a key word that the lesson will be teaching.  He then has a few art exercises, each of which are shown step-by-step, line by line.  They are simple and straight forward.  he also shows student gallery, challenges and motivators to get kids even more excited about drawing.  The lessons are non-teacher intensive.  It might take five minutes a day to direct your child in what he should do, and then give him 20 minutes to practice.

I love this program.  Some of my children were too immature when I tried to start them on it, so I stopped until they were older and more physically mature.  Drawing does require some physical dexterity!  When they were not interested, I went slower, and walked them through it step by step, drawing by drawing.  Sometimes we only did one or two drawings a week.  We kept the lessons very short until their confidence and interest increased.  The older ones I have pushed to do up to a lesson a day.  It all depends on the child's abilities and interests. 

We have yet to complete the whole book, yet they have learned so much about drawing.  Their confidence builds as they add yet another skill to their repertoire.  They will not be encumbered with the fear of drawing that plagues so many adults.

Draw Squad is an inexpensive way to conquor the skill of drawing that fits in with many homeschools.  Mark Kistler even has online courses that follow the book.  He has authored nine books with a new book out just recently.  You can check out his website at http://www.draw3d.com/ .