This whole month, we will be focusing on art appreciation, understanding the techniques of famous artists & then recreate it in a simple way. But how do I simplify it so that it interests a 5 year old.. and which work do I start off with? We have a lot of art prints hung throughout our office.. and in the meeting rooms my eyes are always drawn to this particular painting.. Wassily Kandinsky‘s Farbstudie Quadrate or Squares with circles.I knew this would be a hit with Lil P because she loves structure and she loves colors..
Kandinsky’s water color circles
We started off by getting comfortable at the dining table.. Lil P’s friend S also joined us at the table for this art class. She is nearly 5.
We saw a couple of Kandinsky’s paintings.. and studied the technique for a while.. I asked Lil P what she noticed common in the few that I had shown her.. and she said I see circles.. and lines.. which was a good start in itself.
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I told her it was abstract art and that Kandinsky was a Russian painter who had pioneered it..
So the next question is what is abstract art? So I showed them a photograph of a flower that we had taken … That is a realistic art form.. where you can see that rose is not real.. but you can make out clearly that it is a rose.
Then I showed them this and Lil p said it was a city picture with the sun and the planets.. I asked S what she though.. and she said it looked like toys on the floor.. with books and ribbons.. and we all laughed.. so this is abstract art where the original picture that the artist had in mind is not clear.
we then moved on to actually painting .. we took A4 sheets.. and drew 12 squares approx 3 inches wide. A3 is more suited but younger kids will tire soon and so start off with smaller sizes. I told them that they could alternate between cool colors and warm colors.. and fill up each square.
You can try this at home using pastels, Color pencils or tempera colors. Or you can go completely abstract and make one like this by pasting..
Hey Lil P is Lil Ingenious sure she will rock with her creativity in coming years gr8 art!!!!!
This is simply stunning! Art appreciation by a 5 YO!!! I’m sure even Architecture students are not taught to do so…
Have always loved Kandinsky’s work…Now loving it even better!
Great job Shruti!
What a great way to introduce kids to artworks! I found you through your interview over at Adithis Amma sews! You have a fabulous blog and I’m looking forward to coming back again and reading more!!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
@kala: 🙂 Not sure about that, she is very methodical.. But i’m glad that she is developing a love of colors.That in itself is a big deal.
@Kannamma : The feel of squishy paint between fingers is addictive.. The kids loved it.
@Jill – welcome here 🙂 I hope to keep seeing you here from time to time..
Wow! MM…I mean Lil’P has clearly inherited your sense of art…superb..and I loved the way you explained the whole concept of abstract art..even I understood only after reading..thank you..next time someone asks me about abstract art, I can show off 🙂 hugs to Lil’P
@r’s mom- that was an oversimplified way of explaining it. I will forward a few links if you are interested.
love this dear..my daughter will enjoy this painting
@shama 🙂 ur pic was the inspiration..
Beautiful job! We did our own Kandinsky’s Circles a month-ish ago and it was such a fun project!
Stopping by from Kids Co-Op!
Kristina @School Time Snippets
I love the idea of alternating between cool and warm colours. Thanks for linking up to the Kids Co-op!
Hi! Just letting you know that you are in my weekly showcase! Come on over and pick up your “Featured at Triple T Mum” badge. We go live with the showcase on 29 March, 9am (Pacific time).
@kristina – Thanks for dropping by 🙂 kandinsky’s paintings are sucha fun thing to imitate..
@Amie 🙂 thank you.
@Amie – Thank youuuuuu 🙂 will put up the badge soon.
This was definitely one of my favorites. Thanks for taking the time to share it with all of us:
http://letslassothemoon.com/2012/03/29/weekly-kids-co-op/