Sketchbook/Art Journal
Make a blank sketch pad, book or art journal available to you child/student. Allow them to fill it with drawings, words or collage in pictures they find inspirational.
Providing a child/student with a sketchbook, and pencil; opens up a new world for them. With a sketchbook, a child can observe and record what they find interesting. They may practice skills such as using shading to add dimensions to their shapes/drawings, explore the concept of proportions, or just being creative.
Many of the skills students practice in sketchbooks are useful in other field of study. E.g.: observation is useful in science, mathematics, and creative writing.
Making a sketchbook:
You may find reference articles online or in the library for the creation of handmade books. Or you might just let students use drawing paper with a hole punched in a corner and held together with a ring.
Using a sketchbook as a teaching tool:
Linked to each grade are some suggested sketchbook activities and the Visual arts standards that they may fulfill.
As a complimentary exercise, a stack of magazines may be provided for children. Ask them to find pictures to paste (collage) in their sketchbook which they may use for inspiration for a drawing.
You will be amazed at the creativity and variety of art in your children’s sketchbook, and this is great, as art should allow children the opportunity to create.
Supplies: Sketchbook, pencil, colored pencils, glue stick, magazines.
Complimentary supplies: watercolor set, markers.
How sketchbooks are used:
Children may use sketchbooks for reference with a larger art project such as many producing artists do.
Scientist such as geologist, paleontologist, and archeologists use sketchbook/field notes to record finds and to help they define or prove a hypothesis.
Think about how Leonard da Vinci used his intriguing sketchbooks.
Online reference to sketchbooks:
Wikipedia, under sketchbook has links to historical sketchbooks of note and more contemporary digital sketchbooks.
Artist’s Sketchbooks Online (Google search)