ArtRishi

General Directions and Information

Each ArtRishi project includes:
- the basic line drawing
- a numbered, sequential, drawing "art map"
- a colored example of the finished project
- additional resource ideas incuding recommendations for books and posters that
can be purchased through ArtRishi.

The directions and tips below can be a valuable addition to your teaching tools. Whether you are instructing a large classroom or creating art with your child.

Practice drawing the project by using the numbered Art Map before you teach the project. By practicing, you will become familiar with the project and comfortable in teaching the lesson. The numbered Art Map is a general guide. Practice using our sequential steps and discover your own steps and shortcuts along the way.

Enlarge the line drawings.
Each ArtRishi project downloads to fit paper that is 8.5" x 11".
You will need to enlarge the basic line drawing to different sizes:
- Enlarge to 18"x24" on newsprint or large drawing paper - to facilitate easy classroom viewing.
- Enlarge the project to a paper size that the students will be using. (9"x12" or 11"x15", or whatever size you want).

Create an instructional display. Use an empty wall or very large bulletin board or dry erase board to display your project. When teaching the lesson, place your 18"x24" line drawing next to a blank 18"x24" paper (side by side). Draw step by step on the blank paper. Also display the student-size line drawing, the color example, and any other graphic or 3-dimensional resources that support your lesson.

Demonstrate drawing using smooth, confident, bold lines (not sketchy back-and-forth lines). Stand to the side of your demo paper so you do not block the view with your body. Take your time and abbreviate the lines into short, segmented instructions so students can successfully draw and not be overwhelmed by too many lines at once. Remind students that you are drawing much larger than they are and point to the smaller line drawing that is on the "student-size" paper so they can see the size they will draw.

Encourage students to stay with you as you draw and not to get ahead of you.

Describe what you are drawing as you draw. What kind of lines are you creating (straight, curved, bent, round, etc.)? Are you drawing up, down, away from the middle of the paper, etc.? Identify the parts of the subject that you are drawing while you draw them (little finger, side of the tea cup, top of the doorway, etc.).

Be the center of attention. Keep your students interested! Balance your demonstration: if you go too slow, students will be bored, so pick up the pace. If instruction is too fast, and you're giving out too much information, students will be frustrated and feel they cannot keep up.

Encourage creativity. Be ready to demonstrate the details of a subject (be it beak, hands, leg, tail, roof top, window, etc.) Anticipate that some students will want to draw the subject from a different point of view. Be ready to demonstrate different possibilities. That's what make a great art teacher! Discuss foreground and background ideas. Discuss color choice. Provide illustrations, photos, calendar photos, internet resources, 3-dimensional objects, etc. to inspire design ideas. Provide resources for all aspects of the project - main subject, backgound ideas. Student results are more detailed and creative when there are a wealth of resources.

Demonstrate art media. Show students how to use the materials. Students really benefit from step-by-step instruction. Even a 4 year old can be taught how to see shadows and highlights.
Step by Step ideas for demonstrating the use of art media:
- Teach how to solidly color in a shape. For example; isolate a shape, like the paws of a cat, then fill in with color so no white paper is showing.
- Demonstrate detailed design work while your students follow along.
Examples:
- - - patterns in a costume (flowers, stripes, etc)
- - - designs on a pot (geometrical pattern, shape, texture, etc)
- - - details on a castle (bricks, shadows, etc)

Promote artistic risk-taking. Create a learning environment where children feel there is are many ways to "do art". Every avenue is worth exploring. Encourage experimentation! There are no mistakes in art - only opportunities!