Workspace, Equipment & Materials
To Adults, Parents and Teachers:
Most children are very happy to sprawl on the floor when they watch a video or doodle at drawing and coloring. The big question is, how committed are you to your child/students' success?
Workspace & Equipment
If you want brillant results, you must be willing to provide a comfortable viewing/work space and to minimise distractions.
Ideally, sit with your child/students, involve yourself along with them in the drawing process, and insist on quietness while children are watching, listening and drawing.
I suggest that each person sits on an appropriate height upright chair at a suitable, adequately lit desk or table. A firm, smooth drawing surface is essential.
A sloping drawing board is even better than a flat surface.
A shaded desk lamp with a movable arm is another great asset.
Display Have a large pin board on a wall where recent art can be displayed. Art mounted on a dark card surround looks great!
Storage
When art is no longer on display, ensure that it is signed and dated and put in a large flat folder (I wish I still had the art that I did when I was a boy).
Note: Displaying and storing children's art never fails to impart a sense of pride in their work and provides a visual measure of how well they've progressed.
Materials
Pencils: 2B pencil and a fat, 6B sketching pencil are fine. Sharpen pencils often.
Paper: White A4 photocopy paper is inexpensive and readily available.
Color: soft lead, color pencils are great. Watercolour pencils are even better (apply water with a large brush). Crayons are okay provided they produce good, rich colors. Narrow felt tip colored pens are not recommended. They produce scratchy areas with uneven tonal density.
Pens: A black felt tip or waterproof marker pen works well. Best of all, steel nib drawing pens come in various line widths and can produce beautiful linework.
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