Charlotte Mason Art Study for Every Form

Teaching art appreciation can be daunting; especially if you have little to no experience. It can be a subject left neglected and untouched if you focus too long on other more academic subjects when trying to educate the Charlotte Mason way and spread a wide feast.

Yet, if our goal is to feed your children’s minds with the knowledge of beauty and truth, a Charlotte Mason Picture Study must be a regular part of our schedule. 

Just as important is Art Expression. Miss Mason gave her students many opportunities to reproduce what they observed and what they imagined through clay sculpting, drawing, painting, and other mediums.

Are these subjects still relevant today? I would argue they are even more important! What better weapon exists against the darkness than an appreciation for the beauty of creation and gratitude given to its Creator?

Why Teach Art Study?

Why should we incorporate an artist or picture study into our children's’ daily lives? As Charlotte suggests,

“We must realise that knowledge is to the mind as food is to the body; that the mind receives knowledge, not in order that it may know, but in order that it may grow, in breadth and depth, in sound judgment and magnanimity; but in order to grow it must know.”

In other words, a child’s knowledge of a painting and the secrets it reveals in their own mind will extract creativity, peacefulness, and an admiration for beauty. Think of it this way; when you learn to appreciate the beauty in an artist’s paintings, you will also observe the majestic qualities of our Father’s creations and be awed by His creativity. Observing a beautiful masterpiece will enhance their desire to see the beauty around them. And, therefore, this desire and enhanced observation will spill over into other subjects. 

Find out why art study benefits your child -- here are 6 reasons why Art Study matters!

How to Instill a Love for Studying Art

While some children will be quite curious and interested in the subject of art, others will not. How do you get a child interested in art? Simply observe what he or she likes and find an artist whose drawings or paintings are similar in style/subject matter. Do not feel boxed in to what is recommended in particular curricula if your child is struggling- respect them as a person and find art that piques their interest and delight!

Keep Parent Participation to a Minimum

Parents must remember when introducing an art study, there must be more independence with the child’s connection to his study of an artist’s painting. Remember that every child is different, and they may be drawn to a particular artist’s style vs another. If this instruction to art study is implemented well and consistently, you will help develop a love of art that will continue to adulthood.

Supplies for Charlotte Mason Picture Study

Parents and teachers must simply supply the material that will initiate a desire for art using some of all of the following supplies:

• Sketching Journal

• Sketching Pen or pencil

• Brushes (ie water brushes)

• quality art prints

Now, let’s break it down into ages to help develop Charlotte Mason art curriculum so we have a better understanding of the interest levels as our children mature. 

Elementary Age Charlotte Mason Art Study

At the young age of 6, a child’s art training can begin. These lessons should be weekly. A child should have the ability to express himself using paper and a pencil in everything he or she visualizes and imagines. Please keep in mind that your child’s experience in art is for themselves, not to become experts on the artist or a particular piece of art.

Charlotte Mason recommends learning about 3 artists each year, 1 per term. Ambleside Online has a wonderful artist study schedule you can use to begin teaching the various artists.

Middle School Age Charlotte Mason Art Study

When students reach middle school age, they are ready to learn more detail in the study of artwork.  Even if you are just starting now, it’s not too late to begin!  

Please keep in mind that your child’s experience in art is for observation, not to become an expert on the artist or a particular piece of art. For older students, however, especially for students who are particularly interested in art, you might consider a more structured approach.

At the middle school age, you can integrate a picture study with their history lessons. Get a little ahead of their history subject and determine what artist studies would best suit the time period. 

Once you determine the best artist(s), do a search on paintings and a video on their type of artistic style via YouTube. Additionally, you can find brush drawing resources to help you determine what style your child can learn.  

Here is a list of artistic brush styles to consider:

1. Oil Painting

2. Watercolor painting

3. Pastel painting

4. Acrylic painting

5. Digital painting

6. Tempera paintings

7. Sand Painting

High School Age Charlotte Mason Art Study

When a child reaches high school age, they are ready to get into more detail and learn about elements such as composition.

What is Composition?

Composition is a term used to describe how objects are arranged visually in a painting or artwork. For example, you can student the elements of art and design including color, shape, texture, form, and even space. 

All 5 of these elements listed can be expanded further during each term, let’s say two a term. Find a good online resource or book that reveals these fine works of art. Some great questions to ask are: 

• What do you think is the most important element of the painting? 

• How does the artist gently lead us visually to that important spot?

• Can you see where the light is reflected in the picture?

• What type of mood is the artist showing?

• Show an area that seems difficult to draw (then find an online resource to draw that particular way.)⠀⠀⠀

Once the students have studied the picture, they can make a rough sketch of the picture’s main lines. They will most likely appreciate the artist’s time and detail in composing the intricate drawing. 

Here are some guidelines on how you can review the main lines of a picture:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

• Look for the main lines of the picture and find straight, geometric, or organic,

• Find lines that move horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. 

• Try squinting to remove the detail to focus on the main lines. 

• Now that you’ve discovered them, grab some chalk, colored pencils, or even a drawing app to practice drawing the lines.

With these simple guidelines and the internet and/or library, any parent can easily teach the study of art in a Charlotte Mason style to any student. With just a few lessons and a little determination, both parents and students can begin to fill the halls of their minds with incredible works of art and a new appreciation for beauty.