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| Pastels and pencils |
C's love of art is relatively recent - spurred on by taking some Warhammer painting lessons, and the more serious-minded approach to art, which suits him very much, at his new secondary school. His favourite thing to use are Caran D'Ache Aquarelle pencils. At the moment he mainly draws cartoons - usually inspired by Asterix or Calvin and Hobbes.
O's love of art has always been with her, and is much more eclectic. She constantly draws, paints, cuts and sticks - anything she can think of. She will use pastels, paints, pens, pencils, glue, ink...whatever she can get her hands on. Anything goes with her. After a summer of making magazines, at the moment she is making posters and experimenting with some lovely watercolour paints she got for Christmas.
We do have a number of books already, which are much used and loved. For years the Usborne Art Ideas range has kept O busy with ideas, but they are starting to seem a little young; she doesn't want to draw princesses or teddy bears any more. Some of the Usborne range is still going strong though. These 50 art ideas cards are excellent - the projects are all straightforward and well explained. O can do them by herself (very important for her), and the pictures are generally things she wants to draw; animal pictures feature heavily.
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| Usborne art cards - we love these |
However, there isn't anything in the Usborne range for teenagers. I wish there was - the quality of their books is wonderful, and it feels as though my children have grown up with them.
Other books that still inspire and are used regularly are the Ed Emberley books, an excellent bubble writing book, and a few Klutz art books.
A recent, and absolutely excellent, addition to our shelves is the Kids Crafternoon - Papercraft book. O received it for Christmas, and got stuck in right away. She particularly loves that there is an envelope of full sized templates inside the front cover (something that I always love with sewing books too).
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| Kids Crafternoon - a wonderful book for older children |
There are some good Manga books out there to inspire older children. A friend recommended this one, which her 10 year old daughter loves and has been making fantastic pictures with. This one looks very good too. I think I am going to get one and see which of my children (or both, maybe?) it appeals to. Do you have any manga books that you would recommend?
What other art books do your older children love? Are there any drawing or painting books that keep teenagers inspired? I am after ideas, so all recommendations are very welcome indeed!
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| O's desk - with pens and a mannequin in a brushed cotton outfit |
