Drawing With Children: A Creative Method for Adult Beginners, Too

Rating:
Summary: Unleash the Artist In You
Review: I don't understand why some reviewers felt that this does not teach you how to draw. If you're looking for a book with a bunch of patterns to follow to draw specific subjects, then this book isn't for you. It is NOT a book to give to your child and say "Here's an art book for you." It is written for adults who will be working with children...or who want to learn how to draw themselves.

What this book teaches is a universal *method* which you can apply to *anything* you try to draw - once you learn the method and principles, you can draw anything you set your mind to!

I got this book because I homeschool, and my daughter was showing signs of artistic ability at an early age - and I barely passed art class in school. I was lucky to get Cs or Bs for grades; I had no "natural" talent (and all my art teachers only seemed to have time for the talented students - the bright stars of the class, and the rest of us just floundered) I too grew up thinking that it was a natural talent, not a developed skill. I got this book because I didn't want my daughter's art progress to be hindered by my "lack of talent."

This book lit a fire within me and I thought - can I really draw too? I remember wishing I could draw - I had great things visualized in my mind but could never get them on paper - my drawings were worse than my three year old's!

Well, this book did NOT disappoint. I have seen amazing progress in my work and believe in myself now. I have made a beatiful pencil sketch of my husband and also one of Pierce Brosnan - as well as some landscapes and still life compositions. This book only delves into the basics - I got insights on shading from some artist friends of mine...I think the more complex concepts are covered in the Drawing with Teens book by the same author.

In conclusion - if you're looking for a self-guided book to hand to your child - this is not it. If you are looking for a catalogue of drawings to mimic, this is not it.

If you secretly wished you could draw, but think you can't, or if you want to learn how to help your child draw - this is the book for you. I have had this book for three years love it. I am considering replacing it because I've used it so much it's falling apart!

Rating:
Summary: It worked for my children
Review: I've read the book, and both of my children have been taught in their schools by teachers using the Monart method. I am very pleased with the results. I first heard of this book from my mother, she was a first grade teacher without an extensive art background, and used it to improve her art instruction in the classroom.

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Summary: Amazing results...year after year.
Review: Over the past several years, I have seen the drawings of art students at the school where my daughter attends. I am continually amazed by the quality of the students' work as it is displayed at various times throughout the year. I have spoken with the teacher and found that she has been using the books, "Drawing with Children" and "Drawing with Children and Teens" for several years.

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Summary: A great book BUT YOUR CHILD MAY NOT BE READY FOR THIS!
Review: The book is great; HOWEVER, my intelligent six year old was not mature enough for the lessons in this book. I meticulously read the directions (and followed same), but my daughter (who loves to create and draw) did not like the lessons because she has yet to perfect her fine motor skills (she likes to create stories but does not like the physical act of writing). I would suggest using this book for an older child (eight years old?), especially if your child does not have his/her fine motor skills fully tuned or does not like to sit still for very long. I admit that I was a little disappointed when the child illustrator on the front cover drew such a wonderful picture (age 5), but every child is different. Incidentally, my art skills (formerly limited to simplistic ball and stick drawings) have improved quite a bit since using the book!

Rating:
Summary: A great book BUT YOUR CHILD MAY NOT BE READY FOR THIS!
Review: The book is great; HOWEVER, my intelligent six year old was not mature enough for the lessons in this book. I meticulously read the directions (and followed same), but my daughter (who loves to create and draw) did not like the lessons because she has yet to perfect her fine motor skills (she likes to create stories but does not like the physical act of writing). I would suggest using this book for an older child (eight years old?), especially if your child does not have his/her fine motor skills fully tuned or does not like to sit still for very long. I admit that I was a little disappointed when the child illustrator on the front cover drew such a wonderful picture (age 5), but every child is different. Incidentally, my art skills (formerly limited to simplistic ball and stick drawings) have improved quite a bit since using the book!

Rating:
Summary: Don't be fooled by the title
Review: The title sounded like what I was looking for, a book to help my grandson to draw. This book don't even begin to show how to draw. It contain alot of filler pictures. It is the first time I regret buying a book from Amazon. Thank heaven for their generous return policy.

Rating:
Summary: Love it! Love it! Love it!
Review: This book is more about teaching art than teaching kids how to draw. More theory than fun. I rate the book 3 stars rather than higher because there are very few simple to use drawing techniques, the kind of techniques found in the "50 Nifty" and the "How to Draw" series of drawing books featuring simple characters, trucks, airplanes, animals, and monsters that grab kid's imaginations. "Drawing with Children" is more a text for art teachers than for use by classroom teachers, Scout leaders, and parents trying to help kids ages 6 to 11 learn how to draw for fun. I'll be ready for this book in about three years, but I can't start kids at this level.

Rating:
Summary: The title and canned reviews can fool you.
Review: This book is more about teaching art than teaching kids how to draw. More theory than fun. I rate the book 3 stars rather than higher because there are very few simple to use drawing techniques, the kind of techniques found in the "50 Nifty" and the "How to Draw" series of drawing books featuring simple characters, trucks, airplanes, animals, and monsters that grab kid's imaginations. "Drawing with Children" is more a text for art teachers than for use by classroom teachers, Scout leaders, and parents trying to help kids ages 6 to 11 learn how to draw for fun. I'll be ready for this book in about three years, but I can't start kids at this level.

Rating:
Summary: A FIRST STEP
Review: This book is wonderful - I was a person who said "I can't draw", but once I sat down with this book and went through the lessons it was so easy. Now I can say "I can draw this". I have a new way of looking at things, my mind keeps working all the time thinking of how I could draw this. If you don't know how to draw this is the perfect book for you.

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Summary: Anyone can benefit from this book
Review: This book lays out the basics for the beginner artist; child or parent or teacher.It is easy and pleasant to read. One can work through it easily at one's kitchen table. (You have to be willing to turn off the phone!). The method is extremely simple but brilliant. Everyone can experience success by following these simple guidelines. The key is the same as the key to any skill: practise!How sad that many of us have forgotten that simple truth in education.