DRAWING CLUB
7-9/10-12 yrs.
 

 

​

MS. ROSE'S 4 (SUPER DUPER IMPORTANT) GOLDEN DRAWING CLUB RULES

 

  We all deserve a peaceful and encouraging creative space.  Here's how we'll achieve just that.

​

RESPECT OTHERS & OUR CREATIVE SPACE. This is a given for all art classes.  Kindness and politeness are key to everyone happily sharing a creative space.  Students are also expected to use materials appropriately and to help clean up at the end of class. 

 

BE KIND TO YOURSELF. Drawing can be an incredibly peaceful, rewarding, and skill-building practice.  But if it’s not approached with a positive and open mindset, it can feel rather stressful and discouraging.  Building drawing skill takes time, practice, perseverance, patience, and a whole lot of self-love! 

 

When students are feeling frustrated, Ms. Rose will inevitably hear them say the four most dreaded and disheartening words an artist can ever utter... “I'M A TERRIBLE ARTIST."  Sometimes this happens when our creative vision doesn’t match our ability (yet), when we’re having a creative block (it happens to everyone), or when we’re simply tired or distracted.  It’s important for students to realize that sometimes we experience super easy, inspired drawing moments and other times we don’t.  Sometimes we feel super proud of our drawings and other times we don’t.  Challenging drawing moments do not mean we're terrible artists!  They mean we are learning and growing as artists (and that we might need to take a break!).

 

Most often though, frustration and negative self-perception develop when we start believing the stereotypical (and oh-so damaging) idea that drawings are supposed to look a certain way.  This often pertains to wanting to achieve a realistic style, and the belief that unrealistic or inaccurate drawings equal bad ones. This particular mentality is the killer of creativity and artistic confidence and often the reason why people stop drawing or taking creative risks. I work hard to instil in students, both an understanding that skill takes practice and that realism is just one of many styles of drawing!  There are so many diverse, beautiful, interesting, and unique art styles out there and they ALL deserve appreciation and recognition (including our own one-of-a-kind style).

 

When students are feeling frustrated, I remind them that words have power and encourage them to intentionally reframe their mindset  by using positive self-talk.  This is also for the benefit of cultivating a spirit of positivity for the whole group, as it can feel very discouraging for everyone when someone is actively putting themselves down.  Instead of saying “I’m a terrible artist,” students are asked to say something like…

 

“Ms. Rose, I’m feeling frustrated, can you please help me figure this out.”
Asking for guidance or a fresh perspective.

 

“I need a break.”
In class, this might look like taking some deep breaths and closing one’s eyes, doodling, walking around and admiring others’ art, or colouring in a colouring book.  At home, this might mean walking away from the drawing and doing something completely different for as long as needed.
 

“What do I not like about this drawing?”
Asking oneself what we’re frustrated about so we can do some proactive problem-solving.

 

SLOW DOWN. It's not a race, y'all!  Drawings take time (like, lots of time!). Ms. Rose will never rush students to finish a drawing in class, so please anticipate that your child will very likely leave each class with an unfinished drawing.  If your child feels inspired to continue working on their drawing at home, fantastic!  Afterall, personal practice is one of the most effective, impactful, and enjoyable ways to grow as an artist. If their drawing remains untouched forevermore (or tossed in the recycle bin) that’s ok too!  Drawing is meant to be fun and enjoyable, and while perseverance is important… so is knowing when you’re done with a particular piece.  Some drawings just aren’t meant to be finished.  No shame in that.

 

Class time will NOT be used for producing finished drawings.  Class time will be used for exploring materials and concepts, asking questions, developing an open and curious mind by observing and imitating how other artists draw, exploring one’s own unique perspective and imagination... and of course, drawing with wild, joyful abandon with nary a worry as to how the finished drawing will turn out.

 

DRAW QUIETLY.  Drawing requires immense focus because it is a practice rooted in introspection, dexterity, and observation.  As such, students can expect to take part in some quiet drawing time each class. This will typically take place once we’ve finished our warm-up, instruction has been given for the main drawing activity, and it’s time for some independent drawing. 

 

Despite what some students might initially think, this is not done to be mean!  Honest!  Promise!  Pinkie swear!

 

Drawing quietly is a gift we give ourselves and everyone else in the group. Afterall, we all deserve to enjoy some peaceful, get-lost-in-the-moment time to relax, get in touch with our thoughts, and work on our drawing ability. Students are still welcome to request one-on-one guidance during quiet time by raising their hand and asking me their drawing-related questions in a lowered voice.

 

If a student is being repeatedly and intentionally disruptive during quiet time, I may ask them to sit by themselves at another table so they (and others) can more easily focus. If that doesn’t work, I will let them know that I will be speaking with you privately to discuss if Drawing Club is a good fit at this time (I have other more lively art classes available for high-spirited kiddos! 😉). While drawing quietly can take some time to get used to (aka lots of gentle reminders from Ms. Rose) students usually pick up on it pretty quickly and really grow to appreciate and value this peaceful time.

 

And that’s my biggest hope! That your young artist looks forward to Drawing Club each week because it brings them a sense of peace, joy, confidence, and FUN!  Becoming life-long drawers would be pretty cool too...