How to Teach Kids to Draw

Coloring pencils

Artistic talent and interests are important to nurture in kids while they are younger, because it is easier to train them how to draw. Books may be great resources for kids, but they learn best when something is demonstrated to them and when they actively engage in the activity.

Things You'll Need

• Samples of finished artwork
• Drawing paper
• Pencils
• Colored pencils
• Eraser
• Easel
• Ruler
• Pastels and crayons

Instructions

1. Stimulate children's imaginations by warming up their minds with exercises. Have them think about things that they want to draw. Show them pictures of nature and people that they can draw inspiration from. You may also want to show them clips of finished drawings by other kids.

2. Draw some pictures and let kids observe you. Draw on a piece of paper images that they can relate to, such as pets, houses, food or even sports equipment. Having kids observe is an important technique that art teachers use, since kids love copying what others do. Make sure you use materials that you want them to use. Try to do simple figures first and build up on your sketches, so kids won't be intimidated by complex drawings. This will help motivate them to draw on their own.

3. Work with basic shapes first, then combine these shapes to draw more complex figures. Since, at the beginning, kids don't have a sophisticated grasp of drawing techniques, you have to teach them baby steps by drawing from what they know. For example, when you are teaching them to draw a person, have them think of it as drawing different shapes--circle for the head, an inverted triangle for the chest, an upright triangle for the body and rectangles for the legs.

4. Set a regular drawing time. Being good at drawing takes more than talent--constant practice is important as well, and when kids get into the habit of drawing regularly, they see their work progress. Give them proper drawing materials, such as drawing paper, pencils, ruler, eraser and even an easel, so they will take drawing seriously.

5. Teach them how to color. Giving color to their drawings will make their work more visually appealing. Kids are drawn to colors, and drawing may seem more fun to them when they can choose colors and apply them to their drawings.

References

• Children and Drawing
• Draw Your World
• Drawing on Artists Helping Children

Resources

• Michael's
• Kinder Art
• Learning to Draw for Kids