ARTistic Pursuits: Art of the Ancients { A Review on Teaching Children Art}

We really enjoyed our first foray into art with ARTistic Pursuits Inc. last year and we were excited to continue on with the K-3rd Grade Level, Volumes 1-8 series.  This year we tried our hand at Art of the Ancients, K-3 Volume 2.

About Art of the Ancients

Art of the Ancients contains 18 art projects that mimic ancient forms of art.  From European Cave Drawings to Greek Pottery, to Roman Early Christian Painting, the book allows your student to explore history through its art.

Inside the front cover is found both the Blu-ray and DVD version of the 6 video lessons.  In the beginning of the book you will also find the list of art supplies necessary for the projects.  It does assume that you already have the starter supplies from the first book.  Therefore, if you are starting with this book, or doing the books out of order, you would need to purchase them as well.  In addition, there is a list of household supplies that will be needed.  You will want to look over them also.

The art medium in this book focuses on clay and soft pastels.  They do suggest a specific brand of soft pastels.  Since we liked their recommendations in the first book, I went ahead and followed them in this book as well.  The pastels recommended are of good quality; however, they are very fragile.   My six year old, Olivia, broke nearly every one she touched which frustrated her older siblings working alongside her.  I would have preferred to get a less expensive set, even if they weren’t as great, until she could use them properly.

I will also add, in case you are an art novice like myself, clay is a rather messy medium.  Had I thought that through, I perhaps would have chosen differently.   Although my kids were very excited to get their hands messy.  Both soft pastels and clay will leave little hands coated.  Be prepared with damp cloths to wipe hands on to minimize mess.

The Projects

The art projects themselves were fun and even a little bit of a challenge.  I did like the way they incorporated having the kids replicate the art work they were studying.  For example, after learning about cave painting, the students were told to crumple their brown paper before drawing on it to give them the illusion of drawing on a cave wall’s uneven texture.  Taping paper to the wall before they draw was another.  These instructions give the children a unique experience.   It allows them to imagine what it might have been like for those creating art during those time periods.

Soft Pastels

The very first project is designed to get the children acclimated to using pastels.

From there they learn about some of the first cave paintings discovered and make their own cave painting.  Olivia really struggled with the soft pastels.  It took some coaching to get her to complete the first two projects.  She was upset at having to crumple her paper to mimic a cave wall because it made it more difficult to draw on.  This gave us an opportunity to talk about how impressive cave paintings were because the people drawing on them only had uneven surfaces.  After some persuasion she agreed to give it a try.

Clay

After dabbling in soft pastels, kids begin their venture into clay by learning about slab building.  The video for this lesson teaches the kids how to care for the clay.  In addition, it teaches techniques that will be used in subsequent lessons.

When we got to this lesson I realized too late that I hadn’t picked up a canvas cloth.  I could substitute wax paper.  Wax paper does not make a good substitute!  Make sure you have the cloth!

Looking Forward