Today the art class headed outdoors to a nearby park where the objective was to draw from direct observation. While an adult may take in the whole scene, selecting a well organized composition including buildings, trees, bushes, and interesting curves in the land mass, children tend to take a different approach.

I pointed out the different shapes of leaves in various trees that we walked by. We collected a few leaves for close observation. Then I asked if the shape of the leaf gave the whole tree a different look from another type of tree with a different shaped leaf. I had selected a tree with very large leaves, one with thin hanging leaves, and a pine with needles. Yes, they thought the leaves and needles made a difference in how the tree appeared at a distance. We explored ways to draw those differences. After this introduction to nature the children were encouraged to find other interesting objects and draw them.

Childhood is a time for noticing the details. Children take little for granted when they are taught to be fascinated by nature. George Kneller, in our quote of the month states that "...we must be able to look afresh at those things we take for granted." It is easier to do this when we break out into new territories.

The older students drew an interesting tree or shrub including in their pictures buildings, mountains, and other backgrounds they saw. The younger students were more impressed with the small objects such as a gigantic dandy-lion, a pine cone, leaves, an old shoe left behind, and a feather. Many stopped their drawing to observe a beetle or butterfly passing by. When we returned to the house we took time to look at each work. When it was time for the youngest to share, we saw sheet after sheet had been filled completely with circles. Knowing not to say, "What is it?" I asked him to tell us about his pictures. It's these, he said, and he emptied his pockets. Proudly he showed us the rocks he'd seen, collected, and drew. Isn't it precious that when drawing from observation, even the youngest among us has something to gain, and something to share with the others? We all acknowledged his work and gave our nods of approval and smiles. This little guy will be drawing with us again.