We don't lack for activities to eat up our hours in the days. Covid or not we are able to keep busy.
One afternoon, with snowflakes quietly falling outside and we had no where to be after completing our to-do list for the day, the boys were looking for an activity to do. I suggested they pulled out their paints since they hadn't done it in a while. They weren't sure it sounded fun... just at home by themselves. I said what if it was an art class? With a real teacher? I was flying by the seat of my pants but Duncan was game and the boys follow his lead. All three boys had been taking an art class this winter and really enjoyed it.
Each week had a different focus. The first few weeks taught about lines (straight, contoured, zigzags...), another week about colour and another about tone. The classes also taught them about new art mediums.
This was from a class using scraps of fabric to create a collage.
This was from a class of collages using 3d objects.
This was a class with broken crayons, silhouettes and a blow dryer.
Some were a nature painting based off a photograph.
We used up every inch of wall space in their bedroom to hang art.
Some took over the bookshelves.
Duncan even took a few art classes.. His were at the retirement center. Technically he was there to assist the elderly, but he also participated. He has done collages, ceramics and edible art.
So Virtual Art Class became a thing.
We cued up Bob Ross on the laptop and set up the paints.
They followed his instructions well and paused a lot. Bob can paint very quickly.
After almost two hours, they were pleased with their 'stormy seas' renditions.
We decided we wanted to do another Bob Ross and this time we let others know... since it was virtual, anyone, anywhere could paint.
Now Painting on Thursday afternoons is a thing!
I even painted along with the boys this time.. however I don't find Bob Ross to be relaxing for the inexperienced painter.
Karlsson's joined us for our inaugural group class. Jill watched and enjoyed our angst!
We did a few Bob Ross classes.
Sarah joined us for the next one and it was helpful when we paused Bob to ask Sarah... 'what did he tell us to do? Okay.. how?'
Some of us struggled to get everything Bob said into our paintings... especially the boat... it was an the end of hours of painting and we just didn't have a sweet carefree boat left in us... well except Sarah... her painting looked better than Bob's!
Then Sarah became the teacher and we tried watercolours.
Watercolours with Sarah was more relaxing.
I envision painting as a relaxing hobby. I don't consider it a hobby of mine yet... I prefer house painting still, but I have picked up some knowledge of the craft and I'm very impressed with all the artistic talent we've been seeing in each other.
Emerson sees instructions as very lose guidelines and always amazes with his creations.
He's also typically finished first.
Whittaker stays very focused and listens intently to the instructions.
He is enamoured by cousin Ava and created an entire watercolour book to honour her.
- Ava swimming in a pool.
- Ava likes to ride scooters.
- Ava
- Ava is a vegetarian.
- Ava LOVES kitty cats.
- Ava plays ClubPenguin with me.
- Ava has the BEST Balderdash clues.
- Ava is a good racer at Mariokart and races with us sometimes.
Duncan dutifully painted his three Bob Ross paintings and has either been busy during art class or has opted to just sketch something instead.
I didn't have any idea what I would be capable of when I began. Bob Ross, as I said was not relaxing but it was fun, after it was over. I tried a few different types of paint.. first oils, then acrylics and watercolour together and just watercolour. I ought to give them each another try since once isn't really enough to say I enjoyed or disliked it, but class has moved on to watercolours now and that has been more enjoyable. Except when I use too much water, or tear my page.. or use too much red...
We painted a dock scene with Bob Ross and were completely overwhelmed when he added the boat toward the end of the painting. Sarah tried to help us get past our fear of boat painting.
I think Eden and I agree, we'd rather paint an actual boat than a painting with another boat in it. Who knew such a simple thing as a boat would be so daunting.
We took a break one week from regular painting and had a rock painting day.
Rock painting lasted late into the evening. The boys really got into it and went out looking for more rocks. They easily painted a dozen rocks.
I painted a few myself. Anything goes it seems, on a rock!
And then.... everyone was busy one week. Whittaker and Emerson had a private class with watercolour through a straw technique. Emerson had finished his entire painting of a 'parkor' course before the first instructions were given and he left.
Whittaker focused and committed, stayed to finish his straw watercolour.
'Apple Orchard on a Sunny Day'
Finally, chicken painting day arrived. I had been campaigning for chicken painting day. I thought it would be delightful. I wasn't paying attention and missed some key instructions at the beginning. I ended up with a fire engine red chicken.. It took a lot of work to blend other colours into my FDWY chicken. (Fire Department Wyoming Chicken) I may have led the boys down the red row also.
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| even John sent in a chicken art submission! |
After posting our completed art projects John sent us this funky dancing chicken masterpiece. Art is ageless, subjective and regardless of the instructions.. the outcomes are all unique to the painter. Loving art classes... most of the time.
Caleb also sent in an Art Class entry....
His entry lacks colour, style and he didn't really listen to Bob Ross... happy little accidents can become a cloud or a tree... not just dirty pants and boots.
Next week Miss Ava is teaching class. I wonder if it will have anything to do with kitties??
