Drawing with Color at TEIA

Last week, I headed down the hill to the TEIA, also know as “the club” to lead a 2 day class in Drawing With Color for kids aged 8 – 12. The last two summers, I’ve done this class with adults. Kids’ turn this time.

We began a discussion of terms with a color wheel I inherited from my Uncle Roley.

It’s one thing to talk color, it’s even better to draw. This is Mia’s curvaceous color wheel.

I brought my stash of Color Aid paper so everyone could try their hand at a classic demonstration of the relative nature of color: Josef Albers’  exercise in making 3 colors become 4 colors:

Yes, the little scrap in the center of the two larger rectangles is the same color. It looks different based on it’s environment.

Kids then made color swatches of their 10 favorite colors and named them, like Bubble Gum and Lupine.

I plucked some hydrangeas from the nearby garden for a quick still life in which they tried pastel pencils and working on colored paper. This one is Grace’s:

This is Mia’s:

Next up: finding an object to draw. Caitlin brought a big hunk of seaweed from the beach!

Natty was drowsy and graciously agreed to model for the rest of us. Here’s my sketch of him.

We used big paper to trace each student’s outline to draw in later.

Grace drew big eyes and flowing hair, and a top with a million hearts.

The next day was sunnier. I brought viewfinders for framing a scene, and boxes and boxes of different pastels, plus a grab bag full of drawing prompts.

Natty used his to frame the water at his feet, and came back and made this impromptu seascape. Gotta love his blues.

Caitlin got the prompt: Draw a yeti on the beach in only warm colors. Here she goes!

Grace and Mia are drawing flowers up close using only 5 colors. Limitations are like hoops to jump through.

The setting provides plenty of subject matter, so next we drew boats.

To close out the afternoon, each of them sat (sort of) still for 10 minutes while we drew. This is my sketch of Caitlin.

Grace:

Mia:

Quite a trick getting kids to sit still at this age! It was a tremendous treat to draw with them. Keep those eyes and pencils sharp!

The TEIA recently hosted their annual Color and Pages of Peaks, during which I signed books alongside esteemed authors such as Eleanor Morse, Thomas Rice, Catherynne Valente, and Jenny Yasi.

I was delighted to learn I also sold this recent pastel, “Hunky Dory Dusk” to an island neighbor.

The color, boats, and skies of Peaks Island inspire me no end. Thanks to TEIA for opportunities to share such marvels in our midst.