Kids' Art: Interactive Portraits
Draw your own family photo.
Submitted by
Kayla Chong
Kayla Chong
Think your kids' artistic abilities end at stick figures? Think again. With you as an art patron, your youngsters can help guide you as you draw a portrait of the entire family. And you won't even have to pay a sitting fee!
- Paper
- Markers
- Fancy gold frame:Pick one up at a yard sale or dollar store.
- Family portrait:It doesn't have to be of your family, it's just serving as an example.
Prepare your work space and choose paper to fit the frame. Have your markers ready to go ... but don't let your kids have them just yet! (Surely that last incident with the Sharpie is still fresh in your mind.)
Sit around the work area and tell your kids that you're going to draw a picture of the family. Show them examples of other family portraits to give them an idea of what you'll be drawing.
Discuss with the kids what everyone looks like. Point out important features that you'll want to draw. (Dad has a big round head like a giant circle. Mom has beautiful, luxurious, supermodel hair that glistens in the sun.)
Tell the kids you're going to draw your family portrait together and ask them who they want to start with. Talk about that family member's individual parts. Guide younger kids by asking questions like, "Where is Dad's beard? On his chin? Should we draw lines, dots or squiggles?"
After you talk about what and where you are going to draw, give your kids the markers and let them pick the colors they want to use. Again, use guiding questions like, "Is Dad's nose green or pink? What color is his hair?"
Continue guiding them and take turns drawing. (For example, you can draw the head, while they scribble on the hair.)
Be sure to draw every family member and don't forget pets, imaginary friends and favorite stuffed animals.
When you're finished, don't forget to sign your names. (It will be worth more!)
- Take the lead from the great portrait masters of old and stick with just upper body. It's easiest and looks best in a fancy frame.
- This is a great art activity to repeat once a year and keep in order on the wall to see how the family and your child's artistic abilities change throughout the years.
- Got some budding artists on your hands? Visit NickJr.com and let them try their hands at drawing Dora and other favorite characters.
Submit!
