An activity with paper, pencils and texters…and a colouring in book for something special.
I used to think of drawing as a designated compartment in family life. Something the kids did as a random activity on a rainy afternoon.
Since I met Fi, who is holidaying in Bali for 6 months with her family, I’ve extended our basic drawing materials. Any excuse to buy stationery, right? Fi uses simple drawing materials in a wonderful way, and it’s impacted my attitude towards drawing, and every day art.
At my place now, you will find watercolours, pencils, a black fine point pen and lovely paper sitting permanently on my kitchen bench. And we draw. All of us. Me even. I draw leaves while waiting for the jug to boil. The kids draw characters, notes, doodles, rainbows, flowers and sunshine.
I don’t think a day goes by without some sort of artwork, because the materials are always there, waiting. No one needs permission to draw…it can be done at whim or with reason. Sure, we have some rules about packing up but I’ve learned that if I keep things simple, seamless transitions are possible. So, drawing is now an integral, and very enjoyable part of our every day lives, woven in the time already given. Woven. Weave. Thread. Through. I like that.
It’s grounding — drawing — calming; it helps you to see and feel.
You can be both present and mindless at the same time.
Drawings can grow into art with paint, paper and collage…over hours, days or weeks. Layers.
Life should have layers. Growth. Inspiration. Creation. And a little spontaneity.
Drawing/Art Materials
I asked Fi, what materials she enjoys to use in Bali so I could add a few more materials to our ever growing list.
Materials in Fi’s basic drawing/art kit
- Watercolour Paint
- Paint brushes
- Charcoal
- Pencils
- Sharpener
- Rubber
- Washi tape
- Scissors
- String
- Paper clips
- Paper / Sketch pad
Materials Fi added on their travels
- Rubbish
- Plastic
- Crayons
- Bags
- Glue
- Newspaper
- More pencils
- Envelopes
- Receipts
- Crayons
- Bamboo
- Chalk
- Leaves
Drawing
Below are some gorgeous doodles and super simple projects done by Fi and her kids. It’s inspiring!
Our Drawing/Art Materials
- Watercolours
- Fine Point Pen
- Pencils
- Watercolour paper (slightly textured)
- Crayons
- Texters
Some drawings
9 Comments
Erin
July 31, 2012 at 4:03 amLove this post. I recently bought a craft turntable and filled it with similar materials as I found my girls (3 and 4) were asking to draw all the time. I figure they are now past the “draw on the walls” stage” (though it never happened anyway) so it lives on our kitchen table and they are constantly creating something. I’ve noticed that drawing/writing is also incorporated into their imaginary play a lot more now that the materials are easily accessible (e.g “taking the roll” when playing preschools/swimming etc.) . The only problem I have with it is sneaking some of the excess drawings/craft into the recycling without them knowing . . .
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
July 31, 2012 at 7:35 amYeah, my kids weave drawing into play too. It’s fabulous, isn’t it? And I’m guilty of sneaking stuff into the recycling too…but that’s all part of creating…and recreating. I keep a lot of drawings in a box too, and the kids can reuse and add to the drawings.
Erin
July 31, 2012 at 4:04 amOh yes, and I find I am doing a lot more drawing/colouring/crafting with them spontaneously too!
neen
July 31, 2012 at 8:01 amAbsolutely love this Kelly!!! Will share this on my page.
This is something i believe in too.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
July 31, 2012 at 1:24 pmThanks Neen. x
Joan
July 31, 2012 at 11:08 pmThis post made me remember two things. They are both about my uncle’s family. He is an architect and kind of self-taught painter. His study was always full of stationery stuff, very attractive for 7 or 8 year old kids we were then with my cousin. It reminded me firstly about the perfect table he has…it was large and all covered by wrapping paper, very neatly. But the decoration of his scribbles and immediate ideas and little pictures on it !!! He drew them unconsciously, while working on something serious, when his mind needed a relief. It was simply amazing. For him it was a solution of the tunes of previous small sticknotes with doodles everywhere, for us a series of stories and source of inspiration. And then, when she was a little older, he did the same paper modification to my cousin’ s table too and she was happy to follow his example. Her younger brother, however, didn’ t consider paper the right material to express himself. He used to steal some crayons and draw on the white walls everywhere in the house. I used to think it was nice, rainbow like, but actually it was driving his parents crazy (of course). After a couple of his artistic attacks they explained him strictly, that he couldn’ t continue and the house was painted white again…He is 22 now and recently I saw my aunt watching the wall and saying she wished he was the child he used to be then once more. But she knows the scribbles as the proof of that time are somewhere there …and they always will be.
Kelly Be A Fun Mum
August 1, 2012 at 4:33 pmOh, what a lovely story!!! Thanks for sharing Joan.
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