Microsoft Paint is a simple software programme. It is easy to teach children the basics of design by setting and demonstrating very small one lesson projects.
Sometimes it is good to allow children to work in pairs so that they can discover artistic process together. If this seems too daunting due to class size use this method to halve the class and rotate when the time seems natural. Art ClassManagement: Managing Large Numbers in Art
Project Description
For this project the subject matter of a Diver has been chosen
drawing the diver will ask the children to place "circles with in circles" and this will challenge them to practice placement of shape
Through practice they will become proficient with the circle shapes tool
They will be visually explore the structure of drawing
They will experience drawing with an example to use as a map or a plan
It will give them a very clear set of instructions to follow that will show them how drawings are built up in layers
Have the children sit on the floor in front of the screen
Sitting them in front of the computer at this stage would be to ask for trouble as they may want to play with the keyboard rather than watch and listen
Show them finished drawings of divers
There are examples at the bottom of this article
Draw the divers in many poses and with a variety of embellishments this will encourage them to
explore their creativity
as well as the technical aspects of the MSPaint Programme
and to experiment with the basics of drawing
Once you have really explored the drawing aspects of the project
ask the children to name each element of the picture eg divers helmet,sea weed,bubbles,coral flippers,face mask ,breathing tank,bubbles spray
After the children have explored the picture visually, ask them which tool was used to create each element of the design
explore the picture - challenging the children to think about and guess how they would draw each part
this will help them to realise that they can think through any design they aspire to create
Once you have exhausted all possibilities for exploration, show them how you drew the diver.
Make sure they know this is only one way - one approach
Start with the Divers Helmet and move inwards placing circles within circles
In sequence place the helmet ,face ,eyes ,face mask, in the appropriate places with the appropriate proportions
This encourages the children to enjoy exploring size and proprotion
Draw ithe rest of the figure by asking them what "they think you should do" each time you move to a new aspect of the drawing
Move to the back ground and create this with the kids
Be careful to use as many tools as possible so that they see the use of each tool being modelled
Eg1. the bubbles are at first created with the Circle Shape Tool ...but ...then the illusion of very small bubbles is created with the larger scattered Spray Ccan Tool
Eg2. Rocks are loosely drawn with the Brush Tool and filled with the Paint Can Tool
The coral placed in front and on top of the rocks and the sandy floor is created with the Finer Spray Can Tool.
At the end of this lesson allow the children to leave their drawings open on the screen so that they can walk around through the computers as if it were a little Under Water Exhibition.
Please post examples or questions to the discussion boards. If you are looking for more ideas to get started Draw Under The Water Scenes With MS Paint will get you started!
The copyright of the article MS Paint for Little Children in Visual Arts Education is owned by Jo Murphy. Permission to republish MS Paint for Little Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.