MS Paint for Little Children
Simple Painting Projects for Lower Years Computer Art Classes
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 Class Management: 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
Materials.
- A computer with the MS Paint Programme per child or couple
- A Projector and Screen for demonstration purposes
- Printer for the final product
- A sample drawing (thought out well in advance)
Process
- 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.
- Sea weed can be enhanced by using the Bendy Line Tool
Enjoy this project
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!
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