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Face Painting Tips for Beginners
Face painting can be a fun and rewarding skill to pick up, whether for classroom rewards, birthday parties, or community events. These five beginner-friendly tips will help you get started with confidence, from choosing simple designs to managing eager kids in line!
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8 Engaging Halloween and Fall Art Projects for Children
Looking for fun and engaging fall art projects? Check out these 8 creative ideas perfect for both art teachers and parents! From interactive haunted houses to cozy autumn drawings, these projects will inspire kids to embrace the fall and Halloween spirit while learning new art techniques
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There's a Ghost in This House Art Project
Discover a fun and sustainable Halloween art project perfect for classrooms and homes! Inspired by Oliver Jeffers’ book “There’s a Ghost in This House” and the viral “Thrifted Ghost Paintings” trend, this easy DIY lesson teaches students how to upcycle old book pages and frames into spooky, creative art. Perfect for art teachers and seasonal arts and crafts activities, this project brings imagination and sustainability together for a festive classroom experience.
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What's in my Quell Case: My Favorite Art Supplies to Take on the Go!
Looking for the best art supplies to keep you creating on the go? In this blog, I share my favorite art tools that I always keep in my Quell Sketchbook Carrier Case. Perfect for artists and art teachers alike, these essentials—like sketchbooks, drawing pencils, markers, and more—help break down barriers to art making and keep your creativity flowing anytime, anywhere. Discover which art supplies you should have on hand to elevate your artistic practice, whether you’re in the classroom or out in the world!
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Meet your Sketchbook's new BFF: The Quell Carrier Case.
Looking for a way to make art on the go easier? The Quell Sketchbook Carrier Case is the ultimate tool for artists and art teachers. Designed to keep your sketchbooks and supplies organized, portable, and protected, this case breaks down barriers to creativity. Whether you're traveling or teaching, the Quell Carrier Case ensures you're always ready to create. Explore how this must-have accessory can elevate your creative routine today!
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5 Ways to Embrace Cozy Season
Embrace cozy season with these 5 simple ways to stay warm and creative, perfect for art teachers looking to relax and find inspiration. From evening rituals to sketching cozy autumn scenes, discover how slowing down and enjoying life's small pleasures can enhance your creativity and well-being.
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Pop Art Apples: A Warhol-Inspired Printmaking Project 🍎
Bring the vibrant world of pop art into your home or classroom with a fun and easy project that celebrates fall, creativity, and a local Pittsburgh legend—Andy Warhol!
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10 Reasons Why You Should Share Your Personal Art with Your Students as an Art Teacher
As an art teacher, one of the most impactful things you can do is share your personal artwork with your students. This not only inspires them but also demonstrates your credibility and passion for art. By showcasing your unique creations, you provide real-life examples of artistic techniques and growth. Your students will see firsthand the dedication and skill involved in creating art, which can motivate them to invest more deeply in their own artistic journeys. Learn how sharing your personal art can transform your teaching approach and inspire your students to reach new heights in their creativity.
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10 Benefits of Using Drawing Guides with Children in the Art Room
When I first began my teaching career, I would often have multiple students at a time asking me how to draw XYZ. I would try to grab a piece of scrap paper and show them how to draw the requested thing, but after a few students, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by the requests. It was a few years into my teaching journey that I decided I would start creating simple drawing guides of some of their top requests to have on hand in my classroom for them to access whenever they needed it. Well, pretty quickly, they became a huge hit and students were requesting I draw more and more subjects. I started to notice that students would rather follow the steps to drawing at their own pace, versus me showing them in real time. So, I decided to double down and create as many drawing guides as I could that would align with our lessons, their interests and more and keep them in a spot in my classroom that my students could access whenever they wanted. It was hands down one of the best decisions I made as an art teacher. Pictured: The Ultimate Growing Drawing Guide Bundle Drawing is a fundamental part of childhood development. It not only fosters creativity but also enhances fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and cognitive development. For young children, drawing guides can be an invaluable tool that builds confidence in hesitant artists by providing structure and support that can lead to a more fulfilling and educational art experience. I certainly believe in open ended artistic experiences for children, like TAB and process art, however, I also know there are endless benefits for young children when you integrating drawing guides into your art room or home. Here are some of the key reasons why children benefit from having access to drawing guides: 1. Builds Confidence Pictured: Things that Go Drawing Guide Drawing guides offer a framework that helps children feel more confident in their abilities. With a step-by-step approach, children can see their progress and are less likely to become frustrated. This boost in confidence encourages them to keep practicing and developing their skills. 2. Enhances Fine Motor Skills Pictured: Interior Spaces Reference Guide Following a drawing guide requires children to focus on precise movements, which helps improve their fine motor skills. This practice is crucial for their overall development and can aid in other activities that require hand-eye coordination, such as writing. 3. Develops Spatial Awareness Pictured: Undersea Animals Drawing Guide Drawing guides often involve understanding shapes, sizes, and the placement of objects in relation to one another. This helps children develop spatial awareness, an important skill that contributes to their ability to understand and interact with the world around them. 4. Encourages Attention to Detail Pictured: Winter Village Drawing Guide Using a drawing guide teaches children to pay attention to details. They learn to observe and replicate specific features, which enhances their observation skills and attention to detail. These skills are beneficial not only in art but in various aspects of learning and daily life. 5. Promotes Problem-Solving Skills Pictured: How to Draw Dogs Drawing Guide When children use drawing guides, they encounter challenges that require problem-solving. Whether it's figuring out how to draw a difficult shape or deciding where to place elements on the page, these small challenges help develop their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. 6. Provides a Sense of Achievement Pictured: Dogs Drawing Guide, Tasty Treats Drawing Guide, Flower Crown Canine Guide Completing a drawing guide gives children a sense of accomplishment. Seeing a finished piece of art that they created by following steps reinforces their sense of achievement and motivates them to take on more complex projects in the future. 7. Encourages Creativity Within Structure Pictured: Winter Woodland Creatures Drawing Guide While drawing guides provide structure, they still allow room for creativity. Children can add their own touches, choose colors, and make their own decisions within the guidelines. This balance of structure and creativity helps them learn how to follow instructions while still expressing their individuality. 8. Makes Learning Fun Pictured: Farm Animals Drawing Guide Drawing guides can make learning fun and engaging. They transform what might feel like a challenging task into an enjoyable activity. This positive association with learning can encourage children to explore other educational activities with enthusiasm. 9. Supports Emotional Expression Pictured: Simple Self Portrait Guide Pictured: The Real Me Art Lesson Art is a powerful medium for emotional expression. Drawing guides can help children articulate their feelings and experiences through their artwork. The structured approach of a guide can make it easier for children to express themselves, especially if they are unsure where to start. 10. Provides a Foundation for Artistic Growth Pictured: Simple Self Portrait Guide Pictured: Advanced Self Portrait Drawing Guide Using drawing guides can provide a strong foundation for artistic growth. As children become more comfortable with the basics, they can start experimenting with more advanced techniques and develop their unique style. The skills and confidence gained from drawing guides can be a springboard for a lifelong love of art. Pictured: Cozy Autumn Drawing Guide Incorporating drawing guides into art education for young children offers numerous benefits that extend beyond the art classroom. From building confidence and fine motor skills to encouraging creativity and problem-solving, drawing guides are a valuable tool in nurturing a child's development. By providing structure and support, drawing guides help children discover the joy of creating while developing essential skills that will serve them throughout their lives. If you are interested in the drawing guides that I create for my students and kids everywhere, feel free to check out all of my drawing guides here. Or you can go ahead and check out my ULTIMATE Growing Drawing Guide Bundle here, where there are 28 resources and counting. The cool thing about this resource is that every time I add a new drawing guide to this bundle, you can just redownload the product and it'll automatically be added at no extra cost! Speaking of my drawing guides, I thought I would take a moment to share just a few of the dozens of messages I have received in response to my guided drawings! I cannot tell you how much each and every one of these messages has meant to me and knowing your students and children (and even adults) are finding confidence in their artistic skills means the absolute world to me! <3
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5 Unexpected Pieces of Advice for New Art Teachers: Lessons from a Veteran Art Teacher
Discover five essential pieces of advice for new art teachers from my 15 years of experience teaching elementary art. Learn how to slow down, set boundaries, and collaborate with colleagues to create a supportive and inspiring art education environment. Embrace these tips to enhance your teaching journey and let your creativity shine.
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8 Simple Ways to Prep for the Upcoming School Year That Won't Ruin Your Summer
Prepare for the upcoming school year without sacrificing your summer with these simple, stress-free tips. From organizing your classroom to updating lesson plans and planning a welcome activity, these strategies will help you start the year smoothly while enjoying your summer break. Discover how to make the most of your summer and set yourself up for a successful school year.
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5 Exciting Fireworks Art Projects for Kids: Fun and Easy Techniques
Discover five creative ways to make fireworks art with your students! This blog covers wax resist, DIY scratchboard, fluorescent paint on black paper, foil marker print, and raised salt painting techniques. Perfect for art educators looking to inspire creativity in the classroom.
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