Our Blog
Are you looking to further your artistic knowledge or become a better art teacher? Our blog posts are well researched and based on facts for students, teachers, parents or anyone looking to further their artistic knowledge. Put on the kettle and enjoy the reading...
Often, our first experiences of artwork are drawings or paintings in children’s story books. Babies and toddlers listen as the story is read to them and look at the pictures. Gradually the pictures start to make sense and children connect the visuals, the words and reality. But do we always...
I just like it, it’s pretty cool”
Working out the “why, what, how” of responding formally to artworks for senior students
In a previous blog, we unpacked an alphabetical range of art terminologies commonly used by us, as your presenters, in our ArtEyeDeer video lessons....
Ask any homeschooling parent and they will tell you that educating your kids at home can be challenging and rewarding at the same time. This is particularly true for when your kids become teenagers. Can you see advantages, especially for the development of artistic abilities?
Perhaps you’re...
Art had a backseat
Decades ago in education, art had a backseat. In secondary education, it was expected that Maths, Sciences and humanities be studied over the performing arts. Art was not valued as a subject. How many jobs are there that would need art?!
Now it’s a visual world
There is...
It can be a bit of a daunting task writing about the artwork you create.
Artists face this prospect all the time in the daily pursuit of their art-making. They are asked by galleries to submit an artist’s statement about a body of work for exhibition; they write statements for entry into...
But what does that word actually mean?
In almost every ArtEyeDeer lesson we use art terminology that helps us, as your presenter, to categorise concepts, styles, approaches, techniques and processes. Sometimes the terms are self-evident, and at other times their meaning may not be quite so clear...
How much time young people spend looking at a screen is controversial, to say the least. So the consideration of whether to allow, even encourage, children to use digital technologies for drawing will be based on our perceptions of the importance of these skills, an understanding of the...
We learn by observing, experimenting, exploring, making mistakes, and through explicit teaching.
Making the first marks
What a joy to watch the delight on a toddler’s face when they see the marks they make with a crayon on paper. Can I do that again?! How we react as viewers has an impact...
How do we reflect on our own artwork and respond to art created by others? What is it that results in us experiencing beauty? This questioning and wondering is often referred to as aesthetics: the theory of art and beauty. If something is referred to as aesthetic, it is seen as pleasing to...
Creating your art on different surfaces.
When we record our ArtEyeDeer videos, we’re conscious of keeping the surfaces that you make your artworks on accessible.
By surfaces, we’re predominantly referring to paper, but from time to time, we like to introduce related surfaces...
The full curriculum in The Arts can cover Media Arts, Drama, Dance and Music, as well as Visual Arts. The focus here is to consider how Visual Arts can be taught across other curriculum areas as well as a standalone subject. Whether you are a classroom teacher or home educator, trying to fit in...
Does the quality of the materials you use to make artworks matter?
The answer is a surprising “Yes” and “No”!
As far as possible, it’s always better to purchase once, and purchase well. But it’s also equally important to realise that good materials require...
Art draws on tools and materials. The tools might be our hands and the materials, sand. The artwork might be a hobby, a lesson or a career. Providing our children at home, or our students at school, with diverse opportunities to develop their artistic skills can be expensive, but does not need to...
Lift Off!
I can’t believe we’re finally launching Art Eye Deer!
In 2007 I sat with one of my best friends in Sydney and she asked me “if you could do anything in the world, what would you do?” and I responded with “I would teach art to kids all over the...
Camping is an awesome experience to give to all kids. Here are 5 things we did over the weekend with our kids while camping to keep them busy:
1. Collect fire wood(Check your local fire ban rules/restrictions.) Throw on some shoes to protect from scratches and watch out for snakes (if you're...
Involving kids or groups of people in artworks can bring communities together and give children a sense of being part of something 'bigger' than themselves. It's one of my favourite things to do: get participants to create their own drawings or paintings and then bring...
You might be surprised to find that art and maths actually have a lot in common. For instance, angles and patterns are found in both art and maths. Measurements are necessary in both art and maths too, but maybe they are a little bit obvious. The following list of five things you’ll find in...
Whether it’s your first year as an art teacher or you’re experienced at teaching art to teens, beginning a new year of art classes can be intimidating for anyone. Teenagers can be difficult to teach at times, seeming to challenge every rule. They can be disruptive, hardheaded, and...
In 2018, for the second year in a row, Tasting Australia asked Artventure to teach kids about food through art. We had over 100 kids come and join in the free activity (including the wonderful Liz Ellis and her daughter) where we created artworks inspired by our...
Whether your teenager is going into high school for the first time or returning for another year, they’ll inevitably feel stress from the pressure placed on them. After all, the high school years are crucial in preparation for the university or adult years. Even if your teen has plans other...
The internet and social media can open up amazing opportunities for learning, research, and forging relationships. With that said, it’s important to remember that the web is simply a tool, and it can be used in various ways. Just as with virtually any tool, the internet and social media can...
Collaborative learning is being used in classrooms around the world in various subjects. While competitive learning, in which the student reflects more on his or her own work than that of others, can be used in art, collaborative learning gives students the opportunity to learn new skills...
Letting a child play with play dough or paint might seem like a chore for parents, caregivers and teachers who have to clean up the mess. But for the child, sensory play is making new connections in their brain while supporting overall development. Research has shown that sensory play aids in...
Art supplies can get expensive, especially when you have particularly artistic children who want to create art all the time! In this article, we’ll help you save money and make memories by making your own art supplies at home with your kids. :-)
1. Glue
You and your kids can make homemade...
