CHILDREN and the 'wet on wet' watercolour painting technique

Children who do not like drawing or painting are few and far between. Once two-year-old toddlers get a hold of drawing implements, they'll draw their own unique and personal interpretations.

 

A lot of parents realise that the doors of their child's imagination and creativity have been opened - and many nurture this endless source of imagination and creativity. Children who attend art classes do so because parents are convinced of the school's "professionalism" and come to the conclusion that "art" is merely a "subject" or an activity to relieve stress, have fun and entertain the senses.

However the "freedom" and infinite boundaries possessed by children's minds which are channelled into works of art are often viewed as a source of artistic creativity.

A school of thought has emerged by championing children's art as a stage for freedom and boundless imagination which should be as natural as possible.

This thinking is termed as Antroposophy, also known as Waldorf education, whereby Dr Rudolf Steiner, a famous German philosopher, indicated that drawings made by children in various stages of life are a reflection of their Self-inner Development. Dr Steiner said, "art is at one with the human spirit".

Anupan Pluckpankhajee, affectionately known as Khru Mos (Teacher Mos) to his students, is an art therapist and author of Our Children are Colouring the World. He said that drawing in the Waldorf style does not place importance on an artistic work or the result itself, but focuses on the process, the time taken to draw and the influence of the various colours that relate to the inner-self of the child. Parents participating in their children's painting activities helps them to understand their children's Self-inner Development and artistic talents as well.

"I believe children require warmth and attention. Even while they are drawing, they still want somebody to provide warmth and support for their feelings. Parents should be confident in learning art with their children. Parents should understand a painting or drawing in its entirety in relation to their child's Self-inner Development. Children everywhere tend to draw the same things at a certain age because it co-relates to the stages of child development.

"The view that parents should teach their children to read, write and count is the old tradition. But for today and the future, parents must guide their children into becoming people of value, righteous, ethical and be in harmony with life by allowing art to nurture that equilibrium, that balance, which will play a role in reducing violence and cruelty in this world," said Khru Mos.

The 'Whirl of Circle' and the

'Archetycal Cross'

A study of more than 6,000 drawings made by children was initiated three decades ago by Wolfgang Grozinger, a German art teacher, who revealed certain stages of the drawings as a reflection of the thoughts of a baby while in the womb. Hence the drawings of two- to three-year-olds are usually round oval shapes just like the shape of a mother's womb.

They usually begin to draw shapes in the Whirl of Circle or the horizontal lines of the Archetycal Cross, influenced by the surrounding environment.

The movement of both drawing styles, the lines themselves, are endless. There is no direction. This is a reflection of the foundation in the strength of willingness.

Drawings of three- to five-year-olds are filled with feeling and imagination that tend to stand out; while others can actually express and relate to their drawings. After five years, the drawings of a child progress to a thinking level, which means they think before actually starting their work of art. This stage of drawing co-relates with a child's ability to be conscious.

Why use the 'Wet on Wet' watercolour painting technique?

The Wet on Wet technique is recommended because watercolours possess qualities that flow with nature; have a high level of movement; are transparent and bright on wet paper; and is simple and doesn't require a high skill level.

Once you apply paint on wet paper, it flows independently and delivers brighter fresher colour, especially when the paints start to mix and change colour tone in a most exciting manner. This is great fun and excitement for children.

This is also in stark contrast to conventional colouring-in art classes where children are usually asked to paint in frames, a method that prevents free flowing imagination.

Change attitudes before painting with your child

Most parents like to ask their children, "What are you drawing?" This is one example of a parent paying attention to the "artistic result" instead of the "process". Khru Mos opined that this does not fall in line with the intention of using art to foster creativity in children. He stressed parents should pay more attention to the "process" which will allow them to see the process of the child's Self-inner Development as well.

"Children's drawings are just like development in other areas such as crawling, standing and walking. All of these require a certain level of readiness by the child itself. Parents should support patiently and not push or hasten a child by skipping levels or praising only the artistic results thereby overlooking the process of learning and understanding," said Khru Mos.

Getting a child to draw and paint in a free and constant manner, at a rate of one to two times per week, does not harbour the aim of moulding a child into an artist of high calibre but will help a child develop.

"Art will allow them to be in harmony with nature and possess a good heart. The memory and warmth of their parents joining in art sessions will live with them forever." said Khru Mos.