My 11 year old is very talented when it comes to art. I really want to encourage him with it, what can I do?

Answer 1

HERE, HERE BUNNYGRL43.
I LIKE YOUR ANSWER.
IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BECOME PERSONALLY INVOLVED WITH HIM AS WELL AS FINDING AN ART CLASS OR SCHOOL.

GOOD LUCK.

Answer 2

Try getting him art supplies he may need to be creative. Especailly paints so he can learn pigments. I usually grab the cheap acrylic paints at wal-mart.
But you also need to open his mind to the different aspects of art. If you have a printer you can look on the web and find such things as paper card models which he can print out and build. Get him simple bars of soap or candle wax and let him try carving. Soap and wax are softer than wood and do not require a very sharp knife. And clay of course for sculpting. These activities will help him develop a sense for 3-D structures.
Your not trying to teach him talent remember, he has that already. Your merely storing a data base of how the world works in his mind. As well as instilling confidence in his ability to accomplish a task. I was about his age when I build my first 3-D object. I used a styrofoam meat tray out of the garbage to build a crummy little model of the star ship Enterprise. But it was a start :)
Also there are free program downloads if you think he might enjoy them. The first is called GAME MAKER. He can use this free program to create his own video games. Using the program is so simple even I can figure it out. But it makes real cool games. The second is called G-MAX it is for developing 3-D models and graphics and is pretty cool.

Answer 3

The first step is to find out what KIND of art he likes to do.

If it's drawing, then stock up on lots of paper and pencils.
If it's coloring, then get him lots of crayons, markers, paints and pastels.
If it's sculpture, then get him lots of modeling clay.

My dad brought home a 30 pound roll of paper when I was about 9 or 10. I drew on every scrap of that paper in less than two years. There must've been miles and miles of my drawings.

If I have a pencil and paper I'm never bored. I've been this way since about age 6 or 7.

I'm now working as an artist for Disney making great money and living in a tropical paradise.

Answer 4

Is he in middle school yet, or will he be entering middle school in the upcoming school term? Also, is Art something that he's interested in? If so, be sure to have him enrolled in the school Art classes at that time, and if he's still into it, be sure that he enrolls in those classes during high school, too. I have an 11 year old and a 7 1/2 year old who have their father's art talent, and my husband is a high school art teacher.

Answer 5

I am a 21 year old artist. I grew up loving to draw and such, but I have no artistic history in my family that I know of. But what I did have was a mother and other family members that continued to praise me and encourage me to keep it up. Even show me around in exposé if I happened to have been doing my thing in public. Children tend to do things more when they realize it gets them a positive reaction. Esspecially from a lot of people. I wouldn't nessisarily push classes on him, but definately encourage him to grow as he feels comfortable. Art on demand isn't as magical as art from the heart. But definately provide him with the tools of the trade. Perhaps take him to art galleries of different varieties (obviously with materials suitable for your eleven years olds eyes) to see what might inspire him. take him to books stores. Randomly buy him different mediums: Clay, paint, wood, etc, to see what he can do and what may drive his fancy. If you know somebody that is an artist, ask them too be a mentor.
Teach your son that as an artist, the only limits are his own self doubts, and that there is always potential to get better. Your are never a master artist, because there is always room for improvement. But with devotion, practice, and support from you and his family, he has the potential to stand high above many. Encourage him also to think outside the box. There are many methods of art, and to exlplore each one would broaden his range.
Take this wisdom if you will:
Where for most, the saying goes "the sky is the limit". However, for an artist, its only the beginning.

Answer 6

Take him to the museum. Go to art shows or exhibits with him. Invest in paints, drawing materials, and introduce him to classical music. Classical music can prove to be very inspiring and bring out one's inner sense of creativity. Let him see you find joy in creativity. You can teach best by example. Art comes in many forms; cooking dancing singing culture etc. It is a world all it's own. Encourage him with your enthusiasm for art and let him see how his art inspires you and maybe he'll want to bring that same joy to others. You may have a little Van Gogh on your hands!!

Answer 7

Check the course offerings at your local college or university. I am referring to the Continuing Education classes many offer.

Also, check the offerings at your local Parks and Recreation Dept. Many offer classes in the summer especially for kids.

If you have an art center nearby, check into classes there as well.

All of these institutions offer classes taught by professionals. So, your son should get lots of attention and encouragement.

Answer 8

Start with things that interest him...is he interested in comic books? fantasy characters like Eragon (dragons) or Harry Potter? but once you find what interests him, then make sure he has the tools he needs to explore his creativity. Supply him with pencils, erasers, drawing tablets, colored pencils (prisma colors are the purist colors) and even tissue paper that allows them to trace if needed. If he doesn't draw from memory, then place a few interesting objects on a table, add a light source to one side, and see if everyone in the family can give their drawing/interpretation of the objects on the table.

Find a local drawing class or instructor and see if you can get lessons for him. You can also go online to find drawing lesson plans as well. There is a book called, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" that also gives even experienced artists inspiration and might help him, too.

Just make it fun and no matter what his interpretation or drawing it, make sure you give him positive constructive feedback.

Answer 9

if ur a good artist as well i would draw some pictures and teach him/her how to draw it. take him to a couple art musems so he/she learns the different kind of art out there. buy him some paper, paint, color pencils and all those kind of supplies. enter him/her into an art contest so he can meet talented artist like himself. try and ask the school or area you leave in to have an art club where the kids can play and teach each other about their styles.

Answer 10

Growing up I started drawing at only 4 yrs old with the inative ability to draw cars, houses, and people. With limited resorces my family seat me down at least once a day to draw. Encoragement is the main thing, if he is that good then
be sure he stays at it later on in my life I was approched by a renown artist that took me under his wing and taught me alot about art. He was my middle school teacher. So talk to his teachers about teaching him the things he needs to know to flerish in his abilities. I have a few exercises I would be willing to give him if you are interested in it. But I would like to see his work first... [e-mail]

Answer 11

Well, you can buy him books on different forms of art, so as to introduce new forms and styles, and you can let him have free reign to experiment and design at his own pace, or you can get him a teacher who can help move the process along. I suggest buying him some art books first, such as how to draw Manga, or cartoons, or yada yada. If he is interested in drawing people, I suggest the usborne book "Drawing faces," if he likes drawing animals usborne's "Drawing animals" is a good place to start. Hope this helps!