if you have a young artist...

[Anonymous]

How did you help develop DC's talents?
My daughter is 8 and very creative, likes to draw, intuitive with colors. I have bought her some drawing books that she likes to look at, and she copies some of the cute anime/cartoony stuff.
I read somewhere kids don't really need to take a formal art class til age 12 or so and just let her be creative at home. How did some of your kids grow their artistic talents?

[Anonymous]

I wonder the same thing, but my kid is 13. She is self-taught and peer-taught by her best friend, and started during the pandemic when we bought her an iPad. She can spend hours drawing on it with her stylus, so it's mostly practice.

If someone has recommendations for art classes (digital art classes?), I'd appreciate them. OP, I think that your 8 year old can always benefit from a art class or summer camp if they wish, and learn some interesting techniques.

[Anonymous]

In PG county there are some nice classes at Artworks Now in Hyattsville and the Montpelier Art Center.
My child took classes at both and is now in the Visual Arts specialty program in high school.

[Anonymous]

My son has done some great classes through Outschool. They tailor them to kids interests - he’s taken portraiture, anime, working with colors/shading, and landscapes.

[Anonymous]

Take her to Michael's once a month and see what interests her (they often have coupons on their website!)

[Anonymous]

Picasso said no formal art education until 12 lest you stiffle creativity. But her exposure with galleries, studios and museums. Expose her to different kinds of art; music, cinema, cilinary arts, animation eyc. Good job getting her art supplies and letting her experiment, keep doing that!
-- fine arts professor

[Anonymous]

I would put a kid that age into art camps. And I'd buy them supplies to try different materials. Charcoal, acrylics, watercolors, pencils, clay, and so on. Get them guide books and examples to show them how to use those materials. Yarn is another great one. Crochet can be fun and embroidery is something that many kids love.