After-school art classes for talented kid

[Anonymous]

Our DS, a rising 3rd grader, is a talented artist (I was quite serious myself through HS, so can tell), and I am looking for a program that could challenge him and provide a more academic-like approach to the art studied. We tried several places, but I feel that none of them take the time to TEACH them. “Here’s a paper and some supplies, draw what you like.” I’m looking or a place that could teach him proportions, composition (I have yet to see anyone teach anything beyond rule of thirds), perspectives, shading techniquets, etc.

Maybe one—not vey accurate—way to explain it is that I’m looking for the “Russian School of Math”, but for arts. Is there anything like that in DC or MD suburbs? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Do you want an academic approach or a broader one that introduce them to artists and process art and such?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you want an academic approach or a broader one that introduce them to artists and process art and such?

OP here. His primary school’s art program does a good job introducing him to the history of art, but isn’t pushing him when it comes to creating own art. So I’m looking for a place that will help him master techniques and apply concepts to paper.

[Anonymous]

Third grade is far too young to get that academic. It isn’t age appropriate.

- signed MFA in fine art with an extensive career in teaching art.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Third grade is far too young to get that academic. It isn’t age appropriate.

- signed MFA in fine art with an extensive career in teaching art.

OP here. So what would you recommend?

[Anonymous]

Does he like anime? There are books on how to draw anime people, faces, expressions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does he like anime? There are books on how to draw anime people, faces, expressions.

He’s done plenty that, and he’s inventing his own anime characters (mixing from various sources). I would like to see him guided in the process, and receiving professional feedback.

[Anonymous]

Have you looked into Art Works Now in Hyattsville? They are wonderful and my kids have enjoyed their programming. Some very talented staff.
https://www.artworksnow.org/

A friend's artsy kid goes to Mango Street in DC, no personal experience there, but they seem to like it.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried the Corchran or Smithsonian? With COVID and shutdowns the programs may not be up and running but they may have what you are looking for. Also, try a YouTube search for this type of content.

[Anonymous]

ArtWorks in Bethesda

[Anonymous]

Have you looked on Outschool? I also have a rising third grader, too, and she's taken a few great art classes there. I think the technique-based courses are typically geared towards older children but there are some that are technique-specific (e.g. watercolor basics, drawing figures, etc...) for younger kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you looked on Outschool? I also have a rising third grader, too, and she's taken a few great art classes there. I think the technique-based courses are typically geared towards older children but there are some that are technique-specific (e.g. watercolor basics, drawing figures, etc...) for younger kids.

Me again - try not to push him too much. My DD got a little burnt out on art classes during the pandemic and is taking a break and focusing on a sport this summer instead.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have only cone here to commiserate as we have found the same problem. My daughter lives art - drawing on paper or digital art. She is currently 11 and we have never found a studio or teacher that actually TEACHES drawing techniques, shading, lighting, etc.

I'm not an artist myself but she has asked so many times for this - since she was in 3rd grade actually.

I have never found, so what I have been doing is getting her good material (sketchbooks, different pencils, charcoal, highlighters, etc). Also books about drawing, like his to draw manga, anatomy book for artists, etc.

All she has learned was self-taught by watching YouTube videos. I remember she spending an ungodly amount of time in 3rd grade watching YouTube about how to draw hands for example.

She asks me to take pictures of her in different poses or take pictures of her sister in various poses to study how turning this way or that affects the position of the arms, legs, hands, etc. In the past 18m or so she has really gotten into digital drawing - initially, she used an apple pencil, but this past birthday I got her the best digital drawing pad for hobbyists and she uses Adobe and some other digital programs. She is very much into this.

I only hope she keeps this as a hobby because most artists don't seem to have it easy or be comfortable financially. What I have told her is that I will support her in whatever she chooses to do with her life, but I want her to go in with open eyes as we are not rich and she won't have a big inheritance or trust fund to fall back on. Sometimes we need to be pragmatic and keep our passions as a hobby.

She has start taking commissions from friends (she charges very cheap) and a good thing that came out of this is that often she “complains” to me that she no longer can work on whatever her mood strikes/she wants because she has to finish this or that “job.”

I have told her that she is too young and doesn't need to work, so she should just enjoy her art. She wants to keep the small commission though, and it has been A GREAT LESSON on why, sometimes, our passion should be kept as hobby. Doing something strictly for pleasure/fun is a completely different animal of doing it as a job. Job has deadlines, schedules, expectations etc. And you have to do it even when you don't feel like it.


Anyway, I still would like to find her a face-to-face class that teaches those techniques and provides feedback and critique.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ArtWorks in Bethesda

Or stonebranch in Rockville

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I have only cone here to commiserate as we have found the same problem. My daughter lives art - drawing on paper or digital art. She is currently 11 and we have never found a studio or teacher that actually TEACHES drawing techniques, shading, lighting, etc.

I'm not an artist myself but she has asked so many times for this - since she was in 3rd grade actually.

I have never found, so what I have been doing is getting her good material (sketchbooks, different pencils, charcoal, highlighters, etc). Also books about drawing, like his to draw manga, anatomy book for artists, etc.

All she has learned was self-taught by watching YouTube videos. I remember she spending an ungodly amount of time in 3rd grade watching YouTube about how to draw hands for example.

She asks me to take pictures of her in different poses or take pictures of her sister in various poses to study how turning this way or that affects the position of the arms, legs, hands, etc. In the past 18m or so she has really gotten into digital drawing - initially, she used an apple pencil, but this past birthday I got her the best digital drawing pad for hobbyists and she uses Adobe and some other digital programs. She is very much into this.

I only hope she keeps this as a hobby because most artists don't seem to have it easy or be comfortable financially. What I have told her is that I will support her in whatever she chooses to do with her life, but I want her to go in with open eyes as we are not rich and she won't have a big inheritance or trust fund to fall back on. Sometimes we need to be pragmatic and keep our passions as a hobby.

She has start taking commissions from friends (she charges very cheap) and a good thing that came out of this is that often she “complains” to me that she no longer can work on whatever her mood strikes/she wants because she has to finish this or that “job.”

I have told her that she is too young and doesn't need to work, so she should just enjoy her art. She wants to keep the small commission though, and it has been A GREAT LESSON on why, sometimes, our passion should be kept as hobby. Doing something strictly for pleasure/fun is a completely different animal of doing it as a job. Job has deadlines, schedules, expectations etc. And you have to do it even when you don't feel like it.


Anyway, I still would like to find her a face-to-face class that teaches those techniques and provides feedback and critique.

OMG. Don't turn your kid into this kid.