This installment is long overdue, coming two months after the post for Part 2.
As mentioned before, our children do the preliminary sketches themselves. Matt then coaches them through their paintings, providing advice on friskets, brush techniques, washes and other paint applications.
“Painting Sundays” is a commitment that not only requires Matt to give up time that might otherwise go to his own hobbies, but it often challenges his patience. In return, however, he has been richly rewarded by seeing an increase in our children’s interest and abilities in drawing and watercolor. They love this weekly time with their dad, and it shows.
Sharing these images allows us to keep an online portfolio of their work. We hope it also inspires others to invest in and assist with their children’s creative hobbies and interests, away from TVs, computers, videos and gaming devices.*
As you can tell, we’ve had a bit of an ocean theme going for the last few months.
Hermit Crab by Kelly (8 years) 3/7/10
Goldfish (and Scorpion) with Inchworms by Timmy (5 years) 4/27/10
Nautilus by Timmy (5 years) 3/7/10
Salamander and Octopus by Kelly (8 years) 4/27/10
* The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit children’s total entertainment media time to no more than 1 to 2 hours of quality programming per day. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, Prevention and Treatment of Childhood Overweight and Obesity)
