Ann - I just wanted you to know that I have a ds that was resistant to drawing first. He has perfectionistic tendencies, and he just never did like anything to do with drawing or coloring from the very start. I am very happy to say that he now LIKES to draw, and he's actually pretty good at it. I think it's because of the years of doing HOD. The step by step drawing in the "Draw and Write Through History" books has helped especially. I noticed he had trouble with perspective to begin with. His elephant was very tiny, I remember.
It helped him if I talked about ball-parking a measurement of about how big it should be by a simple hand measurement (i.e. thumb/forefinger distance) and then if I modeled that and drew just the first one or two steps. This helped him get the size off on the right start. He did all the rest. After a few times of this, he needed no help.
I also have really appreciated the assignments that don't have any picture to draw from.
Though he wanted a picture of how exactly his drawings should look, it has also been good for him to do it without a "perfect" model to replicate. He has instead learned to draw upon what he knows from what he has read in history, and put his thoughts to paper. It shows me what he knows. I've learned to accept his drawings, even when they aren't the best. I used to have him do a lot of fixing, and this just made him dislike it more. But over time, he's improved so much in this area.
I just wanted to encourage you that it is worth it to persevere and to try not to compare (my ds has a cousin in the same guide as him that draws exceptionally well). Not everyone has artistic ability, but then art is a form of personal expression. It is a creative outlet that doesn't have one specific necessary outcome. So, keep on encouraging, it is a skill that is worthy of being learned on so many levels! I always think, Wyatt may not be the best artist, but he will have an incredible appreciation for the work and talent that goes into fine art. He will never look at a work of art and think, piece of cake. And in the meantime, his elephants are looking pretty good and definitely the right size.
Oh, and I just remembered this past post I did about "HOD memory lane" reminiscing. I know there's one on here about art...
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HTH!
In Christ,
Julie
. The irony of that thought made me realize I had to back off and come here for help! 