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October 5, 2009 by: Cindy

Dover Art Cards

Before Barb posted her wonderful review about Dover art cards back in July, I had the same topic on my list of products I wanted to write about.  I considered changing my planned review, but decided if the cards are good enough for two of us to review, then everyone needs to know that!  And they are!

Unfortunately, I’m fairly new to the cards, so I don’t have all the creative ideas laid out (yet) like Barb suggests, but they have already come in quite handy for artist study!

In our home, we choose to study one artist per month through the school year.  Once per week during that month, we observe the artist’s work, read books about his or her life, and try our hand at creating our own pieces in the style of the artist.  Each week, we choose one painting (or other work) to focus on for in-depth study.

Before I found the Dover art cards, we would look at the chosen works on the internet or in a book that I checked out from the library.  This worked well for us (and still does when I don’t have the particular art card I want), but having the art cards has really improved the learning and the presentation.

My children can get their hands on the sturdy, postcard-sized reproductions to observe up-close.  They’re able to prop the postcard up in front of them as they attempt to recreate the painting.  They’re able to sort the cards in order from first productions to last, either within one artist’s collection, or among many artists.  They have also been known to sort the cards based on characteristics like “impressionist”, “bright”, “dreary”, “moving” – whatever suits their fancy.

As the mom and teacher, I’ve been able to set up little artist centers to display art work, library books and art supplies that I want my children to gravitate toward.  These centers allow me to secretly direct the learning by offering enchanting little spots for my children to dive into the artist themselves.

Dover offers a bunch of art card books, most having around 24 cards and priced between $5.95 and $6.95 per book.  The cards come four per page and are perforated to tear apart easily.  Printed on a thick cardstock, the front of each card shows the painting with a glossy coating.  The back of each card gives basic information about the art including the artist, title, year of production and art medium used to create the work.

I ought to mention that you will occasionally come across a nude or two in the books.  I simply tear the pictures from the books and file them away in a baggie until I need them, allowing me to discard any that aren’t suitable.

I’d love to hear how you use your art cards!

-Written by Cindy, eclectically Charlotte Mason mom of 3.  You can find her blogging at Our Journey Westward and Shining Dawn Books.

Cindy (94 Posts)

The biggest reason Cindy chose to homeschool was because she loves experiencing life with her children and watching them grow inside and out. She's sure that’s why the Charlotte Mason method first caught her attention. It allows her to be creative in scheduling, rigorous in learning, yet opens the door for plenty of close-knit time, opportunities for her children to explore their interests and offers enough free time for them to be children. She implements many of Charlotte Mason's methods with an eclectic twist of things that work for her family! At Cindy's website, Our Journey Westward, you will find a blog packed with fun learning ideas and a shop full of creative curriculum, including the NaturExplorers studies.

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Comments

  1. Brenda Sain says

    October 5, 2009 at 11:34 am

    I have stacks of art postcard books that I found at a local bookstore, but am now thinking of getting some Dover collections like the 20th Century and Impressionists. I like that those have a variety within the era. I bought mini easels at IKEA (1.99 ea) and we put the postcards on the easels to display on a shelf. It’s fun to get out the past used postcards and have them remember who painted what, and how they could tell.

    They come in handy to grab when talking about line, space, color, depth, texture, composition etc…I recommend keeping a variety to compare against each other, because younger children may have a hard time distinguishing between different impressionists, but if you throw in some abstract work, they’ll be able to spot impressionists more readily.
    .-= Brenda Sain´s last blog ..Reading Assignment Chart =-.

    Reply
  2. Cindy says

    October 5, 2009 at 4:38 pm

    Love these ideas, Brenda! I’m going to keep my eyes open for mini-easels – it would make displaying cards SO much easier!
    .-= Cindy´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net =-.

    Reply
  3. [email protected] says

    October 5, 2009 at 4:41 pm

    I love having art that my kids can actually handle! These are great ideas. Thanks!
    .-= [email protected]´s last blog ..Menu Plan Monday – October 5, 2009 =-.

    Reply
  4. Cindy says

    October 5, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    Me, too, Marci! I’m always on the lookout for hands-on *anything*!
    .-= Cindy´s last blog ..Threadless Tshirt Giveaway at jaypeeonline.net =-.

    Reply
  5. Barb-Harmony Art Mom says

    October 13, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    These are some of my favorite tools for artist study. It is sort of embarrassing how many sets I have but we really do use them all the time. 🙂

    Many of my sets have been through lots of little hands during the days I taught art to groups of homeschoolers and they still look great.

    Thanks for the additional review and ideas!
    Barb

    Reply

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