Any interesting ideas for a very artistic Tween...

[5lilfish]

My 12 year old is extremely into drawing and she has some definite natural talent. I'd love to encourage it and I was wondering if anyone has any ideas...online programs, classes, contests, etc. I say contests because with artistic interests I'm finding there isn't as big of an opportunity to shine (like in sports). I'd just like to encourage her to use her interests to be involved (since drawing is more solitary) and maybe to get a little self esteem boost (not that she has any problems with this, but who wouldn't want to get some positive feedback).

Thanks,
Jess

 

[luvsJack]

My 10 year old granddaughter is taking an art class. She is really enjoying it. Its at a small art studio close by (its locally owned). They do extra classes on the weekends too--one day classes were the piece is finished in that one day. The biggest plus is that its giving her the ability to make friends with the same interests as she has.

When I was that age, the local university did art classes like that too. So that may be another outlet to look into. They would have the classes at night and for mixed ages so that was the only thing. Classmates may be the same age or 50 years older. It was fun though.

 

[fly girl]

My 11 year daughter loves Art. She is in the Art Club after school. This summer, one of the local museums had an Art Camp she attended. She said she wants to go again next year. (Just an idea to think of for next summer, or maybe a weekend art class during the school year.)

Also look for local art contests. DD won runner up for a contest about how to get out of your house during a fire. The winner won their art on a city bus. She also did another contest for our sanitation district, about littering. Both were through her school, but I am sure you can find out information through your local counties website, or even local facebook pages.

I just received an email last week from Artsonia (dd's art teacher puts all the projects on their website) and they have a YouTube channel for online Art Club. Here's a link if you want to check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/user/artsonia

 

[PollyannaMom]

Google Doodle has a kids' contest every year. The prize is a scholarship for the individual kid and a technology grant for their school!

https://doodles.google.com/d4g/

 

[KeishaMacaw]

In addition to providing her with lots of basic art supplies, if you can, get her an iPad, ipencil, and the Procreate app. The possibilities are endless. Not only will she improve her artistic skills, but she will also learn to integrate her talents with today’s technology. Procreate is pretty simple and could lead to an interest in Adobe Illustrator, photoshop.....etc. Check out Procreate tutorials on YouTube to get an idea of what you can do. I would have LOVED it at her age.

 

[DuskKodesh]

If she's doing digital then I highly suggest looking at Wacom tablets. They range from 60$ starter ones to quite pricey professional models but are just about what everyone I know uses anymore. (I commission a lot of art). If she prefers physical media my absolute favorite supplies are Copic liners/markers or Faber Castell liners and pens. Both those brands are super nice and they make full or miniature sets in a variety of prices.

 

[5lilfish]

Thanks, All.... We got both girls tablets with drawing software for their birthday. They got Copic Markers and artist colored pencils for Christmas. It was the 2nd year they had asked for the markers and I broke down....can't believe that I spent over $70 on markers (but at least with twins that's only $35 each...lol). I'll look into the universities this summer....and the other links you all shared.

 

[longboard55]

My daughter is the artist , super talented. Killing it now in a major fashion retailer as a style developer , does a lot of disney apparel. We got her an embroidery machine a while ago and she did some really great work, sold it online and had a big following

 

[NYCgrrl]

Adding to sources: museums, both art and natural history; historical societies, art supply stores, art student associations.
Many online courses available from well regarded institutions such as MOMA, Coursea, and the Smithsonian. Some are free and others are not.

HTH

 

[bjscheel]

DD20 entered art in open class in our county fair and did well. Bigger online contests were just a disappointment (like the Doodle for Google mentioned above she worked so hard on but they have to choose so many from each age group and for our state the winner was a Kindergartner). Local is best. Our school has a student publication you can submit work to, you could see if yours does. This summer our town had an art camp that DD led- it was all tween girls Their art was on display for a month in our cultural center.

DD has an Instagram account and a Facebook page for her art and follows other artists for inspiration. The main reason she wanted a FB account as a tween was to share art with family. It is a good place to get positive feedback. On IG she has done things like have followers comment and she picked one to draw. I think you're supposed to be 13 to be on those but up to you...

She really blossomed when she got Prismacolor colored pencils and started watching Youtube videos to learn how to use them. She has spent a lot of time lately looking through all her sketchbooks and seeing her progression. Her advice is to just keep drawing!

 

[smiths02]

My son took a community college course one summer. It was designed as a recreational course. Several places in the area do summer camps/classes in art (art studios and the local rec center)

 

[moniqueand2]

When she gets into High School more opportunities will present themselves. Like High School Art Club. Or be on the look out for participation in Theatre, making sets, etc.

 

[Kennywood]

Here's an "out-of-left-field" suggestion - take her to a comic book convention. The Wizard World web site would be able to show you any shows that might be nearby.

I'm not suggesting that your daughter start drawing super heroes, if that's not something in which she's interested. I suggest a comic book convention because there is usually a rather large section set aside for artists. While your daughter might not be interested in super heroes, she might enjoy visiting the various artists that are there. The artists have a wide range of styles, which might interest your daughter. She could talk with some of the artists and perhaps show them some of her work. The artists love interacting with people like your daughter and would be able to offer her advise and suggestions she might not otherwise have considered.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We are fortunate to have several fine art supply stores in our location that go further than the Michael's and Hobby Lobbies one can find at local malls.

That being said some of our favorites are gone now so when we go to Philly a stop at Blick's is always in order. You can order online but I prefer to feel certain items like brushes and paper stock when possible. Temperas, pastels and pencils in different levels of density, high quality water colors and even paint in different mediums made to order. You can also purchase silk dyes which can be used on paper as well as fabric.
Love that place; DGD and I can easily spend several hours there.

@bjscheel it's NOT nice of you to discuss a new to me product. Now I'll have to find out what Prismacolor products are all about. GRRRRR.

 

[Imzadi]

That being said some of our favorites are gone now so when we go to Philly a stop at Blick's is always in order.

We have 2 DickBlicks in NYC. One on 6th Ave near 22nd St and one down in SOHO.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

IN NY we are lucky to have an amazing Art Student League where my daughter was able to study quite a bit. Also at two museums we found very instructive classes for her and her sister. might want to see if there are similar near you.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We have 2 DickBlicks in NYC. One on 6th Ave near 22nd St and one down in SOHO.

Hush! I know that and am not telling the man. Any reason to visit Philly is good by me ( insert lil devil emoticon here). To be honest my easiest to reach shops were Pearl's ( 4 or 5 stories of goodness!) on Canal and Lee's on 57th. I sooo miss them.

@Cogswel_Cogs One of my sons used to take classes at the one on 57th Street. That street has changed so much.

 

[usshelena725]

Most community colleges and state universities will allow children to audit college classes for free, so long as they are not receiving any college credit for the course. Look into a few of these and see if there are some nice art classes she can be a part of. I think she will really enjoy them. Many are in the evenings as well.

 

[tazdev3225]

My oldest granddaughter has always been into art and is incredibly talented. We are lucky that in Philadelphia there are 2 high schools devoted to the arts and she was selected to attend one after her audition. Last year as a 9th grade freshman she was one of 9 chosen for the fall art exhibit. This year on top of drawing she is taking photography. I have one of her pieces from the Spring Exhibit framed in my living room.

We encouraged her talent by getting her nothing but art supplies for birthdays and Christmases. There was a community arts program that she also went to until it lost its funding and closed. She would also look on you tube for ideas and techniques. Encourage her and get her supplies. It can get a little expensive at first since some of the supplies can be costly. Look for sales. AC Moore always has some good sales on art supplies especially around the holidays.

 

[LSUmiss]

Does her school have a talented art program? Our state has talented arts programs for k-12. They have to be evaluated & it falls under the SPED umbrella.