Why Should Your Child Copy Art?

​

As an artist and art teacher, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had moms question me about copying artwork.
​

The Masterpiece Society has even been accused of being nothing more than “paint-by-numbers” projects because we offer templates for kids who aren’t confident in their drawing skills. (Whatev!) 🙄🤣
​

Some moms think their children shouldn’t copy, but should instead have an open-ended art project that should be ALL about the child expressing him- or herself.
​

And they are right…
​

And at the same time, they’re wrong (okay, maybe I should say “less right”). 😉
​

Let me explain…
​

How can a child or teen truly express themselves if they’ve never been trained in the fundamentals?
​

Most people can’t sit down at a grand piano and express what’s in their heart and soul if they have never learned music theory, where to position their fingers, or practiced their scales and arpeggios on a regular basis.
​

I mean, can you imagine what their “expression” might sound like? (Yikes!)
​

In the same way, a kid or teen trying to express his or her feelings through art without learning the basics of drawing or painting will only end up frustrated or feeling like they aren’t creative at all.
​

Even Pablo Picasso said, “Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.”​
​

Think about this: In just about every gallery and art museum in the world, you come across artists, both amateur and professional, who copy masterpieces in order to become better artists themselves.
​

There is nothing new or strange about this.
​

• Raphael studied by copying the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Have you seen Raphael’s Mona Lisa?
• Degas copied Rembrandt, Giotto, Bellini, Ingres, and more.
• Van Gogh copied Rembrandt, Millet, and the Impressionists.
  ​

I’ve been to the Louvre in Paris and seen Edouard Manet’s painting of The Madonna of the Rabbit side by side with Titian’s of the same name. Titian painted it in 1530, whereas Manet painted his piece over 300 years later, between 1850 to 1860.

​

​

(Above left, Titian’s Madonna of the Rabbit; above right, Manet’s Madonna of the Rabbit, after Titian.)
​

This is what it says on the plaque at the Louvre:
​

“Bequeathed to the museum in 2017, this copy of the Madonna of the Rabbit was probably painted in front of the original at the Louvre. Studying Titian was an essential part of Manet’s artistic training. He drew inspiration from this composition to paint his famous Luncheon on the Grass (1862), held by the Musee d’Orsay in Paris.”​
​

And if you know anything about Manet, you know that the Paris Salon’s reaction to the Luncheon on the Grass forever changed his life and sent the entire art establishment of the day in an uproar! This painting was pivotal in bringing about Impressionism.
​

Maybe your kids don’t aspire to be like Titian or Rembrandt or Monet or Picasso, but copying one or two of their paintings is one of the best ways for them to form connections with them.
​

Once kids and teens are familiar with some of the styles and techniques of the masters, then they are much better equipped to begin trying cool techniques in their own style and begin to express themselves through their own art.
​
The point is not only to learn about the techniques the artists used, but to also try out the techniques (impasto, tache, alla prima, chiaroscuro, pointillism, etc.) for themselves. To understand what they did and how they did it, and maybe even why they did it that way.
​

Why did the Impressionists paint with impasto, tache, and alla prima?
​

Because they were trying to capture a fleeting moment in time. They didn’t have time to mix colors on palettes in the studio. These specific techniques helped them make quick, colorful paintings out of doors that gave an impression of that sliver of time.
​

So, I strongly encourage you to allow your kids and teens to copy art while they are learning. Let them use templates until they are confident in their own drawing skills.
​

Help them to see the importance of learning techniques and theory (just like in music).
​

Then, when they want to experiment with various styles and techniques, and express themselves in their own ways, they will have the skills to do so.
​

This is THE best way for your kids and teens to be able to take advantage of all the benefits of art expression. And a super FUN way to learn from other artists!

P.S. Grab this month's creativity prompts here. ​

P. P.S. Know someone who would love this? Please pass it along. Did a friend share this with you? Get it in your own inbox here.​

​