How to teach art at home: A beginners guide for home education parents

Emma Shannon Author

My 5 top tips for a confidence building art curriculum

Many parents who choose home-education want to provide creative art lessons but don’t always know where to start. I will show you just 5 ways you can teach art at home to support your child's creativity and self-expression. Whether you're a home educator looking to enhance your child's art education or a parent wanting to introduce drawing and painting in a fun way, we have your back!

1. Your Beliefs and Values Around Art

Before diving into art lessons, consider what you want your child to gain from art education. Ask yourself:

• Is there such a thing as good art and bad art?
• Is it ok to draw something you don’t like?
• Can everyone draw or do you need to be born with ‘talent’?

I could really talk for hours on this subject! I believe in teaching children that there is no such thing as 'good art' and 'bad art', only art we like and don't like. Everyone likes different art! This is so important if you want children to feel safe to be creative and try out new ideas. I often explain that artists draw things they don’t like all the time. The trick is to work out what you don’t like and change it or start again (this is a skill to practise in itself). Remember just because you don’t like something you have drawn doesn’t mean it is a bad piece of art, it simply means you don’t like it (someone else may love it).

Also if your child hears you say ‘oh I can’t draw a thing…’ or ‘I’m not creative’ it shows them that you believe that only some people can draw and others can’t. They may then draw while continuously judging whether they themselves have this ‘talent’ or not. I would encourage you to draw with your child and say instead ‘I am not always happy with what I draw so I need to change things as I go’. Do not be so hard on yourself. It is more likely a reflection on how you were taught art yourself as a child. Try to be open with expectations rather than a rigid set of skills that you can either achieve or not. You can draw I promise you 😊

2. Practice Skills

Developing fundamental art skills builds confidence and helps children express their ideas more effectively.

I have 2 simple rules for this…

1. Get a sketchbook
2. Draw in it all the time (take it everywhere!)

Art can happen at any time whether you are sat at a desk or out for a walk in the woods. The more a child draws the more comfortable they will be with their mark making. Also practising the art of ‘seeing’ is also important. Is that a curved line or a straight line around that leaf? Which part is darker / lighter?

You can look at the 7 elements of art to help teach skills. These are line, shape, form (3d shape), tone (areas of light and dark), texture (and pattern), colour and space (perspective/overlapping etc). We cover a lot of these skills in our Sketchbook Adventures course which is great to get you started. Otherwise grab an art book to give you ideas and away you go…

3. Allow for Exploration and Risk-Taking

Art should be a space for children to experiment and take risks without fear of failure. Encourage:

• Trying new techniques: Let them explore different tools and materials.
• Making mistakes: Help them see ‘mistakes’ as part of the creative process.
• Creating freely: Give them opportunities to draw or paint without strict guidelines.
• Taking an online class: Join an interactive online art class to guide your child’s learning. (We have an art class for home educated kids of all ages. Click here to find out more)

Risk-taking in art builds problem-solving skills and resilience, qualities that are beneficial beyond art education. Free drawing is so important as children can draw what they feel at the time (also less planning for you). Art education is just as much about your own self-expression as it is a set of rigid skills.

4. Look at Artists to Help Them Decide What They Like

Introducing children to different artists and styles can inspire them and help them find their own artistic voice. Ways to explore artists include:

• Studying current artists as well as famous artists: Learn about the famous artists alongside current artists from all around the world to show children a diverse range of artwork.
• Exploring different art styles: From impressionism to street art, expose them to a variety of artistic expressions.
• Virtual museum tours: Take advantage of online resources to visit galleries worldwide.
• Discussing personal preferences: Ask your child what they like or dislike about certain artworks and why.

Learning about artists encourages children to develop their tastes and artistic influences.

5. Celebrate Art They Are Proud Of

Encouraging children to take pride in their work boosts their confidence and motivation. Try to let go of any 'outcome' you have in mind and allow the child to select pieces they are proud of themselves. Ways to celebrate their art include:

• Displaying their artwork: Hang drawings on the wall or create a home gallery.
• Keeping an art portfolio: Let them collect their favourite pieces over time.
• Sharing with family and friends: Encourage them to showcase their work.

Celebrating their achievements helps children stay engaged and enjoy their creative journey.

Final Thoughts

Art education is an essential part of home learning. By defining your values, encouraging skill-building, allowing exploration, exposing children to different artists, and celebrating their work, you create a well-rounded and enriching art experience. Whether through drawing, painting, sculpture or mixed media, every child can explore their creativity at home. You may also enjoy it too!

Looking for structured art classes? Check out Go Sketch Club for interactive online learning and creative inspiration. Let’s get drawing!