Painting W/Children (New Ed) (P) [Paperback]

Brunhild Muller (Author)

Book Description

'When we paint with colours we should paint in such a way that we are conscious that we are calling forth life from what is dead.' -- Rudolf Steiner A vital factor in a child's development is the stimulation of active imagination and creativity. Here are ideas for encouraging self-expression through watercolour painting. Essentially practical, this book is based on Goethe's colour theory and shows that painting with children is more than just a form of self-expression. Muller encourages and attempts to understand children's fantasies through their artwork. This guide for parents and teachers to painting with watercolours covers preparation, colour-stories and poems, painting moods of nature and the seasons of the year.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"When we paint with colours we should paint in such a way that we are conscious that we are calling forth life from what is dead" Rudolf Steiner

Product Details

• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Floris Books; 4th edition (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0863153666
• ISBN-13: 978-0863153662
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 6.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,620 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #52 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Art > Painting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful introduction to watercolors, March 12, 2005

By 

waldorf_curric - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Painting W/Children (New Ed) (P) (Paperback)

This wonderful book is fundamentally academic (presents research and writings from Rudolf Steiner and Goethe; recommends poetry by Shakespeare and Wordsworth) yet warm and practical.

Brunhild Muller explains first the effect each color has on a child. This is because children experience color in a more vivid and emotional way than many of us. Most adults have lost what they knew about color as children, having been taught that what there is to know about a color is its name and nothing more. The seemingly simple task of preparing to paint is divided into five steps which are discussed in detail; tips for materials are also included. Later chapters give ideas for setting the stage for a painting experience -- such as stories, poetry, seasons, or the moods of nature. Innovative ways to introduce color mixing are also presented.

The entire theory of how children perceive color, and its ramifications for introducing painting, is well expressed. I found this book inspirational and would especially recommend it to any homeschooling parent.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as Helpful as I'd Hoped, June 9, 2009

By 

Rachel at EuphoriaBaby.com "Mom & Blogger" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Painting W/Children (New Ed) (P) (Paperback)

When I was new to Waldorf, wet watercolor painting was one of the first practices I added to our family life. I bought this book as it is recommended by just about everyone in Waldorf. I was surprised by how incredibly short it is! The how-to section is NOT more detailed that what you can access for free online on various waldorf sites. I was able to correct some problems with my technique by trial and error and by asking questions on various yahoo groups, instead.

In my opinion this book's main contributions are showing color paintings created by children at various ages and including a very short collection of some nice seasonal poems that can inspire one's painting. Really, not as helpful as I had hoped!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars and I thought I knew it all when it came to painting..., April 27, 2010

By 

BadBoydz "Overproducktion" (Graham, WA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Painting W/Children (New Ed) (P) (Paperback)

As a Waldorfish homeschool mama to 6, I saw no reason to buy this book. We paint with watercolors all the time! Really, what more could I learn about painting? This book always came across my search for other Waldorf curriculum, but I didn't pay it any mind. Well, I was wrong. Last year, I saw it at a friend's house and looked through it. I was surprised at what I "wasn't" doing during out painting time! The introduction to colors and the stories was very neat to read about. I went back to the basics with my 3 youngest and changed the older kids projects. I did end up buying the book to have a copy at home. I prefer having a book as to trying to bookmark websites or printing endless pages that I will misplace or have the little ones color all over.