YAP IV – Drawing Lab I

In March, April, and May we introduced several different drawing activities. We started with pen and ink which was actually liquid watercolor paint. Liz made pen nibs out of formica tile samples that had been donated and attached them to pencils. We covered the tables with white paper and encouraged children to notice all the different kinds of lines they could make with the different nibs. There were thin nibs and thick nibs and some that made two and three lines at once. Some kids couldn’t believe we wanted them to draw on the tables but then they really got into it. Some just experimented with lines and some made drawings. Grownups loved drawing too.

We also had a few long pens and a piece of paper taped to the floor. One of the museum preparators carved nibs on the end of the long dowels. It was fun to watch how different children moved as they drew with these large pens. Some just stood still and reached out with their arms. Some walked and dragged the pen along behind them. One little girl danced as she drew. The accumulated effect of all the lines and some spills was beautiful and the finished piece is hanging above the sink now and getting lots of compliments.

We also put out trays with salt mixed with powdered tempera paint and lots of wooden tools (forks, knives, salad tongs, combs etc. from my collection) for mark making.

Fingers work too! We offered these throughout the Drawing Lab months.