The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-05-31
ART FOR THE LITTLE ONES.
Japanese Method of Instruction Is One
of the Best.

Il think" said a well-kuown artist
in hearing of \. Y. Tribune reporter,
"that there are several ways that it
might be well TO try with young chill
dren in an effort 10 develop the artistic
instinct in the right direction. / am
inclined to believe that the japanese
method is one Of the best
What is that?" inquired the mother
of family who was listening eagerly
to the words Of wisdom from such an
acknowledged authority.
Their aim," continued the master.
ais 10 cultivate memory, rapidity of
execution, and observation; for this
purpose in their drawing classes they
put an object before their pupils, tell
them to examine it carefully, and then
take it entirelT away, leaving the stu
dents TO draw it from memory only.
The results from this training, | am
told, are exceedingly surprising. Not
that | would have this the only teach
ing" he continued, after moments
pause. Il would also encourage draw
ing from every object about the room.
and | should allow colored pencils and
paint, for, after all, nothing is in black
and white really, rything has
color
How about tracing, Mr-?7 said
materfamilias, Il once heard it very
highly recommended for very young
children"
with good outlines l should say it
would be an excellent exercise" an
swered the artist. land the japanese
idea might also be connected with it.
That is, after the tracing has been
done, take the model away and let the
child do the same thing over from
memory.
Il have an idea" said 4 theoretical
young person who was present, that
it would also be Il good plan to teach
children the theory of motion-it
would be sure to interest them. For
instance, the teacher might give them
states with horizontal and vertical
| lines and then stand herself at a black
board similarly marked out and draw
figures walking, figures running, fig:
ures carrying weights or dragging
weights, etc. The children could copy
the positions on their states while the
teacher explains the principle"
Capital, capital" approved the mas
ter. All that would be excellent, and
YOU could take no better book for the
purpose than 'FlaXman's Outlines
which gives nearly all of those pos
lures"
Il am rather surprised. Mr.. -"
said the mother ito hear you advo-
cate such very liberal methods; had
an idea that all artists insisted that
beginners should draw only from
casts. and that their imagination
should be kept in check as much as
possible. | can not tell you how you
comfort me, for find that my children
get deadly tired of this dry-as-dust
work, and that their natural love of
drawing entirely disappears when the
! teaching is so mOnotOnous."
81 am speaking more for younger
| children" answered the artist, al
| though | believe that the same princi-
| pie introduced somewhat into regular
art teaching would be well. But there
is always one thing that surprises me
about people who wish their children
| to study art: they expect results so
soon. In no other study would they
dream of looking for any particular
| development for years to come; but in
art they look for pictures almost at
once. Why, they might rs well ex-
! pect that young person could COM
pose a sonata after q couple of years
| instruction on the piano. Ii is quite
marvellous to see the Ignorance dis
played on this point by really intelli-
! Upni npODle