I believe art is a valuable course of study for our children as it brings beauty and appreciation of the world to our children. (It is also a required subject for students if you are homeschooling here in Ohio.) If you think you have to be an artist in order to teach it, or that your children have to create a finished product, let me assure you that needn’t be the case. Studying paintings and artists can be done without creating anything, but I think it would be fun and children make better connections to the subject if this is incorporated into your studies.

A great series to introduce students to the concept of focusing on paintings is a series called Come Look with Me.There are 12 books in the series at present and each book has a painting that your student observes carefully, information about each artist and painting, and questions to discuss concerning each picture. There are no right or wrong answers since the purpose of the questions is to get children to go beyond glancing at a painting. The great thing is that young and old will enjoy these books!

Come Look with Me: World of Play, Gladys Blizzard

Come Look With Me: Enjoying Art with Children, Gladys Blizzard

 

 

 

 

 

I have found some amazing resources to help you if you are interested in pursuing picture and artist studies further. I have included some do-it-yourself studies as well as commercial packages that have everything ready to go for you.

The first one is a blog called Artist Study– Charlotte Mason Style with a tremendous amount of resources that will help you to learn more in detail about artist studies. There are many downloadable forms, book recommendations, and activities. Grades K-12.

Picture Study Portfolios is a portfolio of laminated cards of various artists with information and questions that accompany each work of art. It is designed for students K-12. This includes more than just paintings, which I like.

After you have studied some of these great paintings and learned about the artists, why not go to local art museums? Found below are a few that are within driving distance of the Cincinnati area. Don’t live in the area? Please leave a comment if you have a museum recommendation since some of us may get the opportunity to visit or another reader lives near you who would benefit from your recommendation.

Cincinnati Art Museum  Admission: FREE 🙂 Hours: Monday CLOSED Tues- Sun. 11:00 AM – 5:00PM Map and Directions

Taft Museum of Art FREE  SUNDAY Admission Hours: Monday CLOSED Tues- Sun. 11:00 AM – 5:00PM Map and Directions

Dayton Art Institute  Admission: FREE for students, $8.00 adults, $5.00 for groups and senior citizens Map and Directions

REGULAR MUSEUM HOURS
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	Closed
Wednesday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday	10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m
Sunday	Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Columbus Museum of Art Admission: FREE  on SUNDAY, $10.00 adults, $5.00 for students 6-17  $8.00 for senior citizens 60+ and students 18+ with ID Map and Directions Click on Visiting

Indianapolis Museum of Art  Admission: FREE Map and Directions

Tuesday – 11 am to 5 pm
Wednesday – 11 am to 5 pm
Thursday – 11 am to 9 pm
Friday – 11 am to 9 pm
Saturday – 11 am to 5 pm
Sunday – noon to 5 pm
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Speed Museum of Art, Louisville, Kentucky  Admission: $10.00 Adult, $8.00Senior (65+),  $5.00 Child 3-17,Free for Child under 3

Wednesday	10a to 5p
Thursday	10a to 5p
Friday	10a to 9p
Saturday	10a to 5p
Sunday	12p to 5p
Monday	closed
Tuesday	closed

Be sure to take a journal, a pencil and some colored pencils with you to draw a favorite painting. Have a great time!