One hundred and thirty-three preclinical medical students participated in 24 focus groups over the period 2007-2009 at Durham University. Focus groups were conducted to ascertain whether or not medical students found body painting anatomical structures to be an educationally beneficial learning activity. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory…

Young children are experts at make-believe and delight in listening to tales of fantasy and wonder. When the author learned that the second-grade students in her school were studying fairy tales and legends, she took advantage of their natural interests and classroom experiences and introduced them to the magical, dreamlike paintings of Swiss…

This article describes a project with a transformative approach to color theory and still life. Students' use of an arbitrary color scheme can open their eyes, push their creativity and produce exciting paintings. Ordinary still-life objects will be transformed into dramatic, vibrant visuals. The Fauve style of painting is a great art history…

Cephalopods have a visual language that may be considered artful; they flash color-forms on their hides to communicate intents and emotions. Formalist inspired artists and their critic-expositors describe abstract pattern-painting as though it were a visual language equal to that of the cephalopod. In this article, the author argues that although…

The Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS) is a measurement system for applying numbers to global variables in two-dimensional art (drawing and painting). While it was originally developed for use with the single-picture assessment ("Draw a person picking an apple from a tree" [PPAT]), researchers can also apply many of the 14 scales of the…

Incorporate inquiry-based practices into the early childhood classroom or family child care home. Inspired by an approach to teaching and learning born in Reggio Emilia, Italy, this book emphasizes investigation anchored by drawing, painting, and other art activities. It provides advice on setting up a studio space for art and inquiry and fifteen…

Author discusses the work of Edward Hopper, his painting technique, and the feelings evoked by the artist. Included are five examples of his work in black and white. (NP)

The process of making the buffalo hide into the buffalo robe, which was a very important article of clothing to the American Indian, is discussed. (NQ)

Article investigated painting styles and a test devised to explore sensitivity to them. (Author/RK)

Two studies investigated (1) the art preference of young children for realistic, stylized, and abstract styles, and (2) the influence exposure to art had on style preferences. In the first study, 41 preschool children were individually administered an art style preference task comprised of 9 prints, 3 of each style, of well-known paintings. Color…

Examines the distinctions and interrelation of the artist's intentions and the viewers' understanding of a work of art by using the work of Vincent van Gogh and relating it to the artist's correspondence about his own work. (JMF)

Three classes of high school students participated in a four-day unit which focused on the dimensions of color and the psychological impact of color. (Author)

Reports on age differences found in children's (1) ability to execute appropriate differences in the uses of color while completing partially drawn scenes; and (2) sensitivity to differences between heraldic, gradation, harmonic, and pure use of color in a matching task. (GC)

High school art teacher describes a technique for making crazes with oil paints and water on masonite. (GB)