Paint!

School Library Journal

Gr 1-6-- Two contemporary collections of projects designed to teach and amuse. Elements and principles involved in the academics of learning to draw are presented clearly and simply. Information is organized in project form with each lesson in Draw forming a chapter. ``Take a Line for a Walk'' uses everyday objects to illustrate the value of contour. ``Magic Tape'' suggests blocking out areas of a drawing to introduce the concept of foreground/background. Well-photographed props and examples guide young artists through each lesson. A total of ten headings are developed in this manner. Paint, an almost identically formated book, leans on product-oriented projects at the expense of substance. Still, a clear creative presentation of 11 activities will surely entertain. Supplies are inexpensive, easy to find, and readily available. Painting variations include cotton-tip swabs and tempera for pointillism, face painting, and making texture on watercolor with foil or plastic wrap. Readers can expect to find some art discipline language and many ``satisfaction guaranteed'' projects. --Fran Powell, George G. White School, Hillsdale, NJ