How can I use drawing to capture the shapes around me? - Continuous Provision

Using drawing as a means to capture the shapes around us can be a fun and engaging activity, especially within a continuous provision setting. To facilitate this, it's essential to provide a variety of drawing materials and surfaces. Different textured papers, such as large rolls for group projects and small-scale papers of various colours and textures, should be readily available. Incorporating shaped paper, like circles or triangles, can inspire children to replicate the shapes they see, drawing curves on circular paper, for example. A large roll of paper laid out in a dedicated space, which can be used over several days and even outdoors in good weather, encourages collaborative and large-scale drawing.

Additionally, exposing children to a range of artists' work can broaden their understanding of how different shapes can be depicted. Introducing them to the works of artists like Wassily Kandinsky for lines and shapes, Paul Klee for his use of shapes, Van Gogh for curves and swirls with textured paint, Yayoi Kusama for her iconic spots, and Mondrian for his geometric lines, can inspire their own creations. Activities can be tailored to mimic these artists' styles using various tools and media, such as brushes, fingers, or cotton buds, and on different canvases ranging from paper to three-dimensional objects like boxes or pumpkins. This approach not only helps children to capture the shapes they see around them but also enhances their artistic skills and appreciation for different art styles.