Waldorf Form Drawing: My child wants to turn all their form drawings into pictures - is this ok?
Waldorf form drawing is a subject that requires regular practice. This can mean drawing on a chalkboard, on the sidewalk, in sand, or on paper!
Form drawing can be an inspirations for all kinds of creative illustrations!
The activity of drawing forms generates a portfolio of practice and more finished forms, from running forms in first grade, all the way up to woven forms in fourth grade.
As the educator presents these forms through imagination and stories, children tend to see forms as great potential for drawings and unique artwork. The running form could be a slithering snake; mirror forms are a butterfly in progress; the vertical line form is an unfinished fence for sheep. The possibilities for drawings made from form drawings are endless!
Should children take their forms and turn them into drawings? Is it part of the form drawing experience? These are great questions to consider!
The short answer: yes, it is perfectly fine for a child to turn their form drawings into unique and artistic pictures, however, this activity is separate from what form drawing brings to a child’s development and educational experience.
Form drawing and drawing pictures from forms are two separate processes, and it is important for the educator to keep them independent of each other.
Be sure to keep the form drawing practice as a stand-alone activity.
Take the time to fully introduce the form through story or image. Practice forms in a rhythmical, regular way, and remember that practice is by far the most important process of the form drawing. Hold the thread of the intentional practice to the end, so that the child can fully experience the form and all that it is meant to bring to their developmental growth.
When that process is fully complete, and the particular form has been put to rest, it is then a wonderful activity to take the forms and use them as the foundations to imaginative artwork.
Practice, enjoy, and create!
About the Authors
Robyn Beaufoy is Waldorfish’s CEO, and also a course instructor for Simple Season (coming soon!), Waldorf Art for Beginners, and Weekly Art Foundations. You’ll find her intuitive touches and influences throughout everything Waldorfish offers! Robyn has been in the world of education for over 25 years, with an MA in Education and a certification in Waldorf teaching - she also homeschooled both of her children for some of that time. In 2012 Robyn co-founded Waldorfish.com, creating it with the vision of making Waldorf inspired-art and pedagogy more accessible, joyful, and doable for homeschoolers all over the world.
Caitlin Amajor is Waldorfish’s course instructor for Geometry grades 5 & 6, and Botany, as well as our Administrative Assistant. From a young age, Caitlin has been immersed in Waldorf education, attending a Waldorf school from K-8. After receiving a BA in History, Caitlin gained her certification in Waldorf teaching, and spent seven years as a Waldorf class teacher in the upper grades. With a special fondness for watercolor painting and geometry, Caitlin loves bringing Waldorf education to her students all over the world, and seeing their own individuality and style bloom from the curriculum!