Painting at School: A handbook for elementary and secondary education in Waldorf schools by Dick Bruin and Attie Lichthart --- Reviewed by David Kennedy: The beauty of Painting at School is that, like the curriculum in Waldorf schools, it proceeds from the whole to the parts. What is the world of color like for a child? How do children perceive color? How does artistic activity support soul development? How do painting, form drawing, and sculpture act differently on a child? The first two parts of the book, Painting in education and Basic exercises for the teacher, offer a comprehensive overview of painting in Waldorf schools and practical exercises for both new and experienced teachers. There's a chapter for each grade from one to twelve. Much of the material and many of the examples in the younger grades are drawn from the main lesson curriculum. The chapters for seventh to twelfth grade weave in other techniques, including black and white drawing, veil painting, linocut printing, color dynamics and portraiture. The photos of student art are beautiful. Painting at School concludes with a chapter on Color research. Dick and Attie are very experienced painting teachers and have painted for decades with children in Waldorf schools, primarily in Holland. Painting at School has recently been translated into English and published by Waldorf Publications. Anyone who paints with children will find this book inspiring and useful. Heartily recommended. Painting at School is available here.
