Workshops

 

 

YOU CAN NOW TAKE A VISUAL MANNA WRITING A BOOK WORKSHOP AT HOME OR AS A GROUP AT YOUR LOCAL COMPUTER CENTER VIA THE INTERNET!!!

WE ALSO PROVIDE ART WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN DURING CONVENTIONS!  In 2008 we did the Arkansas State Convention for the fifth year in a row.  We did the New Jersey State Convention for the second year and we did the Iowa State Convention for the first year!  We love it and it is a wonderful opportunity for first class art education classes for all age students, along with training teenagers and giving credit to teacher assistants. 


Email us at visualmanna@gmail.com or call us at 1-888-2757309 for more information. 

"Thank you so much for blessing our family through your classes. All our children have learned so much! They come home from class and continue to draw!    Homeschool Mom

Thank you for the wonderful art seminar you gave our group Monday. Parents continue to make positive coments about the way in which you coduct your seminars, the children love it. It was such a privilege to meet you folks; you and your curriculum have truly been a blessing in my life."
~ Sheryl Long



"The word here is 'it was perfect!' I asked the boys if there was anything they thought could be different and that was their response. I want to thank you for setting up the seminar. My oldest son had participated in an earlier Visual Manna Seminar and I had hoped the last couple of years they would come to our area again. The age ranges were excellent for our family, it's not often that both boys get to enjoy a class together. Thanks again."
~ Janice

"I was going to email you and tell you how much our two enjoyed the day! Big smiles and lots of information shared with the new people they met. We were hoping there would be additional classes during the year. As far as the age divisions, our two are so close together they will probably always be together---both a blessing and a bane???? The length was great ---for me at least. I was able to get a ton of stuff done. Thanks for organizing this. We all really enjoyed the day".
~ Mary

You can schedule an art workshop and get your own children in free! Workshops are 6 hours long for older students and 2 for younger students. Cost is $30.00 for the day and $15.00 for a half day. Family discounts are available. Scroll down to the bottom for more information

ON HOW TO ORGANIZE A WORKSHOP!!!!

 

New workshops are as follows:

Visual Manna will be giving a graphic art computer workshop on how to
use desktop publishing programs, graphic art programs, photography/art, etc.  Students receive free open source software
worth over $2000.00.  They learn how to write a book on Scribus, how to manipulate pictures, how to put images into their book.  How to draw on the computer and make a graphic work of art is included. Information on public domain art and copyright is given.  Cost is
$30.00 for workshop given from 9:00 to 3:00.  Students need to bring a
lunch.  They will bring home their own newsletter or writing on CD
plus the free software.

Teaching Math Through Art

Students do a flip book, design and build their dream house to mathmatical proportions, make an accordian metamorphosis picture and learn to do fractions as they learn origami. They play a guessing game learning estimation and they learn how to do a grid.  Finally we do a beautiful fractal and design a kaleidoscope  design.  Cost is $30.00 for the day.  Family discounts available. 

These workshops are modified for younger students. 

Workshops for Younger Students

Narnia Workshop Students ages 4-8
Lesson one is making a lion in the foreground with warm colors and a castle in the background in cool colors.  Children learn basic shape recognition, vocabulary of the arts, and enhance fine motor skills with each lesson.  We will learn hot and cool colors and texture.  We will make a room with an open wardrobe (precut) going into Narnia.  We learn how to draw the lamp post and learn about patterns, etc.  We will then make a forest and make talking trees with the door coming open at the bottom of the tree. Finally, we will sculpt characters out of clay. We will learn how to make a map of Narnia.  Cost is $15.00 for the first child in the family and $12.00 for each additional child.  All supplies included.

Younger students/Geography

We start off learning basic shapes and drawing a nutcracker!

Project one is to look at a Japanese scroll.  We create a Japanese landscape scroll with a bonsai tree, a pagoda, a dragon, and a crane.

Project two is a mountain landscape with animals in the foreground and a precut picture of William Penn making peace with the Indians in the background.  We talk about “The Peaceable Kingdom” by Hicks. Children draw animals using basic shapes.
 
Project three is an under the ocean picture where you can see the horizon line and students can put a boat at the top of the picture on the ocean and create an ocean floor picture similar to the work of Nelson, the father of Marine art. We also look at works by Winslow Homer.

Project four is a desert landscape.  We talk about Remington and Russell and how they pictured the west and we create a desert habitat. We learn about foreground and background.

Project five is sculpting an animal of the desert.  Students learn how to make a coiled snake and a lizard and a desert flower.  Cost is $15.00 for a half day.  All supplies included. 

Artsy Animals Party Workshops in various habitats. 

Children do a picture where they learn rhyming, master works of art about animals, cutting and pasting techniques, and a variety of fine motor activities.  These workshops includes some science, drama, music, and literature. Cost is $20.00 per half day. 

 

 

Basic Art Seminar
We look at master works of art and do five complete art lessons using oil pastels, markers, dauber paints, scissors, glue, etc. Students learn the basics of color theory, drawing using geometric shapes, foreground and background, and how to portray expressions.  Master works of art by Matisse, Bierdstadt, Miller, Audubon and Rembrandt.

CONTACT US ABOUT OTHER AVAILABLE WORKSHOPS FOR LITTLE ONES, INCLUDING ARTSY ANIMAL WORKSHOPS.



 FOR OLDER STUDENT WORKSHOPS, WE TRY TO INTRODUCE ALL THE PROJECTS AND PROVIDE HANDOUTS STUDENTS CAN TAKE HOME AND WORK ON! STUDENTS NEED TO BRING MARKERS AND COLORED PENCILS. EVERYTHING ELSE IS PROVIDED. WE ALSO PROVIDE PORTFOLIO EVALUATIONS.

Narnia for Older Students
Lesson one is using shading, shadow and texture training to make a lion head in pencil and willow charcoal on very large paper. We talk about Expressionism and how to make the lion look sad or angry.   We will also do a lion's body with colors and flowers (warm colors) in the foreground and winter (cool colors) in the background. We learn how to make a lion’s head or castle out of clay. Lesson three is learning one point perspective to make a room with a wardrobe in the center and two point perspective making an ancient stone castle and knight in full armor, talking about the armor of God. We will build a three dimensional throne for a certain king or queen. We will also do the beavers and the beaver’s house and trees. Cost of the workshop is $25.00 for the first child in a family and $23.00 for each additional child.

Geography through Art
In this workshop, we start by making a picture of the earth on black paper with colored chalk. We discuss Gerardus Mercator and the art of map making. Students look at old maps and then make their own map and parchment paper.  We draw different geological terms on the map (such as a reef).  We take a quick trip around the world doing art projects from all corners. We talk about art of the Orient and make a Chinese scroll using tube watercolors. We learn about pagodas, Bonsai Trees, Koi, etc. Students learn some additional water color techniques, as well. Next, we talk about famous buildings in Europe and elements of architecture.  Students draw the Eiffel Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa while learning about architecture in Europe. We then sculpt the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
We learn one point perspective while drawing bridges from around the world.
We learn about animals in the ocean by doing a canvas painting of an underwater scene.We look at master artists Winslow Homer, Nelson and Miller.


Students coil build a vase or cup and turn it into an animals in a step by step process. Look at Michaelangelo’s master sculpture “The Pieta.”


Georgia O’Keefe and Remington are the artists we look at as we create a close up of an animals of the desert.  We will do a close up of a desert lizard beside a cactus.  Cost is $25.00 for the day.




Discovering Lewis and Clark

This is offered for older and younger students.
We begin by looking at the work of American landscape artist Albert Bierstadt and constructing a log cabin landscape to represent Ft. Mandan where Lewis and Clark wintered with the American Indians. Selected projects will focus on the animals discovered by Lewis and Clark. We will also work with a sculpting medium. Students will gain an understanding of the basics of art including use of line, shape, color, dimension, and perspective.





All About Animals

This workshop is also for older and younger students.
This workshop explores different animals in their natural habitats, such as a animals of the desert, animals around the house, animals in the zoo, animals in the rain forest,  and creatures of the sea. Students will learn the technique of drawing using geometric shapes, the basics of color theory, the use of composition, and the meaning of positive and negative space in art while looking at master art work.  

 

Learning about Your State
This workshop begins with students creating a travel poster about their state. We will discuss the work of Audobon, the great bird artist, and learn to draw and sculpt the state bird. We also make a picture of the state flower or tree and complete additional projects that relate directly to your particular state. Students will learn the fundamentals of drawing, color, and dimension.


PARENTS ARE VERY WELCOME TO BE A PART OF OUR OLDER STUDENT WORKSHOPS.  THEY CAN REGISTER AND TALK THE CLASS WITH THEIR CHILDREN. 

Basic Art Seminar I
In this basic art workshop we start with drawing and sketching. We do a presentation of art history using master works of art.  We teach outline, shading, shadow, texture, scale, center of interest, perspective, props, and setting with a complete project combining all these elements. Students learn how to draw a face and do a portrait. Next we teach one and two point perspective. After our lunch break, we show students how to reproduce a picture. We do this by demonstrating techniques such as the use of basic shapes, proportions and informal and formal grids. We explain how to make a picture using colored art chalk pastels and detailing with charcoal pencils. We also show students how to use oil pastels. Students then use all of their newly acquired skills to create their own compositions. They will produce two complete original compositions. Finally, the students experiment with a sculpting medium and make a sculpture.

 

Basic Art Seminar II
This workshop covers one, two and three point perspective, drawing landscapes, still life, drawing cloth, cartooning and graphic design. We use drawing pencils, charcoal pencils and drawing pens. This workshop is for advanced art students only. Students must have completed the Basic Art Seminar I prior to attending this workshop. COST IS 40.00 PER STUDENT. BOOK IS INCLUDED.

 

Basic Color Seminar
This workshop begins with the basics of shading, shadow, and texture. The student first draws a picture in black and white. This is followed by a short lecture on color theory and the color wheel. The students then do a monochromatic picture. We demonstrate how to use light and darkness to define objects. Using complementary colors, students draw a still life of fruit. Next, students take a picture of their choice and make it into a color wheel using oil pastels. After our lunch break, we begin painting on canvas. First a presentation is given on how to get a picture onto the canvas. After their canvas painting is completed, students are given a water color demonstration and then have the opportunity to produce their own watercolor. We use tube watercolors on high quality paper. Master artists, Monet, Vermeer, Bingham, Rembrandt, etc are discussed. 

 

THIS WORKSHOP CAN BE FOR OLDER AND YOUNGER STUDENTS.

Science through Art
We begin with a lesson on astronomy and we do a solar system picture, learning how to shade and color the planets on black paper. We talk about zoology and make a metamorphosis picture of a caterpillar to a butterfly, or a tadpole to a frog showing pictures by Escher.  Students draw a bear in his natural habitat in one dimension, and then sculpt it in three dimensions. After a discussion on the science of botany, students draw plants and flowers. Finally, we learn about flight, and design and build a flying machine. 35.00 THIS INCLUDES BOOK.

 

Ancient History through Art
This workshop begins with a lesson about shading, shadow, texture, perspective, props, etc., during which students create an animal of their own design. The next lesson explores Noah’s ark and the color wheel. Students learn how to draw the ark in one point perspective, and blending colors in a rainbow. This is followed by cave paintings on sandpaper. Making a clay tablet, we discuss the invention of writing. We then make a heavy bronze foil two dimensional art form as we discuss the Bronze Age. We then talk about Egyptian orthostats, and make a necklace. After the lunch break, we learn about ancient Greek pottery, and paint on a curved surface. Students also make a mosaic or fresco. Finally, we learn to draw Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns and end the workshop drawing the Parthenon in two point perspective. 40.00 WORKSHOP INCLUDES BOOK.

 

American History through Art I
We begin this workshop by looking at the works of great early American portrait artists, and then draw a structured portrait of George Washington on black paper using colored chalks and charcoal pencils. We look at pictures of John James Audubon’s work and draw a bird picture using oil pastels. After looking at pictures by Frederick Remington and Charles M. Russell, students do a process drawing of a horse head using pencils and 12” x 18” white paper. After the lunch break, students create an elaborate stick weaving, work with clay, learn pottery techniques, and make a sand painting. We conclude with a discussion about Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan. Students produce a cityscape in one point perspective. 30.00

 

American History through Art II
In this workshop we do miniature portraits while talking about the portraits drawn by Charles Peale for his troops during the Revolutionary War. We do a landscape on canvas while looking at the landscapes of Thomas Moran and Albert Bierdstat. We make a process drawing of a horse using colored chalk on black paper, after examining the works of Frederick Remington and Charles M. Russell. We sculpt a horse using pottery clay or Sculpey®. Students learn about Thomas Nast, the inventor of the democratic donkey and republican elephant, and create their own comic strip. We end the day doing a picture of Mt. Rushmore while learning about portrait art. $30.00

 

Renaissance History through Art
This workshop begins with a lesson on illuminated texts. Students create an illuminated text using gold and silver paint pens, gel pens and colored pencils. We continue with a heraldry lesson and design a crest for a shield, draw a Byzantine cross, and make a triptych. We use a clay mold to make an original medallion. After lunch, we paint the medallion. Students learn about the great frescos of the Renaissance artists and then paint their own. Students also draw a room similar to the one in Leonardo DaVinci’s “The Last Supper,” and learn about the discovery of perspective. We end the session with a discussion about William Shakespeare. $30.00

 

Ocean Art
This workshop introduces students to some of the master artists who paint scenes under the ocean, such as David Miller and Robert Lyn Nelson. It also includes seascapes by Winslow Homes and Washington Alston. Students create seven projects that relate to the sea, including a crayon resist picture, and a mixed media water color picture of creatures under the sea. We explain how to draw a dolphin using shading, shadow, and texture, and how to sculpt a dolphin. Students learn to draw a variety of salt water fish, and a sea horse. $30.00

 

Horses and Western Art
Students learn how to draw, paint on canvas, and sculpt horses. We look at works by Frederick Remington and Charles M. Russell, and study the history of the horse in art. 40.00 BOOK INCLUDED

 

Drawing, Painting and Sculpting Dolphins, Dinosaurs and Horses
This workshop explores different mediums with students doing black and white, color and three dimensional studies of dolphins, dinosaurs and horses. 40.00 BOOK INCLUDED

CHECKLIST FOR ORGANIZING A WORKSHOP

1. FIND A GOOD FACILITY FOR THE WORKSHOP.  THIS CAN BE A CHURCH, A LIBRARY OR EVEN A COMMUNITY CENTER. CHILDREN NEED RESTROOMS, TABLES, AND ACCESS TO A SINK (CAN BE IN THE RESTROOM).

2. COORDINATE DATES WITH FACILITY AND VISUAL MANNA.

3. YOU CHOOSE A TOPIC. SEND OUT EMAILS AND FLYERS TO LET FAMILIES KNOW  ABOUT THE TOPIC AND AGES.  CHILDREN NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN LUNCH. REMIND PARENTS THAT FOODS WITH ANY PEANUT CONTENT CANNOT BE ALLOWED IN THE WORKSHOP.  STUDENTS ALSO NEED TO BRING COLORED PENCILS AND MARKERS.  WE CAN PROVIDE THESE FOR A MINIMAL COST, HOWEVER, EACH CHILD NEEDS HIS OWN SET. ALL OTHER SUPPLIES ARE INCLUDED. 

4. FOR EVERY 8 CHILDREN AGES 4 THROUGH 8 WE NEED TO HAVE A HELPER.  FOR EVERY TWENTY CHILDREN AGES 8 AND UP WE NEED A HELPER. WE CAN PROVIDE HELPERS WITH A FREE BOOK.

5. LET PARENTS KNOW THEY CAN PAY VISA/MASTERCARD BY CALLING 1-888-2757309 OR SEND A CHECK ADDRESSED TO VISUAL MANNA.

6. ORGANIZER CAN CHOOSE TO COLLECT THE CHECKS, HOWEVER A 200.00 DEPOSIT NEEDS TO SENT ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE WORKSHOP.

7. THE MINIMUM NUMBER FOR THE WORKSHOP IS 20 TO 25 STUDENTS.  THE MAXIMUM NUMBER IS 100. 

8. A SIMPLE LUNCH NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE TEACHERS.