START WITH ART: Portrait of a Woman Holding a Pencil and a Drawing Book

We START WITH ART each morning with our kids (Jenna's kids are 7 and 10, Janet's is also 10). This takes us less than five minutes each morning and tends to be re-visited later in the day at the dinner table or during our evening reading sessions. We find this little exercise each morning ignites creativity and sparks critical thinking. 

Here's how to #STARTWITHART:

Step one: Take a look at the artwork below

Step two: Read the questions below the picture of the art to the students/children in your life

Step three: See how starting your day with art can ignite creativity and critical thinking! 

It's that easy! Let's START WITH ART!

Title: Portrait of a Woman Holding a Pencil and a Drawing Book

Artist: Robert-Jacques Lefèvre

Date: circa 1808

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 127 × 111.76 cm

Start with Art Questions:

• The woman in this painting is posed with a drawing book and pencil. Why do you think she has these objects? 

• What do you think the woman might be about to draw in her book? How do you think the woman feels as she holds the pencil and drawing book, and why do you think that?

• If you could sit down with her, what would you ask her to draw for you?

Add our START WITH ART calendar to yours by clicking here then click "add." Share how you're folding this into your daily routine by tagging us on Instagram @pageofarthistory and/or the tag #startwithart 🖼️

Are you coloring with us? Journey through the timeline of art history through coloring pages and facts with a Page of Art History membership. Access the Page Packs via our online portal that also contains additional learning resources. We can’t wait to see how you color the pages of Art History!