A Comparison of Two Skin Tone Colored Pencil Sets By Jean Van’t Hul, The Artful Parent

We enjoyed exploring and testing the Faber-Castell World Colors pencils that we received to review and were interested to see how their skin tone colored pencils compared with other multicultural colored pencils out there. So we tested two sets side by side. Faber-Castell’s World Colors and Crayola’s Multicultural Colored Pencils And by we, I mean […]

Behind the Creativity with Franz, Artist Extraordinaire

An interview with Franz Spohn, artist extraordinaire: 1. You are the “Artist Extraordinaire” at Faber-Castell.  What is the best part about being the Artist Extraordinaire?   To begin, I consider it quite an honor. To have the opportunity to work with lots of kids, families, educators and of course, the many wonderful folks at Faber–Castell. This […]

The Art of Shapes – Art & Literature Series

Kids will LOVE this Art of Shapes Lesson plan for Valentine’s Day! In this project, students are introduced to several works of contemporary art associated with shapes, and make a piece of their own art inspired by Jim Dine’s famous heart motif. Grade Level: 1st – 4th grade Objective: Time Required: 2 45-min. class periods […]

Halloween Art Lesson – Draw a Haunted House

This Halloween art lesson is inspired by Friedensreich Hundertwasser.  Halloween Art Lesson Objective: Students become acquainted with Hundertwasser’s art and architecture, then create a Hundertwasser-inspired haunted house in the spirit of Halloween. National Core Arts Standards Creating: #1, 2, 3 Presenting/Producing: #5 Responding: #7,9 Connecting: #11 http://www.nationalartsstandards.org/ Materials: Faber-Castell Oil Pastels or Faber-Castell Beeswax Crayons Pencil Brush […]

#CreativeMe Art Contest Winner!

CONGRATULATIONS TO RILEYSHAY NEFF, THE WINNER OF OUR #CREATIVEME CATALOG COVER ART CONTEST. HER SUBMISSION “BEAUTIFUL DAY” IS A MXED MEDIA PIECE CREATED USING FABER-CASTELL WATERCOLOR PENCILS AND WATERCOLOR PAINT. RILEYSHAY IS IN THE 5TH GRADE AT LEARNING GARDEN ARTS ACADEMY. SHE LOVES THEATRE, ABSTRACT ART, ANIMALS AND WRITING SHORT STORIES. FOLLOW #CREATIVEME FOR MORE […]

Marker Recycling Program

In 2014, Faber-Castell® Premium Children’s Art Products launched its first ever Marker Recycling Program. 100 Terracycle boxes were distributed to schools nationwide. These boxes are used to collect empty plastic marker barrels. When the boxes are full, the marker barrels are then sent to Terracycle where they find new lives as outdoor furniture, reclaimed jewelry, […]

Found Object Assemblage Inspired By Louise Nevelson

“When you put together things that people have thrown out, you’re really bringing them to life – a spiritual life that surpasses the life for which they were originally created.” -Louise Nevelson 1899-1988 By Janis Doukakis   Vocabulary: Found objects – objects that originally had a different purpose, which the artist collected and used in […]

Warm as the Sun, Cool as the Moon

Fun lesson for Earth Day! By Janis Doukakis   Introduction: The goal of this exercise is for students to learn about the concept and use of warm and cool colors in a watercolor painting of their own. The Connector Paints are designed to click together in various creative combinations for interest and to encourage creativity. […]

60 ft of Amazing Artwork!

Thanks to Jim Bessman at examiner.com for this great article showcasing why artist extraordinaire and friend, Franz Spohn, loves Faber-Castell® Premium Children’s Art Products.   During the 4-day Toy Fair event, Franz demonstrated the new Gluten-Free Tempera Paints and Gel Crayons. Take a look at this amazing video:  

Kachina Dolls

By Janis Doukakis   Grade Level: 2nd – 5th grade   Time Required: Two 45 min. class periods   Objective: Students will explore the cultural significance of the Kachina Doll, and the role it plays in the lives of the Hopi Native American Indian Culture. Students will then create a Kachina doll drawing with a […]

Artist Trading Cards

By Janis Doukakis   “Art is a process, not a product. Where art is concerned, it is the process of creating—exploring, discovering, and experimenting, that has the greatest value. Through self-expression and creativity, children’s skills will develop naturally, and their ability to create will soar.” —MaryAnn F. Kohl   Objective: Students will experiment with a […]

Rousseau’s Rain Forest

By Janis Doukakis   “Nothing makes me so happy as to observe nature and to paint what I see.” —Henri Rousseau 1844-1910   Grade Level: 2nd – 6th grade   Time Required: three 45-min. class periods   Objective: Students become acquainted with Henri Rousseau’s life and art, and then create their own fantasy rain forest […]

National Gallery of Art 2014 Teacher Institute

Photo provided by Sheryl Depp National Gallery of Art 2014 Teacher Institute Fresh Impressionism & Post-Impressionism   Faber-Castell USA Fellowship Winner: Sheryl Depp, K-5 Art Teacher at Crews Lake K8   Sheryl’s experience: “A postcard came in the mail. An ad was in the NAEA newsletter. I received e-mail about it. At that point The […]

The Importance Of Arts Education In Schools

Actor and Executive Producer Omar Epps sits down with Janet from HuffPost Live to talk about the importance of arts in schools. Omar is also on the board of an organization called the Creative Coalition which is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan social and political advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Founded in 1989 by prominent figures in the creative community, including […]