Window Views
Best for ages 5 and up
Several artists in the PMA’s collection depict windows in their artworks as a symbol of openness, hope, and to bring together two different perspectives. For this activity, we will draw inspiration from the window views in our own homes to create a drawing.
Materials Needed
A piece of paper of any size
Something to draw with (Pencil, pen, crayon, etc.)
Prepare
Walk around your home and take some time look out the different windows.
How does this view change at different times of the day?
When does the sun shine the brightest through the window?
What is your favorite view and why?
Instructions
Once you are ready, choose a window that you would like to be the focus of your drawing. Start by drawing the frame of the window, then begin adding details of what your outside view is. Do you see other houses, trees, roads, or animals? Make sure to leave space around the window because you will be drawing both what you see outside the window and what you see inside around the window.
Once you have the outside drawing complete, bring your focus inside. You may also want to move away from your window a bit to get a better view of the area surrounding the window. What is your perspective inside? Are there any curtains framing the window? Is there anything on the windowsills? You may also want to invite someone to be in your drawing, like in Winslow Homer’s An Open Window. Continue adding details to your drawing until you have filled the page. You can add color using colored pencils, markers, or paints if you would like.
As an added bonus, once you complete your drawing looking out the window, you can then go outside and draw the same window from the outside! How does your perspective change?