Project: Tissue Paper Collage

Drawing

Skills developed and utilized:

• Fine motor skills/Manual dexterity used to handle pencils, oil pastels, and markers
• Understanding Boundaries and working with them (or not)
• Communication verbally and through drawing.
• Exploring a variety of materials

Materials:

• Paper
• Crayons, Colored Pencils, Oil Pastels, and Markers
• Circle Ruler (or other circles to trace)

Step one: have blank paper or mandalas available

Step two: prompt participants with ideas, still life and/or pictures

Step three: ask about adding more or other colors

Step four: ask about a title

Modifications/Objectives

Depending on what a participant does a drawing can be worked on over multiple sessions. Using materials such as crayons or colored pencils allows for shading and detail work that markers can’t do. If working from still life try to have the same objects available for as long as the person works on it.

High functioning:Provide a full array of colors and options. Keep conversation going and share ideas with each other. Some more detailed and realistic drawings should appear.

Mid functioning: Focus on using at least 3-4 colors on own. Some realism, but abstract is alright too. Might need more prompting and look at more examples. Having time to look at art at the beginning of a group can help.

Low functioning: Making a choice between 2-3 offered colors. Putting the color on the paper and having some movement. With the lower functioning it may get to the point where the therapist needs to draw for the participants while getting ideas and feedback from those watching. Showing art is useful and can keep conversations going.

Notes/Observations:

As the level of functioning goes up more choices and higher expectations can be present. The lowest functioning individuals we work with will mainly watch and give input to direct questions. Vary materials. Chalk gets all over especially with those with more severe memory impairment.