Celebrating Norman Rockwell - Creating an Artwork of Everyday Life

I can only imagine how cool it was many years ago to receive the Saturday Evening Post in the mail. I wonder if there was excitement to see the cover illustrations that Norman Rockwell created? These images have become iconic of American life and are so recognizable as Rockwell's. These aren't pictures of celebrities or grand landscapes. These illustrations Norman Rockwell created were of everyday life moments, which may be the reason the resonate with so many. We tend to think of everyday life as boring, but really it is the small, fun moments of everyday life that are so memorable and make life worth living.

In honor of Norman Rockwell's birthday on February 3rd, I thought it would be fun to create a work of art in a realism style and to pick a reference photo of everyday life. It doesn't have to be flashy or fancy. Maybe a moment that you captured on your phone or an old photo of yours...something that has meaning to you. THAT is the reference photo you want for this artwork. This is what I used:

So, what else will you need to create your masterpiece? Well, that would depend on which medium you would like to use. Rockwell traditionally use oil paints, but any medium will work well for this project, especially the one that you or your kiddos feel the most comfortable using. Me? I used color pencils. In particular, PrismaColor Premier colored pencils. I love the detail I can get with them and the way they blend together.

If you choose to use colored pencils, too, then you will need:

- your reference photo

- a ruler

- a pencil

- an eraser

- colored pencils

- paper of your choice

To create your realistic piece, I would recommend creating a grid on your reference photo and on your paper. This will help ensure your proportions are correct and items are placed correctly on the page.

The video for this project can be found below. As always, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. I am happy to help in any way I can. I hope you have fun creating a wonderful artwork of everyday life with your kiddos. Happy Arting!