Education has become synonymous with schooling, but it doesn't have to be. As schooling becomes increasingly standardized and test driven, occupying more of childhood than ever before, parents and educators are questioning the role of schooling in society. Many are now exploring and creating alternatives. In a compelling narrative that introduces historical and contemporary research on self-directed education, Unschooled also spotlights how a diverse group of individuals and organ...

Children, like all human beings, crave freedom, but they are not free in school. Schools operate by methods of coercion (a "request" in school is really an order), enforced with reward, punishment, and threats. Coercion interferes with children's natural, joy-filled and interest-filled ways of learning and turns learning into "work." In this collection of essays, developmental psychologist Peter Gray describes also how schooling promotes bullying, cheating, and showing off; contributes to ...

Children come into the world biologically designed to educate themselves. Their natural curiosity, playfulness, sociability, willfulness, adventurousness, tendency to look ahead, and desire to do well in the world were all shaped, by natural selection, to serve the function of education. In this collection of essays, developmental psychologist Peter Gray describes, with research evidence, how these natural tendencies play themselves out in children who are not schooled but, instead, are al...

This professional guide to creating convincing artworks of family members, with step-by-step instruction throughout, is ideal for those starting out in portraiture. With extensive instruction on the crucial skill of capturing a likeness in a wide variety of styles, the exercises are clear and easy to follow. Sections include drawing the head from the front and in profile, three-quarter views, head and shoulders and full-length portraits, group portraits, caricature and pastiche.

Fascinating, endearing and endlessly varied, animals make inspirational subject matter for artists. In Drawing Animals, author and illustrator Peter Gray guides you through the stages of capturing animal shapes, behaviour and expression to create accomplished artworks. Whether you are a complete beginner or a more experienced draughtsman, the tailored step-by-step exercises and practical tips will help you get the most out of your animal subjects.This is another title in Arcturus' ...

If you have always wanted to excel at drawing, then The Complete Guide to Drawing & Illustration is for you. All you need is a pencil, a bit of blank paper and the expert guidance you will find within these pages. This book is designed to systematically teach you the essentials of drawing and lays the groundwork for you to develop your own personal drawing style.• Hands-on course in drawing and illustration, suitable for beginners and improvers alike• Practical, ste...

Immensely varied and full of interest, landscape provides a limitless subject for artists, and gives them the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. In this book, author and illustrator Peter Gray talks you through the stages of drawing landscapes, from the smallest detail to the widest views. Tailored step-by-step exercises will guide you through the challenges of landscape drawing and help you achieve your own stunning results. The Artist's Workbooks are practical guides for artists ...

What if the cause of the youth mental health crisis wasn’t social media at all?When was the last time you actually saw a group of kids—without adults—playing on a playground? Forty years ago, an American ten-year-old could expect to walk to school, bike to a friend’s, or play pick-up games with other kids in the neighborhood. Today, our children are supervised and controlled at every opportunity.As author, researcher, and psychology professor Peter Gray sho...

A ground-breaking investigation into the changes in the way we are raising and educating our kids, and the importance of giving children the freedom to play and explore.When was the last time you saw a group of kids - without adults - playing on a playground? Forty years ago, the average ten-year-old could expect to walk to school, bike to a friend's house, or play games with other kids in the street. Today, our children are supervised and controlled at every oppor...

This comprehensive guide to simple, effective drawing techniques encourages the reader to focus on expression and style to achieve artistic 'truth'. Rather than copying every element of a subject, the reader is urged to develop his or her own way of seeing subjects to produce an individual, expressive style of drawing. While offering demonstrations on matters such as proportion, perspective, light sources and mark-making, author Peter Gray inspires readers to become confident in their own ...

Comic and accessible, with great scope for invention, caricatures are a joy to draw. In this book, author and illustrator Peter Gray works through the process of achieving a likeness and distorting it in imaginative ways for maximum effect. Tailored step-by-step exercises help aspiring caricaturists to build up their skills, and handy hints will keep them in the know about techniques and materials. The Artist's Workbooks are practical guides for artists interested in getting to grips with ...

From the quickest of pencil sketches to inked-up artwork, mastering different drawing techniques is vital to becoming an accomplished artist.In this practical guide, author and illustrator Peter Gray guides you through the different materials available and how to deploy them to best effect. Whether you are an experienced artist or a complete beginner, these tailored step-by-step exercises and practical hints will help you discover the techniques that work for you.Materials ...