Fiona Holt's Blog

Junior Leonardo da Vinci is published

May 17, 2013

It's here. Inspire young minds with this great, fun book introducing children to da Vinci's life, art, science and inventions. With secret mirror writing and a spot of dragon hunting there's plenty to hold children's attention along the way.

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

Junior Leonardo da Vinci is on its way

April 24, 2013

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

'Junior Vincent van Gogh' is now available in paperback

April 3, 2013

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

FREE Activities on the 'SMART READS for Kids' Web Pages

March 31, 2013

The 'SMART READS for Kids' web pages have had a major overhaul. There are now lots of free children's activities and worksheets to accompany the books, a comprehensive book list so that you can easily find the retail format you're looking for and a parents and teachers resources page explaining the ethos behind the books.

http://theportraitplace.co.uk/smart-reads-for-kids.php

Continue reading...

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

A Secret Treasure in the Louvre

March 28, 2013

'Magdalena Bay' by François-Auguste Biard, 1840

If I had to pick a lesser known painting to see in the Louvre then it would be this one. I’d never heard of Biard before and there is a surprising dearth of information about him on the web. It first caught my eye as a superb dramatic skyscape, a little reminiscent of a Caspar David Friedrich.

But one expects to see superbly executed landscapes at every turn in the Louvre. So why pick this one? The answer is it's far more than just a pretty p...
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Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : Discover It

Junior Claude Monet is Here

February 27, 2013

'SMART READS for Kids' book number 2 'Learn 20 French Words with Junior Claude Monet' is published.

On the website you'll also find free copies of famous Art by both van Gogh and Monet for your little ones to enjoy coloring / colouring in.

http://theportraitplace.co.uk/kids-free-educational-activities-coloring-monet.php

http://theportraitplace.co.uk/kids-free-educational-activities-coloring-vangogh.php

Continue reading...

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

Children's Educational Book, 'Learn 20 French Words with Junior Claude Monet', is coming soon.

February 5, 2013

Looking forward to getting this one published in March (Feb half term was a little ambitious!). The titles of Monet's paintings provide an excellent opportunity to teach kids a few useful, everyday French words.

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

Can’t Wait To Get Down To The RA Manet Exhibition!

January 25, 2013

Manet revolutionised portraiture at the end of the 19th Century by refusing to conform to the traditional method of modelling facial form. Until he came along a portrait artist would cast a strong light upon their sitter (thus also creating strong shade) and then laboriously mix their skin tone, half tone, highlights, shadow edge, shadows and deep shadows (see the egg demo below that I give to my portrait classes). This creates drama, which I personally love, but I’m still glad Manet came...

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : Discover It

FREE Quality Children's Educational Fiction

January 20, 2013

My educational storybook for kids 'What Do You Do In A Drawing Room?' will be free to download on Amazon Kindle on Thursday 24th and Friday 25th January, 2013. Some of the world's most famous works of Art are woven into this fast-moving adventure novel that kids will love. Enjoy!
Continue reading...

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

My Next Information Book...

January 14, 2013

... will be 'Junior Claude Monet' for sure. As well as being a popular artist, his painting titles provide an excellent opportunity to introduce young readers to some useful French vocabulary. I'm hoping to have it out there by Feb half term.
(Degas will just have to wait!)
Continue reading...

Posted by Fiona Holt. Posted In : 'SMART READS' Tips

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'SMART READS TIPS' for extra insights into existing children's books and also news and sneak previews of any new publications.

When I come across Art I love I'll share it with you in 'DISCOVER IT' and,

'ITS AND BITS' soaks up all the rest.

Enjoy, Fxx

What do you do in a Drawing Room by Fiona Holt

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Junior Leonardo da Vinci is published

Junior Leonardo da Vinci is on its way

'Junior Vincent van Gogh' is now available in paperback

FREE Activities on the 'SMART READS for Kids' Web Pages

A Secret Treasure in the Louvre

Junior Claude Monet is Here

Children's Educational Book, 'Learn 20 French Words with Junior Claude Monet', is coming soon.

Can’t Wait To Get Down To The RA Manet Exhibition!

FREE Quality Children's Educational Fiction

My Next Information Book...

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