The relevance of the study is determined by the need to analyse the humanistic Waldorf experience and insufficient coverage of the issues of teaching painting in Waldorf school in Ukrainian scientific sources. The purpose of the study is to reveal the role and place of art in Waldorf school. The research tasks are the following: to highlight R. Steiner’s views on the role and place of art in the education of the younger generation; to characterize the process of teaching painting to schoolchildren at different levels of Waldorf education. The characteristic features of 12-year Waldorf art education are highlighted. They are: increasing the role of subjects of the artistic and aesthetic cycle to the level of academic (general education) and craft-applied branches; a wide range of arts (painting, drawing, sculpting, declamation, recitation, eurhythmy, singing, playing musical instruments, participation in the choir and orchestra, dramatic performances, etc.); art integration into the academic cycle (especially at the initial stage); artistic and aesthetic design of the entire educational space and school environment (in particular, school architectonics, premises interior, etc.). It has been found that teaching painting covers all children and is aimed at forming abilities, which promotes child’s harmonious development and revelation of their natural talents. Painting classes correspond to schoolchildren’s age characteristics and are connected with other subjects (native language, mathematics, zoology, botany, history, geography, physics). The content of teaching painting is characterized: from drawing, based on colour, and understanding the emotional and moral impact of colours through the search for colour forms for the mineral, plant, animal and human worlds, the transformation of a “black and white” image into a colour one, copying masterpieces of painting art, to implementation of significant artistic projects, in particular, in wall painting, painting scenery for theatrical performances, etc.). The various types (watercolour painting, oil and pastel painting) and techniques (liquid paints, lasering) of artistic activity are highlighted. The authors reveal the pedagogical expediency of studying, creatively comprehending and using Waldorf school experience to solve the current problems of the modern national school – person’s holistic development, their mental, volitional, emotional and sensual abilities, moral and social qualities, overcoming age-related and individual problems.
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