The features of arts perception development in children 8 - 9 to 13 - 14 years of age were longitudinally investigated. It is shown that special educative conditions lead to adequate perception of human image in paintings and drawings: junior children comprehend actions of a personage and senior children - the peculiarities of character and mood. Incomprehension is often due to incorrect interpretation of certain details and social stereotypes of art perception and does not possess age-specific characteristics.