High School Art REVIEW

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

Both of my children love art.  They love to draw and they both have a talent for it.  I have reviewed for Artistic Pursuits Inc. before so I was more than happy to get a chance to review ARTistic Pursuits, High School 9-12 Book One, The Elements of Art and Composition by Brenda Ellis.  It is "a comprehensive art program designed to involve the student in the creative process while developing observational skills." (from the front cover of the book)  I received a physical copy of this 92-page non-consumable (can be used again) spiral-bound softcover book.  It features European Art throughout the book.

Sample of European Art

Student Getting Started page

It is written so that your high school student can work independently on the lessons.  It is a full-year curriculum that includes 68 lessons.  There are a total of 16 units and 4 projects (The Elements Combined) that include Lines and Textures, Lines and Planes, Space and Values, and Value and Texture.  It is recommended that you complete approximately two lessons per week at 1 hour each (give or take).  My highschooler chose to work for a few hours once per week.  He also used the book in his free time.

One of his projects that combined several lessons

The table of contents lists supplies needed for 1st and 2nd semester.  This course is very economical in that not many art supplies are needed and they are easily obtained and fairly inexpensive to acquire.  We already had all the necessary supplies in our arsenal.  For example, the 1st semester only requires a drawing pencil set (range from 2H to 4B), vinyl eraser, metal handheld sharpener, and drawing pad.  Topics covered include Space, Line, Texture, Shape, Form, Value, Composition, Balance, and Rhythm to name a few.

The lessons are broken into topics that include:

• Building a Visual Vocabulary
• Art Appreciation and Art History
• Techniques
• Application

The "assignments" are in red type so they are easy to see within the lesson.  It did help to make it more clear what was to be done.  I personally found it difficult to actually figure out what the "lesson" was.  The text seems to all run together into one large lesson but if you use the table of contents and notice the assignments in red, it became much clearer to me what the lesson really consisted of.

Sample lesson page with assignment in red

If you are like me, not artistic at all, then you may be wondering how on earth you are going to grade your child's work.  Have no fear!  There is an Evaluation Sheet rubric at the end of the book that helps you score your child's work.  It is VERY helpful and exactly what I needed!

I really like Artistic Pursuits, Inc. and we have used several of their wonderful art books.  I just love the way they present the subject to my kids and really inspire a true love for art while also infusing artistic and historical knowledge into the student.  The samples of European Art throughout this book helps to broaden their familiarity with artwork and history.  Throughout the entire book there are tips and helps on drawing and inquisitive questions posed that cause your student to think more about what they are learning. The other part that I really enjoyed was the Student Gallery where actual pictures from students are displayed throughout the book.

When asked what he thought, my high school boy said, "pretty neat, I like it."  Never one for many words.  We give ARTistic Pursuits, High School 9-12 Book One, The Elements of Art and Composition two thumbs up.  You can connect with Artistic Pursuits Inc. on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.  You can also see my previous reviews of Art of the Ancients and Art for Children.  Be sure to check out the reviews of my fellow Crew members by clicking on the graphic link below.  There are about 60 of us reviewing several of their books.

Beyond the Stick Figure Art School REVIEW

 Disclaimer: I received a FREE subscription of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.

With two budding artists in the family, I had good reason to review Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses from Beyond the Stick Figure Art School.  I am not an artist by any means and the funny thing is is that I would say I can do stick figures and no more.  I received a free lifetime online subscription to this homeschool art curriculum course.

Putting it all together with color

You can navigate to different areas from your dashboard
and see how you are progressing through the lessons

This program was created by Sally Stansfield, a trained, degreed artist from England.  She has 8 children and also homeschools.  My 10th-grade son used it the most and my 1st-grade daughter dabbled in it a little bit.  She's still at the point where she wants to do things "her" way. We have lifetime access to this program so you can go at your own pace.  The lessons are labeled simply as daily lessons (Day 1, Day 2, etc).  The products I received were as follows:

• Complete Drawing Course
• Includes 52 lessons broken down into 3 parts

• 3 Bonus Programs
• Pen and Ink Techniques and Complete Watercolor courses
• includes 66 lessons
• Introduction to Acrylic Course
• includes 21 lessons
• Introduction to 3D Design Course (polymer clay)
• includes 27 lessons
• Paint Your Own Family Portraits (I also currently have access to this)

Learning to draw faces (family portrait lessons)

Learning about primary and secondary colors

Some lessons include workbook pages to print out and work through.  One thing we found tricky is that you must complete each lesson in the order that is on your dashboard before you can continue.  No skipping ahead or looking to see what is ahead.  Each lesson must be marked as "complete" before you can proceed.

Sample workbook pages

Fairly easy to navigate between completed lessons within a topic

You must mark lessons as complete before proceeding to the next lesson

What happens when you try to move forward without
completing the previous lesson

There is a materials list tab so you can assemble what you need and plan accordingly.  There are also introductory and materials needed videos within a few of the topics.

Materials list tab

Video explaining some of the needed materials

This program is geared for the whole family for ages 5-95.  The basic steps Sally takes you through allows you to build on your skills.  You are able to see how simple lines and curves can morph into beautiful, created artwork.  My 1st grader would do better if I sat down with her to work through the lessons, this is just her personality.  My 10th grader, of course, worked independently and seemed to enjoy it.  When asked what he thought he simply replied it was "ok."  I watched him draw and I think he can expand his current talents by going through this course.  It also looked like he was enjoying it.  I like the way Sally takes you step by step and teaches you to build on your previous skills.  For those who are less than artists, this is perfect!  You can see how easy it is to create art.  I intend to go through it more thoroughly with my 1st grader and allow the 10th grader to continue with it as a fun summer course.

Practicing lines

Working through the lessons

Completed lessons (he did several on one page
instead of separate pieces of paper

I was slow to like this one.  With the frustrations of the menu navigation and the different teaching technique, I was not sure this was a go for us.  In the end, I say yes, thumbs up to Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses because I like the idea of taking a "stick figure" and making something beautiful from it.  I think the techniques taught in this homeschool art curriculum will go far in our artist skills.  I look forward to us working on this over the next year.  I know my son will especially like the 3D Design because he loves working with clay.  I am looking forward to digging into the watercolor lessons.  It's something we can do together, as a family, and that's always a win in my book.
You can connect with Beyond the Stick Figure Art School on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, and YOUTUBE.  Please also take the time to check out the reviews from my fellow Crew members to see what they had to say about this homeschool art program by clicking on the graphic link below.

Creating a Masterpiece Art REVIEW

   

   

After two years of trying to get on a review for Creating a Masterpiece, I finally got on the review.  I was so happy and excited to review the Drawing Program.  I received a one-year subscription to this online art program.  Both of my kiddos are budding artists and love to draw.  Sharon Hofer provides excellent art instruction.  The program is recommended for children of all ages.  There are four levels of instruction that include Beginning Drawing, Drawing Level 1, Drawing Level 2, and Drawing Level 3.  The lessons cover three different mediums including pencil, colored pencil, and charcoal.

Art instructor Sharon Hofer

 

Sample video shot from giraffe lesson

The lessons are easily accessible via your online subscription and there are other subscription options besides just the Drawing Program.  There are 6-8 projects per level for a total of 29 projects.  Within each project are individual short lessons that walk you step by step through the drawing.  The lessons consist of about 4 to 6 short videos (from approximately 1 to 4 minutes long).  Sharon is very patient and encouraging as she teaches the different concepts of drawing.  She encourages the students to take their time and rewatch the video as necessary.  She expects you to work on and clean up your drawing as necessary between video lessons so you are ready to go on to the next section.  The projects that we have completed have taken us about 30 minutes or so to complete (more complex drawings will, of course, take more time).

We chose the Giraffe in Cartoon as our first project (it's a caricature).

Knowing what tools you need and where to purchase them is easy.  A supply list is included with each project and there is even a link to click to purchase those exact supplies online.  The link takes you to a site that already loads your cart with the necessary supplies.  I thought this was wonderful.  We did not purchase our supplies through this link but Sharon highly suggests you use the brands she suggests so that you get the best results from your projects (quality supplies equals a quality project).  I also noticed that in quite a few instances certain supplies were out of stock or backordered so this could be a problem.  It's easy though to find the resources online from other vendors so it wasn't a problem for us.

 

Project description, supply list, and supply purchase links

Link to the Blick site to order your supplies that are already placed into your cart.

Once we got all our supplies together we started the video for our first lesson.  Little Bug kept giggling throughout the lessons at Sharon's comments on what a caricature is and how to accentuate certain parts of the giraffe's body.  Both kids enjoyed the lesson.  It was a little annoying that it was broken into 4 sections because it felt like you were just getting into what she was saying and then the video would end.  I now understand that rather than expecting you to know where to pause she probably did it to force breaks in your project so you can complete the "clean up" work she recommends.

Little Bug's finished caricature of giraffe

I think Sharon is a great instructor and has an infectious joy in her teaching. You can tell she loves what she does and it comes out in her lessons.  She makes you feel like you CAN draw!  There are tips within the projects and she also shares tips with you in the videos on how you can make your drawings better.

Sample online tips

My sophomore's caricature rendition

I am definitely not the artist in the family but it was fun!

I am so glad we get to enjoy this wonderful online art program for the next year.  I know I will learn a lot from her instruction as will my kids.  We, of course, give the Drawing Program a thumbs up!  While it is recommended for all ages, I'm not sure how younger kids would do (you will need to check out the other reviews to see).  Little Bug is in 1st grade and was a little frustrated at first till I got her to just listen to Sharon and enjoy the process.  There was no "right" or "wrong."  She ended up being really happy with her end result.  I think this is a great option for your homeschool art curriculum.

Another completed project from the Beginning Drawing level

 

Some Drawing Level 3 samples

I think for our next project we will try the egg project from the Drawing Level 1 section.  It teaches about lighting and shading, something my son wanted to work more on.

You can connect with Creating a Masterpiece on FACEBOOK. There are future plans to expand this program into more projects and more difficult levels.  I can't wait to see what comes in the future.  Please be sure to check out the reviews from my fellow Crew members to see what they thought of this fun art instruction program and how it worked for their families.  Just click on the graphic link below.  Happy Drawing!