Review: Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses

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 way. 


Issac and I have been working our way through Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses by Beyond the Stick Figure Art School.  This is a video based program that includes downloads for many of the lessons to help your student learn the basics of drawing.  We've been having a great time working on some of our basic drawing skills. Do you know how hard it is to draw a perfectly straight line? I think we all say we can do that, but when you sit down and do it they typically aren't straight. I found that I tend to rush when I'm drawing things like straight lines or circle. There really IS a skill involved to make those things look great.  One of the great things about this program is that is geared for those 5-95, so really pretty much any age.  

Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course starts out teaching the very basics.  There is first a nice little welcome message as well as a message just to the moms and then a basic supply list. I like knowing ahead of time what we might need in the next few weeks, so that we can be prepared.  We started off working on straight lines, squiggly lines and circles. One thing that the program suggests is that you work on small sections of paper. Take a regular sheet of computer paper and cut it into 4 sections. That way you use a smaller area and your child, or you, won't feel so pressured. I found this to be both good and bad. For my son it helped with him feeling overwhelmed, but as we moved further through the lessons many of the printed worksheets were harder for him because they were a smaller space. When I felt he needed it we just tried drawing the shapes on a larger scale for him. That's the great thing about programs like these that they give you the basics and then you can chose how you use them.  The drawing part of the program was divided into 3 different sections with multiple lessons. The lessons all build on each other working from the basic shapes, outlining them, coloring them and then putting them together to form other pictures.  After all the drawing sessions were done there is a nice little "How am I Doing" section that I really enjoyed. It's got a little rubric that you answer and see how many "points" you earned during the session. The max is 12, but it was just a little feel good section I thought that would help build students up.

As we moved into the pen and ink lessons we learned how to draw with a pencil and trace over it with a permanent marker. The main goal here is to draw with the pen/marker. We used an even smaller section of paper than previously to do a nice little pen drawing and then learned about watercolor washes.  For me I thought it was nice to be able to look at a small square that I drew and feel that I did a good job. The lessons then move into a further detailed drawing that included learning more about tracing.  Again at the end of this section is another rubric to check in and see how you are feeling about your progress.  

As you move through the program your student learns to use watercolors, acrylics and venture into 3d design.  We learn what basic materials we need to do these projects as well as how to use these. There are different ways to use watercolors as well as acrylics and we are taught the difference in the program. We have spent most of our time in the drawing sections, but I'm looking forward to the acrylics and the 3d. This program builds on each previous lesson, so you must complete all the initial drawing sections before you can move on to the next session. This is both a positive and a negative I think. It helps the students learn step-by-step, but then if you have a child that is naturally gifted it's harder to jump ahead to where they would feel more comfortable.
This is a nice "one size fits all" type of program in that you can use it for your entire family as well as learn different methods of art.  The lessons are taught through video and you can easily see what lesson you are working on or which lesson comes next.  Once you purchase the course you have access to it for life! There is also a 30 day money back guarantee as well as great customer support if you need it. 
 

There were a few things I didn't really care about in regards to the Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses. The price is a little intimidating for me, but after breaking down the entire cost by the amount of lessons that I received I felt much more comfortable about the price.  My main concern was that you can't seem to skip around in the program. We had to do each lesson from each area before we could move on to the next. While I mentioned earlier I think that's great to help build on skills it was a little frustrating for my son because he felt we spent too much time drawing the same thing. I would like to be about to move about without having to complete each lesson. The other thing that was a bit of a struggle for me was the printing of the worksheets to use in the lessons. There were usually 4 sections of each type and I felt that we didn't use all of those and it was a bit of a waste of paper. I know that it's recommended to practice, but many of these lessons my son didn't want to do any further practice.  

All in all we've enjoyed our time spent with Beyond the Stick Figure Art School. I've learned that it's really not as easy ad I thought to draw a straight line, but when I take my time and do things step-by-step I can draw a pretty nice flower :) This is an especially great value for those with several children at home and you are wanting to bring more art to your schooling. I like that the lessons are available for lifetime as well. There were 80 families reviewing this program, so please go check out the drawings that were done by the other families.   As always for more information check out Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube.  

Review: Chinese Brush Painting

Art is one of the subjects that has been very hit or miss around our house. It seems like we put the effort into doing the core subjects, but forget how much art and music need to be explored as well. Timberdoodle has us covered when it comes to art. We recently were sent Chinese Brush Painting to review. I'll be honest that I hadn't really heard of this before, but was excited to try it out.  The set arrived in a very pretty and sturdy box.  It included the instruction book with 10 painting projects, a pad of paper, Chinese brushes, watercolor paints and more! This set is recommended for ages 9 and up. My son, almost 13, and I worked on these projects together.

We first sat down with the instruction booklet and went over all our materials.  There were two brushes included, one called a white cloud brush and the other a vine brush. The white cloud brush was for larger strokes and the vine brush for thinner.  Everything we needed was included in the kit other than water, a dish and a towel. I like when I can open the box and get started.  This technique is all about the layering of the colors and how the brush strokes are made.

We decided that we'd follow the book's recommendations by first doing the ladybug.  We struggled with the technique of layering the colors on the brush, but I think it's a skill that needs to be developed. The more we work on it the better it will be. It's definitely a skill to paint this way. The layering is what makes these paintings so beautiful and unique.  Everyone is going to layer colors slightly different and therefore that is what makes them unique.

** Issac's ladybug

** My lady bug 

**The example in the book

After the ladybug we decided to just pick items we wanted to paint and work on our techniques while we worked. The item I thought was the COOLEST out of the kit was the ink stone and stick. We were given a black stone in which we were to put a few drops of water. Then you take the stick and grind it around the stone and it gives you a black color. The stick is dried-up powder that has been compressed. I find these two items just fascinating!

We've really had a lot of fun with this kit. There has been trial and error in our technique, but like I mentioned before it's a skill that needs to be learned. I'm not quite sure we have the technique down yet, but we still had a great time trying.  I'm very thankful for Timberdoodle for providing such quality art products such as this Chinese Brush Painting set.  

Review: ARTistic Pursuits Inc.

Art has become one of Issac's favorite subjects. His older sister has dabbled in some drawing in her time, but last year he took a shining to watching her draw and decided he loved art too! Most of the time he just draws items without really having a knowledge of how to use any specific supplies to create different looks. He's been happy with that up until this point. I knew when I saw ARTistic Pursuits Inc. up for review that we had to do it. It seemed like a fun way to do art as we are ending our school year.  We had the choice of several of their books, but ultimately I decided to chose the first book in the series ARTistic Pursuits Art Instruction Books with DVD and Blu-Ray . Art for Children , Building a Visual Vocabulary is the first book in the series and I just felt that would be a good starting place for Issac. It would help him build confidence with his use of the materials and his drawing as well as have him learn to follow the instructions from the videos. 

Our aim with this product was to do one lesson a week. I honestly thought we'd do more because usually once the kids get back into art they want to do it several times over the week. ARTistic Pursuits Art Instruction Books with DVD and Blu-Ray is recommended for grades K-3, but with any curriculum you can adjust things to fit your family. When we received our book in the mail I was very pleased with the quality from the start.  It's a hardcover book with protective sleeves on the inside for the dvd & Blu-ray disks.  There are 18 lessons in this edition.  Of those lessons 6 are video lessons. The video lesson introduces the new concept and then there are a few lessons to work with that concept.
Lesson 1: Video #1 Watercolor Crayons Lesson 2: Artists Compose-The Courtyard of a House in Delft by DeHooch Lesson 3: Artists Imagine-The Birthday by Chagall Lesson 4: Video #2 Identify and Mix Colors Lesson 5: Artists Observe-In Flander's Field by Vonnoh Lesson 6: Artists Communicate-The Christening Feast by Steen Lesson 7: Video #3 Construction Paper: Cut Lesson 8: Artists See Shapes-Flower Day by Rivera Lesson 9: Video #4 Construction Paper: Fold Lesson 10: Artists See Form-Boy with Bagpipes and Young Bear (artist unknown) Lesson 11: Video #5 Oil Pastels Lesson 12: Artists See Texture-The Sunflower by Klimt Lesson 13: Artists See Landscapes-Monte Sainte-Victoire by Cezanne Lesson 14: Artists See Still Lifes-Still Life with coffeepot by Van Gogh Lesson 15: Video #6 Draw Shapes Lesson 16: Artists See Animals-Sentinel of the Plains by Dunton Lesson 17: Artists See Figures-Blue Dancers by Degas Lesson 18: Artists See Portraits-Henry VIII by Holbein the Younger
There is also a great material list at the front of the book that lets you know exactly what materials to have for use with the book.  We had to purchase a watercolor crayon set and an oil pastel set. The concept of this program is to get your child thinking and being creative.  The video shows the student how to use the art supplies. We have never used watercolor crayons and while it seems pretty easy to figure out how to use it's nice to have the video for instruction!  The book lessons are used more to have your child get involved in discussion and processing their thoughts.  Ultimately ARTistic Pursuits Inc. is wanting our children to take the art supplies provided to them and create original works of art. It's not so much about recreating what someone else has done, but seeing what they have done and making our own works of art. 

Here is a shot of the video where they are explaining how to cut your items from construction paper to make your picture. 

One of the beginning pages explaining how to use your materials. 

Issac and I found that we are both in love with the watercolor crayons. He has used them at least a dozen times since we did the first lesson. He's just fascinated with how he colors and the art work looks one way and with a little water it's transformed into something even more amazing.  I personally liked the range of the lessons and that some student drawings were in the book. I think it let Issac know that all art done by children looks different. Some are more gifted than others, but all children should love to create art and be proud of what they have created. In lesson 5 Issac had to observe nature. He did this lesson with his sister.  When sent outside to find his objects he grabbed the first 3 things he saw. His sister sent him back out because she felt he just grabbed 3 things without really looking around and seeing what he was surrounded with at the time. After more time observing he came back with some great items and was able to complete that project. One of this favorites was lesson 7 where he had to construct his art with objects he cut from construction paper.  

The above were some of our other works of art.  

There are currently 6 volumes: Art for Children, Art of the Ancients, Art of the Middle Ages, Artists that Shaped the Italian Renaiisance, Art of the Northern Countries and Art of the Impressionists.   Two additional ones are on the way in the summer of 2018: Art of the Middle Ages and Art of America.  Each book covers one semester and they can be used in chronological order or you are free to jump around based on your school studies. We've had lots of fun with this first book and plan to continue our art journey.  For more information about the books and to keep up with the new ones coming out check out ARTistic Pursuits Inc. on their social media sites: Facebook and Twitter

Review: ArtAchieve

We have recently found an art program that really works for all of us.  We've been using the Entire Level 1 by ArtAchieve and it's been wonderful.  These art lessons were really a big hit in our family.  Our middle, 15, and the youngest, 10, and I have been working through the first level.  Our daughter has been ASKING to do art almost every day and there have been NO tears from the youngest. Between the two of those makes this program a success in my book! I decided to start with Level 1 because of our youngest.  He's the youngest in the family and has struggled with fine motor skills his entire life, so I thought starting with the lowest level would be best.  I think it was the best decision because I've seen a few struggles with certain lines or shapes, but it didn't overwhelm him and that's what is important to me.

I like the way the level is set up having the warm-up, the powerpoint & video version of the drawing as well as the page that shows you what it should look like.  The warm-up is a great idea because it gives you a chance to practice some of the lines that you will encounter in your drawing. I thought this part of the program benefited our youngest the most.

I personally thought our kids would prefer the video version to draw with, but they both liked the powerpoint presentation.  They preferred it because any new section to be drawn was shown in red.  This was really helpful to our children and myself :) I like that both options are given, so that if one child preferred it one way and another the other way you would have both :)

 I liked that the author, John Hofland, has given us lots of extras beyond just a "drawing lesson." He has included, for each lesson, cross-curricular connections.  He's given us links for social studies, writing, literature and science that add an entirely new dimension to this art program.  For example in Level I-Lesson 3-The Hungarian Insect we can learn facts about Hungary such as it's history, geography and native insects.  We could read books on other insects and even write a story.  ArtAchieve can be an art program for your family or turn into wonderful unit studies!  

I think our daughter spent the most time on her drawings.  She really got into them and even though it says NOT to start over she did a few times. I could really tell how much she was enjoying this program and how at ease it made her with her artwork! I don't feel like I have any artistic ability, but I felt with the step-by-step instructions I did some decent work. It was nice to sit with the kids and just draw and color :) Here are some samples of the work the three of us did together.  

This last project I decided to use markers. Less than half-way through I realized I couldn't stand the marker lines, but what could I do? (LOL) At the end I wondered if I could use a wet brush to smooth the lines, but it made it look like my sun was crying :( My daughter said she liked it that way, so I figured I'd share. Even when it's not something you love it can still be enjoyed :)

There are 5 levels available and the age ranges vary. The age recommendations are as follows:

Level I-Ages 5 and up

Level II-Ages 7 and up

Level III-Ages 9 and up

Level IV-Ages 10 and up

That being said when we used it we had myself, 43, our 15 yo daughter and our 10 yo son.  I felt like Level I fit us just perfect.  The levels also vary in price and there are bundle option available HERE.  We didn't have to buy any special art supplies for the projects we used.  We owned everything we needed and a few times we used a different item just to see what it would look like.  This is an online subscription, so it's easy to access anywhere you are.  

If you want to get more information check out an introductory video or follow them on any of their social media sites.  

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