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.
Art. It is amazing how one word makes some cheer and others groan. How do you react to the thought of teaching homeschool art? When I first started homeschooling, I will admit, I was intimidated by the idea of teaching art. Then I found some good art programs. One we’ve been enjoying is the Middle School 6-8 Book One: The Elements of Art by ARTistic Pursuits Inc.
ARTistic Pursuits- Homeschool Art Program
What is ARTist Pursuits? ARTistic Pursuits is a complete K- 12 fine arts program. Kids will learn art history, do art projects, and receive art instruction. Don’t worry moms and dads it is all planned out for you. You don’t need to be an artist for this homeschool art program.
We reviewed The Middle School Book One for several weeks. It covers the elements of art and composition. So, what does that mean?
Within this book, kids learn drawing techniques using pencil and ink. They look at artists’ work and learn some art history, too. Best of all, kids learn to apply what they learn to create art pieces of their own.
The Units:
When you open the book, you will notice there are 16 units. Your child will learn skills in space, texture, and perspective (to name a few). Take a look here at the other topics covered.
Each unit is set up as follows:
- First Lesson: The lessons start with helping kids learn how to look at their world.
- Second Lesson: In this lesson, kids will learn art history and appreciation.
- Third Lesson: Here is where kids will learn different art techniques.
- Fourth Lesson: Lastly, students apply what they learned with an assignment.
Schedule
The program is designed to last 32 weeks. So this works out to about two 1-hour lessons per week. It is also broken down into two semesters. The first semester focuses on pencil drawings while the second semester is ink.
A note about the schedule: Families can easily tailor this art program to fit their schedules. Some kids may want to do more per week if they are artistic kiddos. Other families may only have time for a lesson a week. The program is flexible.
Art Supplies
So, one question I’m sure you may have is “What art supplies do we need?”
ARTistic Pursuits provides a list of all the materials for each book on their website. You can also find an “Art Supply Pack” for sale for this homeschool art book. Each pack contains all the needed supplies.
Art supplies can get costly, though. Luckily, most art supplies can be used for more than one project. To be honest, I looked at the art supply cost before agreeing to review it. I’m a homeschool mom, too, and am cautious on how much we spend.
For the middle school program, book one, you may have some supplies on hand if your kids are into art. For the first semester, I only needed the drawing pencil set. I needed most of the ink supplies, though. I spent ~$40-$50 on supplies. My kids were sharing most of the materials.
I believe if I’m going through the trouble of teaching them art, my kids need real art supplies. For me, I felt the cost was worth it since we will use the supplies for all our homeschool art classes.
Using This Homeschool Art Program
My kids were excited to use this program. Ok, honestly, I was, too. We all enjoy art, and we were excited to really learn how to use art pencils for creating art. The ink looked interesting, too.
For the review period, we decided to use the program about 2-3 times a week. My kids are finishing up 5th and 7th grade, so they could definitely handle it.
I believe kids could work fairly independently with this program, but I chose to work through it with mine. We tackled a lesson a day, going through the reading and assignments together. It was a lot of fun. We got through a few units of the first semester.
The first few lessons work on using space and helping kids learn to use drawing pencils to practice a particular element. We learned how to sketch, make thick lines by using sandpaper, and when to use the different numbered drawing pencils. It has taught us a lot.
Here is some of their work:
Ink Art
Since the program builds upon itself by introducing new techniques, I chose not to have the kids skip ahead and do a few of the ink lessons. I was very tempted to because it looks amazing.
However, I tried some of the ink lessons for myself. When I finished my first piece, all I could think was, “Wow! That was cool.” I am glad, though, I am having my kids work their way up to the ink section. They’ll need their prior skills to help them.
Here is my attempt at doing a wash with the ink.
Kids will have a lot of fun with the ink section. The instructions for getting started are very good. I was a little nervous at first, but the program gave good step-by-step directions on what to do. So don’t worry about it with your kids.
Thoughts on Book One The Elements of Art and Composition
My son said to me, “Mom, I want to keep using this art program. I like it.”
Honestly, we all like it. ARTistic Pursuits does a nice job creating easy to follow lessons. Kids will learn many art techniques and how to use the various elements of art. It isn’t a step-by-step drawing program. Kids begin to learn how to look at things like an artist and to create it for themselves.
Another nice thing about this book is that kids do drawings on things in their environment or that interests them. The same is true with the ink assignments. Kids learn a new technique and practice it with an assigned subject and/or a subject of their own.
Here you can see the different subjects the three of us chose to do for the same assignment.
Water bottle 
View out a window 
Birdhouse in tree
I believe kids will find the artists’ examples helpful, and the art history information quite interesting. Kids shouldn’t be bored learning it.
Other Thoughts on the Program
ARTistic Pursuits states this program is for all ability levels. For the most part, I agree. Though, I feel if students have not had much art instruction, they may want to start with something designed for beginners. Especially if your child is a little timid when it comes to art.
Why do I say this?
The program begins with encouraging kids to really look at the things in their environment. Some kids may not understand what this means if they haven’t had some basic art classes. I can see some reluctant artists becoming overwhelmed.
I have first-hand experience with this because my daughter, who does have some artistic skill, would become frustrated. She’d complain “I can’t draw a person,” or “I don’t know what to draw.” Admittedly, she tends to do this no matter what and is fine with some prompting.
However, if you have a child that lacks confidence in art, you may have some challenges. If your child is a perfectionist, it may be difficult. They may see the examples and want to create work like the picture.
Finally, I do believe this program will work with different abilities as long as you have a child that can accept their current ability level and build from those skills. You know your child best, so you will be able to judge this for yourself.
Homeschool Art For The Middle School Kid
ARTistic Pursuits’ Book One for Middle School is a good art program. It isn’t “babyish” and works on techniques that will expand your child’s drawing skills. I would recommend adding it to your homeschool.
Best of all, as a parent, you don’t have to prepare the lessons. It is easy enough to open up the book and begin. You don’t need to be an artist for your kids to become one themselves. Don’t let your homeschool art class be a stressful time for you. Look into ARTistic Pursuits today.
ARTistic Pursuits has art programs for all ages. The Homeschool Review Crew has many Crew Members reviewing this book and their other programs. Click the banner below to read what others thought of Middle School Book One and their other books as well.
If you check out ARTistic Pursuits’ blog, you will find free video lessons for beginning drawing. It is a 16-week summer series going on each summer.
Also, you can find online courses available for all their K-3 level books. Check it out for yourself.
Happy Homeschooling!
