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As homeschool moms, we have a lot on our plate. We have so many things to teach and so many things to juggle. Art is one of those things we need to cover each year, and it can easily be overlooked. I’ll admit art I don’t feel confident to teach art. I’ve tried different books and online materials, but I never felt it was enough.

Of course, I have kids that love art! They want to learn real art techniques, not simple arts and crafts.

Does this sound like you, too?

So what can you do?!

Here is where Beyond the Stick Figure comes in.

I was given access to the drawing course in exchange for reviewing the program. I was excited to see what this art program had to offer. I needed help. I also wanted to see if it would help other homeschool families, too.

Luckily, I can say I like what I’ve seen of the program. Better yet, my kids enjoy the program, too.

Beyond the Stick Figure Drawing Course

Beyond the Stick Figure is an art program designed for homeschool families. It is geared for ages 5 and up. Sally Stansfield, the art teacher in the program, is a homeschool mom. She has an art degree, but most importantly she knows how to teach art.

The full year art program is an online course through Teachable. You create a Teachable account, and you are ready to go. You can watch the videos on your own schedule, use it with multiple kids, and you have lifetime access.

How it Works

The course begins with a shopping list. Ms. Stansfield recommends using Prismacolor markers, computer paper, and a Strathmore Sketchbook. The markers and sketchbook are good quality art supplies. They are pricey but well worth it. The markers produce nice rich colors. My kids fell in love.

After you have your art supplies, you are ready to get started. The program begins with teaching the basic shapes in art. Children practice looking for circles, dots, curved lines, and straight lines in their environment.

Once they see how these shapes are all around them, they practice drawing them. The instructor keeps lessons short, most under 5 minutes, so kids can jump right in and start producing artwork.

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As your children go through the program, they use the basic techniques taught early on and build on them. The lessons work with young kids and older ones alike. It truly is a family art program.

Along with the videos, there are worksheets at the bottom of each lesson. These worksheets go along with the lesson taught. It may be a place for students to record shapes, reinforce skills taught, or a frame to print and display their work.

Children are given plenty of opportunities to practice each concept. My kids never got bored with it. They kept designing more and more pieces.

The Gallery is a nice feature of the program. This is an area where children can share their art creations. I think this is a nice touch. Kids can see what others have done and display their own work, too.

What We Like About Beyond the Stick Figure Drawing Program

1. Flexibility

• You can use the program with the whole family. My kids are 10 and 12 years old, and they enjoyed it. However, you can use it with younger kids, too. Ms. Stansfield does a nice job providing ways to adapt the program to meet a child’s ability and comfort level with art.
• You can use the program on your own schedule. This is a big one for us. You are not confined to a certain time and place each week.
• You have lifetime access to the course. You can use it throughout all your years of homeschooling.

2. It is an Art Class

Beyond the Stick Figure is an art class. It teaches art techniques to children. Kids will learn how to draw like an artist. Plus, they learn the art tools they need to create beautiful art. It isn’t a How to Draw Horses, Cars, etc. program.

3. Full Year Program

I reviewed only the drawing course. However, the complete program covers drawing, pen and ink, watercolor, acrylic, and 3D sculpture. It is a 36-week program with work you can do 5 days a week.

The complete program is $360 which works out to $10 a week. The other nice option is buying individual programs. The drawing program is $49. It is a good way to try it out and see what you think.

Overall, we enjoyed Beyond the Stick Figure‘s drawing course. I feel my kids are finally getting a good art education. Ms. Stansfield has done a nice job creating an art program that makes life a little easier for homeschool families. Best of all, my kids love it!

If you want to learn more, click here.