Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.
Do you have an artist in your homeschool? Or maybe you have a child that really enjoys doing art and would like to try different techniques. I know my kids (myself included) have a lot of fun with art and like trying out new art programs. Recently, we have been trying out the Art History Program by Creating a Masterpiece. It is a fun online art curriculum for your elementary or high school students. I cannot wait to tell you all about it.
Table of Contents
- What is Creating a Masterpiece- Art History Program
- The Online Art Curriculum- Art History
- How We Used This Online Art Curriculum
- How You Can Use This Art History Curriculum
- Overall Thoughts
What is Creating a Masterpiece- Art History Program
As part of the Review Crew, I received 6-months of access to Creating a Masterpiece. This online art curriculum offers many different art programs, but I am reviewing the Art History piece for this review.
The program is designed for elementary to high school students. Seems like quite a range, huh? It is. However, it can cover such a range because the projects are rated according to levels, Level 1 being the easiest.
To start, this is an online art curriculum which means all the lessons are video lessons. You need a computer and internet access to use the program. I must say the videos are high-quality and very well done.
Each art project includes:
- Lesson videos
- Material Lists
- A link to purchase supplies
- Helpful tips
Sharon, the instructor, breaks all the lessons down into several smaller videos. The videos range from a couple of minutes to eight or nine minutes in length (at least, the videos we looked into).
One nice thing about the curriculum is that the projects are broken into small chunks. You work on one part of the project, and the video ends. You can then pick up with the next piece or stop.
Start like this. 
End up with this.
Kids are encouraged to take a break and come back to the project later at some point during the lessons. Sometimes kids need to take a break to let things dry. Other times, it is, so they don’t become overwhelmed. Sometimes with art, you need to step away and take a fresh look at it before continuing.
There is such a variety of levels and styles of art for kids to choose from. You are sure to find something to work with the different ages and abilities in your homeschool.
The Online Art Curriculum- Art History
Now, as I mentioned, I am reviewing the Art History program. So let me go into a little more detail about it.
The art history component includes four sections:
- Styles of Art in History
- Historically Themed Projects
- Exploring the Art of Yesterday
- Capstone Program
Styles of Art in History
In the Styles of Art in History section, kids have a choice of 25 PROJECTS! The projects focus on the style of art during various points in history. For example, the first project is on Cave Drawings and works its way up to modern times with Pop Art. Then you have everything in between!
Each lesson starts with an introduction to the style of art for the historic period. So, kids get a good overview. Plus, Sharon shares examples from artists that use the art style being discussed. Therefore, kids can see works in the art style they will be creating.
Impressionism Samples 
Pop Art Samples
Kids create masterpieces like impressionist paintings, Grecian sculptures, pop art, and more. They will use markers, faux stain glass, ink, clay, acrylic paints, and various other art mediums. It is pretty impressive all the different styles and mediums used.
Generally, these projects range for ages 5 and up.
Historically Themed Projects
While the first section focuses on art styles, the following section focuses on historically-themed art projects. The projects are based on a time in history.
For example, kids may do an Egyptian Nomad project using markers for Ancient Egypt or a charcoal drawing of Abraham Lincoln for the Civil War Period.
In all, this section contains 8 projects for ages 6 and up.
Exploring the Art of Yesterday
In this section, there is only 1 art project. Kids will recreate a painting by Ivan Aivazovsky. However, they will use soft pastels. It is a more challenging project, so it is recommended for kids 13+.
Capstone Program
Lastly, this online art curriculum has one final project. In this last piece, kids will recreate Girl with A Pearl Earring in oil paints. It is a very challenging project. The instructor states specific criteria so you can decide if this project is at your child’s ability level.
How We Used This Online Art Curriculum
For this review, my kids and I did three different projects from the Styles of Art History section. We did an acrylic painting from the impressionism period, a Pop Art marker drawing, and a realistic drawing with colored pencils.
We decided to pick projects that looked fun and were in our ability level. So we tried to stick with Level 1 or Level 2 projects. I wasn’t looking for any particular historical period or art style. This was for pure fun! After all, it is summer.
Our Art Projects With This Online Art Curriculum
Now, let’s take a look at the art projects we completed.
Art Project #1
My daughter, age 14, and I did the Birch Trees acrylic painting from the impressionism period for our first project. Both of us love the style, and we love painting.
Now, when you look at the projects, remember the program is called Creating a Masterpiece. So it can very intimidating looking at the projects, and you might think, “My kids can’t do that!” And, believe me, we ALL said that.
However, your kids can! (Moms too.)
Sharon does a wonderful job explaining the projects step-by-step. Plus, you can pause the videos (which is encouraged) or replay things as you work.
The biggest thing holding us back was our fear of messing it up. However, the instructor is very encouraging, and you feel like you CAN do it.
For example, during the Birch Tree painting, my daughter and I were a little apprehensive. We tend to be perfectionists. But, the instructor kept reminding us that everyone’s picture will look different. With impressionism, the pictures give an impression of images. So, our paintings weren’t supposed to look “real” and perfect.
In the end, this is what we ended up with.
We learned some different techniques to apply to other paintings. I can see studying the impressionism period and using what we learned in this online art curriculum to make other paintings using what was taught.
Art Project #2
For our next project, my daughter and I did the Pop Art: Flower Pot in marker. Again, we were able to watch the videos and follow along.
At one point, my daughter had to improvise and change her project a little because she didn’t like where a flower was placed. So, she made a decorative pot to fix the problem.
Art Project #3
My son, age 12, joined us for our last project. We decided to tackle a piece from the Realism period. So we did The Eye in colored pencils.
This was the most challenging project we did (because creating realistic images is hard), but overall the instructions were well done. The steps are broken down into simple parts (a circle here and a line there), so you can follow along and do it yourself. Really!
We all came up with an eye. Take a look.
How You Can Use This Art History Curriculum
You can use this art history program in a few ways.
First of all, you could use incorporate it into your current history program. Your kiddos can recreate works of art in the style of the time period you are studying and/or take one of the historically themed art projects and add it to your history class.
Next, you could use this as a stand-alone art program. Kids can learn about the different styles of painting and incorporate the art into their studies.
Or you could simply incorporate the art history curriculum into your art class. For example, you can practice using certain mediums such as soft pastels, acrylic paints, sculpting, etc. This program indeed incorporates many different art materials. Plus, the kids learn a little history along the way.
Overall Thoughts
Overall, I would recommend Creating a Masterpiece for families that enjoy art. With easy-to-follow videos and a great instructor, kids will have a lot of fun. When I asked my kids what they thought, both of them said the videos were simple, and they like the program a lot.
I think my kids (12 and 14 years) could watch the videos for themselves and work through the projects. I’m sure if you have younger kids that are pretty good at following directions, they may be able to. It may be a challenge for kids that are not good at working independently, though.
Even if your kids aren’t really into art, this can be a motivating program. Kids have a “masterpiece” in the end, but at the same time, they are learning art techniques. It’s the best of both worlds. So many kids want a “real” picture/project when they are doing art, not just learn some techniques. They get that with this program.
To find out what other families thought of this program, click the banner below. You will find out how other ages did with the program and how other families used it.
Happy Homeschooling!
The projects all turned out fantastic, and a great review, too!
Thanks so much. It is such a fun program. I was shocked we really could recreate beautiful pieces of art.