Review-ARTistic Pursuits Inc.
by Sally Matheny
Since art and history are two subjects my son and I both enjoy, we were excited when given the opportunity to review an ARTistic Pursuits Inc. product. While they offer art curriculum for students K -12, the books available for the crew to review were for the K-3rd Grade Level, Volumes 1-8. We chose Art in America, Volume 8.
Since my nephew is in the fourth grade, we decided this would be a fun activity to do with him when he comes to our house once a week. The ARTistic Pursuits Inc. website mentions the age range for Volume 8 could extend to age ten. I figured since my eighth-grader is new to art instruction, the younger level book would be fine for him as well.
This proved to be true as we found the curriculum to be flexible for various ages and skill levels.
Also, I’m always looking for something fun I can do with the kids, so I joined them in a few of the lessons.
What’s Provided
Art in America, Vol. 8 is a beautiful, hardcover book with 64 color-rich pages. It contains material for eighteen projects. Twelve of those lessons are in the text book.
Also included are a Blu-ray disc and DVD with art instruction for the additional six lessons.
Tools You Need
ARTistic Pursuits Inc. highly recommends buying quality art materials. Specific tools they suggest students buy for this book, which is on pencil drawing are:
Prismacolor® colored pencil set
Ebony® pencils
Eraser
Pencil sharpener
Drawing paper pad
Ruler
Compass with pencil
Construction paper
then we chose an object to draw.
Text Content
The actual instruction for each lesson time takes about ten minutes. Some of the topics discussed are the uses of lines, shapes, shading, colors, shadows, light and dark, patterns, layering colors and more.
In addition to the art instruction, students learn a little history about twelve American artists from the 18th – 20th centuries, including John James Audubon, Max Weber, and Charles Demuth. The artists are not presented in chronological order. But rather their art pieces are mentioned in relation to the art technique presented. The artists’ history section will most likely need to be read by a parent to the younger students in grades K -2.
Also, there are a few simple questions in the book pertaining to the fine art pieces. Most of these questions are designed for the younger students.
Students are asked to notice certain details as they view prints of the artists’ work. For example, John Singleton Copley’s, A Boy with a Flying Squirrel, is shown along with the instruction about noticing shapes before drawing.
Prior to the lessons, you’ll find the name of the artist and the piece of art featured in each lesson on the “Contents” page. Also, you’ll see when to show the video lessons. For a more specific look at what is covered in each lesson, you’ll need to turn to the back of the book. There you will find a list of the objectives for all eighteen lessons.
Video Content
There is a Blu-ray disc and a DVD stored in clear envelopes on the inside cover of the book.
The six video lessons are cohesive with the book lessons and are presented in a manner even the youngest student will understand.
The highly skilled, Brenda Ellis, and her daughter are enthusiastic and engaging as they demonstrate how art materials are used.
Points Emphasized
There are several points emphasized throughout the course. The main focus is to have fun while learning new art techniques by choosing your own subjects.
Also, the students are urged to apply the instruction to their own level of understanding and experience. The boys and I found it to be a stress-free learning course for our homeschool.
Artists and developers of Artistic Pursuits Inc., Daniel and Brenda Ellis, don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all art curriculum.
“From the start, we’ve had one simple goal; to develop experiences in the visual arts that allow children to create original works of art. We believe this happens when children learn the process from direct observation of source materials, which allow them to choose the subjects that matter to them.”
– Daniel and Brenda Ellis of Artistic Pursuits, Inc.
Also, parents are instructed on ways to offer grace and how to encourage students to be creative in the learning process.
The boys were eager for me to jump in on a lesson or two and draw with them. However, there should’ve been a lesson for students on how to extend grace to parents.
Occasionally, I heard a little snickering going on behind me! I used the moment to model how to laugh at myself and how to have fun while learning the value of perception and of erasers!
Recommendation
Therefore, based on the book and the videos, I think ARTisitic Pursuits Inc. has designated Volume 8 for the correct age group (K-3rd).
However, I agree with their extension to age ten. It is easily adaptable for students through fifth grade, perhaps even older, if they’ve never had art instruction before.
Right away, my eighth-grade son and my fourth-grade nephew enjoyed using the book and the videos.
Because of their age, some days we were able to complete more than one lesson. Their favorite lesson was when we went outside and drew our three dogs. We learned it’s challenging to draw the back of a hefty dog with his tiny head looking over his shoulder. And it is very difficult to draw animals that keep moving!
Nonetheless, we loved getting outside and doing something creative and fun together.
I recommend this product for grades K – 5. You can learn more about this book and many other award-winning products at the ARTistic Pursuits website. You’ll also find them on:
Twitter: @ARTisticPursui1
Instagram: @artisticpursuitsinc
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ArtisticPursuitsInc/
To read more reviews go to the website of The Homeschool Review Crew !
