MelanieM Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I just saw an email from Homeschool Buyer's Co-op about Mark Kistler art curriculum. It's a great price and the samples look amazing! Is anyone using this? If so, how do you and your kids like it? Here's a link to the offering from HBC if anyone is interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snickerdoodle Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 "Who isn't using it?" would be the more appropriate question, methinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace'smom Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 (edited) We got it last year and my DD didn't like it. The videos went to fast for her and she didn't like to have to pause it. There are IPAD apps that do similar instruction and she's done well with those. She taps the screen when she's ready to move on to the next portion. Nevermind- I just went back and realized it does have a lesson section where it doesn't move so fast... Oops. Guess we'll try again! Edited June 13, 2011 by grace'smom reviewed site again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KristenR Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 I read a bit about it on Angela's blog. Her daughter seems to like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muninay Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Thanks for posting. I am looking for an art curriculum myself. Was considering Artistic Pursuits. Muninay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dm379 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 We've been using it for about 3 years and love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homebody2k Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 We use it off and on - but he also comes on PBS so we recorded those and use them also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paceofnature Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 My daughters LOVE it. They set up sketch tables by the computer and have no problem hitting pause while the catch up. There are also classes that are not videos (School of Imagination) where they click next to see the next element to add. I would suggest having your children try out the samples and see if they enjoy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasar31629 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 We use in on the side for fun...we all get involved during family art nights (we enjoy them more than board games). Mark is fun, it's low pressure, and we don't mind hitting the pause button when we need a bit more time. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 We have a book that I'm going to use next year with my oldest ds. A book moves as fast or slow as you want! ;) It looks like a great program and he has a good sense of humor which really shows through on the pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waa510 Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 We got it last year and my DD didn't like it. The videos went to fast for her and she didn't like to have to pause it. There are IPAD apps that do similar instruction and she's done well with those. She taps the screen when she's ready to move on to the next portion. Nevermind- I just went back and realized it does have a lesson section where it doesn't move so fast... Oops. Guess we'll try again! Total hijacking..sorry, OP..but what apps do you use for this? My DD would love this as she's starting to get more interesting in drawing lately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilikemyhomeschool Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 DD loves it. She is also going to his drawing camp in september. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grace'smom Posted June 13, 2011 Share Posted June 13, 2011 Total hijacking..sorry, OP..but what apps do you use for this? My DD would love this as she's starting to get more interesting in drawing lately. The app she likes is called How To Draw. There is also a Mark Kistler app but we haven't used it. It's 99 cents though so it's worth a shot... Hailey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waa510 Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 The app she likes is called How To Draw. There is also a Mark Kistler app but we haven't used it. It's 99 cents though so it's worth a shot... Hailey Great! Thank you :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllBoys Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I bought this last year from HSB and my boys loved it! It was one of the subjects that I didn't have to remind them about and they really enjoyed. So happy we tried it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbabe Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I bought this last year from HSB and my boys loved it! It was one of the subjects that I didn't have to remind them about and they really enjoyed. So happy we tried it! :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 We've been very slowly (meaning do a lesson every other week or so) his Draw Squad book. The improvement in my kids' drawing ability after less than a 1/3 of the book is amazing. I've been looking at that offer; it's the only thing I've seen on the co-op that has tempted me. Here's a link to one of my 9 year old's drawings from the book. He could barely draw a recognizable house before starting lessons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parias1126 Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 We've been very slowly (meaning do a lesson every other week or so) his Draw Squad book. The improvement in my kids' drawing ability after less than a 1/3 of the book is amazing. I've been looking at that offer; it's the only thing I've seen on the co-op that has tempted me. Here's a link to one of my 9 year old's drawings from the book. He could barely draw a recognizable house before starting lessons. HIs drawing is amazing! Makes me want to order the book. Is Draw Squad written by Mark Kistler also? By the way, your son is adorable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Thanks, and yes. Here's a link to it on Amazon. It has the look inside feature enabled. Make sure you look through the surprise me part, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennefer@SSA Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 We use Mark Kistler's online drawing lessons and my boys adore them. They are all still in the mini-marshmallow lessons though. I require that they do 2-3 pictures each day M-Th as part of their school assignments. They have done so well with these lessons. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenjenn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) That looks cute and fun for something to do on the side, but it should be known that those kind of art programs are not truly art instruction. True art instruction doesn't instruct on "how to draw a koala" or "how to draw a car", it involves study of the elements and principles of art and design so that they can be used as tools to draw or paint anything. Learning to draw that koala is akin to learning how to write the equation "35 x 7 = 245" with no understanding of how multiplication works. I have a bachelor's degree in art and worked some years as a professional illustrator and graphic designer before having kids. I've never seen a a real art education curriculum for sale, per se, though I haven't actually looked. Most seem to be similar to this. I taught an art course last year for home schoolers (a 12 week course ) and none of my students - even those who had extensive experience taking kids' art classes, had ever learned about even the most basic principles of art prior to my class. Not to say that "Learn 2 Draw" can't be fun or that there's anything wrong with spending time with a program like that, and it is probable that by doing those lessons enough a student would pick up enough about art principles to apply them more broadly. But one shouldn't make the mistake of thinking such a program provides an art education. Edited June 15, 2011 by zenjenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 That looks cute and fun for something to do on the side, but it should be known that those kind of art programs are not truly art instruction. True art instruction doesn't instruct on "how to draw a koala" or "how to draw a car", it involves study of the elements and principles of art and design so that they can be used as tools to draw or paint anything. Learning to draw that koala is akin to learning how to write the equation "35 x 7 = 245" with no understanding of how multiplication works. I have a bachelor's degree in art and worked some years as a professional illustrator and graphic designer before having kids. I've never seen a a real art education curriculum for sale, per se, though I haven't actually looked. Most seem to be similar to this. I taught an art course last year for home schoolers (a 12 week course ) and none of my students - even those who had extensive experience taking kids' art classes, had ever learned about even the most basic principles of art prior to my class. Not to say that "Learn 2 Draw" can't be fun or that there's anything wrong with spending time with a program like that, and it is probable that by doing those lessons enough a student would pick up enough about art principles to apply them more broadly. But one shouldn't make the mistake of thinking such a program provides an art education. I'd love to hear your thoughts on books for the 5 to 10 age range that could help them to start learning these aspects. Not curriculum, just books? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenjenn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is the first book that comes to mind, absolutely. More for the instructor to read, rather than the child. Anything that develops an awareness of the basic principles of art and design is foundational. If you know about art, as I do, books aren't really necessary, but just scanning through Amazon, something like "Dynamic Art Projects for Children" might be a good resource for a homeschooling parent. Art cannot be learned from books. Art is learned from observing and creating. For a true art education, the student learns to look at the world differently - he learns to de-construct what he is seeing (into shape, light & shadow, texture, pattern, line, form) and re-construct that in the form of art. At young ages he needs assignments and projects that focuses on these powers of observation, deconstruction, and reconstruction. Because of this, art is a difficult subject for a non-artist to teach, unless the non-artist learns along with the student how to see things differently. People who know nothing about art tend to draw using symbols (put very simply, such as a square with a triangle on top to symbolize a house), and if their student also uses symbols to draw and the teacher doesn't have the artistically critical eye necessary to point it out, not much progress is made. As you develop these skills, it doesn't matter if no one taught you how to draw a koala. If you want to draw a koala, you do, based on what you observe about the koala's shape, texture, contours, etc. If you want to make the cute cartoon koala, you take what you observe about a real koala and exaggerate and distort to the desired effect. And you can apply those skills to everything, and in the style that suits you best (as opposed to the style of the artist who creates the "How 2 Draw" book.) Edited June 15, 2011 by zenjenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenjenn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 (edited) Also I'd say, for most kids, age 5 is too young for a *really* formal art education. At that age I think free expression is best. Around age 8 is the minimum at which I'd make any effort to try to focus an awareness of the fundamental principles. Developing those skills takes spacial awareness, fine motor control, etc, that just may not be present in lower elementary. Certainly some basics about shape, color, texture, form, etc, are appropriate, however - playing with media, getting the feel for it, mixing colors, using scissor skills, manipulating pieces and assembling them, etc. Edited June 15, 2011 by zenjenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Thanks for your responses. I was just curious on your thoughts. We have Artistic Pursuits that teaches a bit about art history and some of the processes, but we don't do it very often. I am definitely not an artist. My husband's parents are both artists, but they live in Colorado. We are actually hoping to move there in the future :) For the most part, my daughter (8) draws all the time, whatever she wants. My son is starting to take her lead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I would argue that Mark Kistler's lessons (we use Draw Squad) does teach basic principles of drawing through easy and cute line drawings. Lessons include foreshortening, surface, shadow, density, contour, overlapping, and size at beginning, intermediate, and advance levels. He also talks about attitude and daily practice. It's through these step-by-step basic drawings that you learn to use these methods of showing perspective, and they translate to other projects outside the curriculum. I checked out Ed Emberley books from the library when I was a kid and taught myself to draw with them. They are even more basic and don't cover the things I listed about at all. However, they taught me to see, and I was able to move onto more advance drawings. We've only made it through the first 6 lessons of Draw Squad, and my kids' ability to draw has improved greatly. They are already applying what they've learned to other drawings where they don't have step-by-step instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I would argue that Mark Kistler's lessons does teach basic principles of drawing through easy and cute line drawings. Lessons include foreshortening, surface, shadow, density, contour, overlapping, and size at beginning, intermediate, and advance levels. He also talks about attitude and daily practice. It's through these step-by-step basic drawings that you learn to use these methods of showing perspective, and they translate to other projects outside the curriculum. :iagree: Kistler's does teach several art concepts that can be applied elsewhere. It isn't like those simple How to Draw a Cat type books. Thanks JoAnn for showing your son's drawing! It's wonderful and it gives us more incentive to use the program. I need to schedule it in or we won't get to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 I would argue that Mark Kistler's lessons (we use Draw Squad) does teach basic principles of drawing through easy and cute line drawings. Lessons include foreshortening, surface, shadow, density, contour, overlapping, and size at beginning, intermediate, and advance levels. He also talks about attitude and daily practice. It's through these step-by-step basic drawings that you learn to use these methods of showing perspective, and they translate to other projects outside the curriculum. Yes, this is the impression I got from the sample lessons, and it's one of the reasons why we're going to go with it. I learned a few things for sure! And JoAnn, thank you for sharing that adorable photo of your son and his fabulous art work! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 We've been very slowly (meaning do a lesson every other week or so) his Draw Squad book. The improvement in my kids' drawing ability after less than a 1/3 of the book is amazing. I've been looking at that offer; it's the only thing I've seen on the co-op that has tempted me. Here's a link to one of my 9 year old's drawings from the book. He could barely draw a recognizable house before starting lessons. My 6 yr old did half of a lesson and improved a ton and people who saw his drawings were amazed. My 8 yr old often draws himself things like your son's. Thanks for sharing. I will show it to him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JadeOrchidSong Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I would argue that Mark Kistler's lessons (we use Draw Squad) does teach basic principles of drawing through easy and cute line drawings. Lessons include foreshortening, surface, shadow, density, contour, overlapping, and size at beginning, intermediate, and advance levels. He also talks about attitude and daily practice. It's through these step-by-step basic drawings that you learn to use these methods of showing perspective, and they translate to other projects outside the curriculum. I checked out Ed Emberley books from the library when I was a kid and taught myself to draw with them. They are even more basic and don't cover the things I listed about at all. However, they taught me to see, and I was able to move onto more advance drawings. We've only made it through the first 6 lessons of Draw Squad, and my kids' ability to draw has improved greatly. They are already applying what they've learned to other drawings where they don't have step-by-step instructions. :iagree: We bought this book too and my two boys only did a few lessons in it and they both improved a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 This thread inspired me to do a more thorough review of the book. It includes 10 of my kids' drawings to show their progress through just 6 of the 30 lessons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veggiegal Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Joann, Thanks for the detailed review--very helpful! I left a comment at your blog too. I've very excited about trying his materials with my soon-to-be (this is what 'rising' mean on this board, yes?) 2nd and 4th grade boys who love art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma4Boys Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I used the Draw Squad book for my 10 year old and he really loved it. We did a section per week and it was informative but low pressure. Super easy for me (who had an 8, 6 & 4 ds at the time also) - he would read the book himself and complete the activities. I gave him an art tablet that had a spiral top and each of his lessons were completed in that. It was fun to flip through and see the progression from week to week. He learned a lot of art terminology as well. I highly recommend it!! Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I've found that my kids do a lot better work when I'm walking them through the assignments. They speed through it and get sloppy when allowed to do it on their own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momma4Boys Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I hear ya! I dont think I will be able to do the same with my younger 3 - I will get to learn to draw too! It will be fun :D Nicole Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walkermamaof4 Posted June 16, 2011 Share Posted June 16, 2011 We are loving Draw Squad online. My son's art work outside of using it has definitely improved as he applies what he has learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmp Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 My kids are having a tv free week this week so my son has started drawing again. We have the Draw Squad book, love it, but haven't made it through all of the lessons and haven't used it in quite awhile. Anyway, I was so impressed with my son's drawings this week and how he used elements from the Draw Squad lessons in his drawings. I'm going to dig the book out so he can continue to improve on his drawing. Another thing I like about Draw Squad is how it encourages the student to use their imagination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springmama Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 For this price, it's hard to go wrong! I have three little ones. One of them is bound to fall in love with this. My only hesitation is that it's only drawing lessons. My dd likes to paint and make things with clay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllBoys Posted August 4, 2011 Share Posted August 4, 2011 We started using Mark Kistler last year and the boys do the lessons on their own. As far as talent in drawing, let's just say we were all still trying to master stick people. Now, when one of the boys is drawing something (not part of a lesson) we are very surprised at how the lessons have improved their skill. It is hard to believe the progress they have made, and in a very low-key lesson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenjenn Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 I know this thread is old, but people Google up old threads and I felt the need to post. I need to eat crow after what I remembered posting on this thread in the past. There was a deal on Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op so I went ahead and bought a Kistler program for my kids. They remained hungry for more art lessons than I felt inclined to give them personally at this late date when I am bogged down with end of year and pre summer camp stuff. I remembered some here recommended it and the price was right so I figured why not. There IS definitely much more depth than it appears! After so many of those how-to-draw-a-(fill in the blank) crap books, I had assumed this was more of the same as that is how it appears at a glance. I was wrong! He does definitely hit on a lot of principles while hiding under the guise of how-to-draw-a-(fill in the blank) which kids seem to INSIST on wanting. Some said the videos were fast but my kids can keep up. They have had a lot of art instruction, so they dove right in to some of the intermediate and advanced topics and could keep right up. So I'd say it would be maximized with kids who have had other art instruction - I can see why kids with none would need to pause a lot. After just a couple days of watching his videos: 9-year-old's lesson: 11-year-old's lesson: Again, they went into it knowing how to draw fairly well but this did kick it up a notch, even for copying an instructed composition. Crow eaten. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Victoria~ Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 The co-op has the sale running again and I am totally going to see if my son likes one of the free lessons! Thanks for pulling up this old post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 I know this thread is old, but people Google up old threads and I felt the need to post. I need to eat crow after what I remembered posting on this thread in the past. There was a deal on Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op so I went ahead and bought a Kistler program for my kids. They remained hungry for more art lessons than I felt inclined to give them personally at this late date when I am bogged down with end of year and pre summer camp stuff. I remembered some here recommended it and the price was right so I figured why not. There IS definitely much more depth than it appears! After so many of those how-to-draw-a-(fill in the blank) crap books, I had assumed this was more of the same as that is how it appears at a glance. I was wrong! He does definitely hit on a lot of principles while hiding under the guise of how-to-draw-a-(fill in the blank) which kids seem to INSIST on wanting. Some said the videos were fast but my kids can keep up. They have had a lot of art instruction, so they dove right in to some of the intermediate and advanced topics and could keep right up. So I'd say it would be maximized with kids who have had other art instruction - I can see why kids with none would need to pause a lot. After just a couple days of watching his videos: 9-year-old's lesson: 11-year-old's lesson: Again, they went into it knowing how to draw fairly well but this did kick it up a notch, even for copying an instructed composition. Crow eaten. Your sons did some great work!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zenjenn Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Daughters! But thanks :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelanieM Posted June 18, 2014 Author Share Posted June 18, 2014 I know this thread is old, but people Google up old threads and I felt the need to post. I need to eat crow after what I remembered posting on this thread in the past. There was a deal on Homeschool Buyer's Co-Op so I went ahead and bought a Kistler program for my kids. They remained hungry for more art lessons than I felt inclined to give them personally at this late date when I am bogged down with end of year and pre summer camp stuff. I remembered some here recommended it and the price was right so I figured why not. There IS definitely much more depth than it appears! After so many of those how-to-draw-a-(fill in the blank) crap books, I had assumed this was more of the same as that is how it appears at a glance. I was wrong! He does definitely hit on a lot of principles while hiding under the guise of how-to-draw-a-(fill in the blank) which kids seem to INSIST on wanting. Some said the videos were fast but my kids can keep up. They have had a lot of art instruction, so they dove right in to some of the intermediate and advanced topics and could keep right up. So I'd say it would be maximized with kids who have had other art instruction - I can see why kids with none would need to pause a lot. After just a couple days of watching his videos: 9-year-old's lesson: 11-year-old's lesson: Again, they went into it knowing how to draw fairly well but this did kick it up a notch, even for copying an instructed composition. Crow eaten. Thanks for coming back with an update! Your kids' work looks fabulous! We haven't done anything with MK for a while, but seeing your post and samples today is just the incentive I need for us to jump back in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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