Suzybearybake Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 I have posted on this subject before but am still undecided ( boys 9, 10, 12). I have spoken with the Rainbow Resource lady and she recommends Artistic Pursuits. I have looked on their web site and the only lessons shown do not seem to give any actual writing instruction. They explain a concept and then say basically now go draw a landscape. We have used a Lamb's Book of Art but it seemed to be more of a glorified coloring book than an actual book of art lessons. I want to spend more time learning how to draw a fish than how to draw lines on a fish in the workbook. Are Barry Stebbings other books like that also or does he include better instruction at the higher levels (The Book of Many Colors, How Great Thou Art, or God and the History of Art)? What about Visual Manna's Master Drawing or Art Adventures in Narnia books? The Rainbow Resource lady said I would not be happy with them and should go with Artistic Pursuits. I wish that I could just look at the actual books. What I want is an actual art program with lots of detailed instruction explaning how to use a grid, perspective, landscapes, and the basics of drawing. I want to use lots of color with various media such as watercolor, chalks, pastels, pencils, and different papers. I don't want to have to find something to draw and have to just figure it out myself. I want to be shown how step by step. I want to be able to use this with all 3 boys together. If it were inexpensive and included art appreciation that would be an added plus. OK ladies, name that art program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Have you looked at McIntyre's Drawing Textbook or Mark Kistler's Draw Squad? They don't cover everything you're looking for (especially color) but are very good for basic drawing, including shapes, depth, perspectives, shadows, etc. Although his examples are all black and white and cartoonish, with colored pencils and softer lead, they looked much more realistic. I really liked the drawing textbook. It was mostly examples (ie. not set up as lessons) in progressing order of difficulty, step by step, smallish (6" x 8") and black & white. It was great for travelling; we could pull it out and doodle in a restaurant! Unfortunately, it disappeared into my ds's room (the black hole) never to be seen again. I think I got the first one on e-bay. Kistler worked with McIntyre for awhile and then did a PBS show called Draw Squad. The book is based on the show. It is basically McIntyre's technique with a lot more verbage and space to draw in the book. (I don't like writing in books!) The book itself is bigger (8 1/2 x 11) and therefore less portable. I'd be interested in something that adds in color too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in MO Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 A friend just showed me her "Draw Squad" book (also mentioned in above post). She's had a lot of success with it and has used it with multiple aged children. I thought it looked easier to implement than the "Drawing With Children" that I have. Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 which you can also get from Rainbow Resources. It's inexpensive enough that you could buy one ArtPak and see if you like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle My Bell Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 Have you looked at Mona Brookes Drawing with Children? Your library may have this book. It sounds like what you are looking for. http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Children-Mona-Brookes/dp/0874778271 I would also recommend Discovering Great Artists for Art Appreciation and FUN FUN FUN project ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 You could check out the Rod & Staff Art books. They seem to have a good variety and deal with the things you mentioned. http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Art/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenschooler Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 http://www.harmonyfinearts.com/ Barb's program incorporates Artistic Pursuits, but you get art appreciation, as well. There is also music appreciation. I've got this on my list for next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted April 22, 2008 Share Posted April 22, 2008 You could check out the Rod & Staff Art books. They seem to have a good variety and deal with the things you mentioned. http://www.rodandstaffbooks.com/list/Rod_and_Staff_Art/ Actually, Art With a Purpose is not published by Rod and Staff (it's the series I recommended above); it is "prepared" by Share-a-Care Publications. R&S is just one vendor of Art With a Purpose. Developing Motor Skills is a R&S product, but not Art With a Purpose. Shekinah Curriculum Cellar also sells Art With a Purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalynnrmc Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I've been looking into art curriculums as well, and have my eye on How to Teach Art to Children at the current moment. Marking thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMarie Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Which level of Artistic Pursuits are you looking at? Although I love the Elementary series for younger students, you are right that they do not teach "how to" draw. But, here's the good news for your age children... The level 4-6 Artistic Pursuits covers elements of art. Book 1 covers drawing techniques (shading, depth, rhythm, balance, etc.) Book 2 covers color theory I have been looking through the 4-6 books a lot lately, getting ready to start this month. Each lesson has clear goals, step-by-step instructions, prints of masterpieces to demonstrate each technique, and no teacher preparation needed. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalynnrmc Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I agree with you about Artistic Pursuits. I'd not looked at that one until tonight, so thank you for posting about it! On the surface, it looks like it would be great. It goes along with our history times, etc. My oldest (ds9, 4th gr) is studying the ancients. Book 1 did not sit well with me for him, because it does not go over the techniques. The next level of books does that, but as you stated still does not give any instruction as to the execution of the lesson. Have you looked at Draw and Write Through History? I like the looks of this as well, but am not sure if it is thorough enough for what I'm wanting. It also is currently in the works, and only has the first two levels currently published. I'd love something like this to cover American history, as we are "supplementing" (because we've switched methods and as a result MISSED any sort of US history) with a daily American Minute warm-up. Anyway. From what you've posted, I think your goals for art may be similar to my own. I've marked the thread, but I'd love to know what you look at and end up deciding. :) Would love to converse with you about it to help us both decide! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hose Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Have you looked at McIntyre's Drawing Textbook or Mark Kistler's Draw Squad? They don't cover everything you're looking for (especially color) but are very good for basic drawing, including shapes, depth, perspectives, shadows, etc. Although his examples are all black and white and cartoonish, with colored pencils and softer lead, they looked much more realistic. I really liked the drawing textbook. It was mostly examples (ie. not set up as lessons) in progressing order of difficulty, step by step, smallish (6" x 8") and black & white. It was great for travelling; we could pull it out and doodle in a restaurant! Unfortunately, it disappeared into my ds's room (the black hole) never to be seen again. I think I got the first one on e-bay. Kistler worked with McIntyre for awhile and then did a PBS show called Draw Squad. The book is based on the show. It is basically McIntyre's technique with a lot more verbage and space to draw in the book. (I don't like writing in books!) The book itself is bigger (8 1/2 x 11) and therefore less portable. I'd be interested in something that adds in color too. :iagree: These are both great programs. I suggest checking with your local library to see if they have the Draw Squad videos. They are very helpful and would be perfect for the ages of your children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMarie Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 I am really interested in comparing these curriculum. Did you find that Drawing Textbook had enough instructions for your children? I have the book, but the lessons seem to be "I'm going to draw this shape, then you copy me." and that's all. Am I missing something? (Seriously not be confrontational, I don't know how to use this book!) :001_huh: Do you give your children further assignments? I like the looks of Draw Squad, but what I saw seemed to be very much along the same line of Barry Stebbins How Great Thou Art (which I have.) Can anyone compare/contrast them? It looks like a lot of fun.... ... about Artistic Pursuits...does not give any instruction as to the execution of the lesson. Could you expand on this statement? What should be added? I wish AP Book 1 would start with a lesson on how to "look" at an object and draw what you see, more Mona Brookes & Betty Edwards style. (I want their ideas in a user-friendly format.) But, it does build those skills throughout the book. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat in MI Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 They are simple to use and have some pretty good results. I always thought they were too simplistic and didn't give them a thought until I noticed we were not getting any art done, so I pulled them out again. They really are very nice programs. Pretty much open and go and both my kiddos are enjoying them. HTH Blessings, Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 The McIntyre Drawing Textbook is pretty much "I draw this shape and you copy me." I can't find it right now, but I vaguely remember some explanations of how to do the 3-d of a square or cylinder (fore shortening I think he called it) and how to draw shadows. The only thing I mentioned was that we could do nicer blending so the pencil strokes didn't show, which they already knew how to do from their Main Lesson Books. McIntyre's examples looked like they had been scribbled in pen in a hurry. I didn't give them assignments. We were in Switzerland, in an apartment with 4 English books total, and once everything closed at 5 there wasn't a whole lot else to do. We sat at the table and drew til we got bored and played Jass. They happily drew the same item several times until it came out how they wanted it. At any rate, my then 7 year old wasn't coordinated enough to do it but for the then 9 and 12 year olds it was perfect. There really was enough instruction for them to draw the pictures. More would have probably turned them off (ie, felt like work not play). After all, I draw this letter and you copy it worked rather well for writing and birthday cakes and spacemen are a lot more interesting. Since mine disappeared and my youngest is now old enough to do it, does anyone have any idea where I could buy another? There aren't any on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFSinIL Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 http://www.homeschoolart.com/ Atelier is GREAT! A short video shows the teacher and students demonstrating the lesson. You get a binder with info on how to teach the lesson, too - supplies to get, etc. This is a wonderful, fun program!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzybearybake Posted April 23, 2008 Author Share Posted April 23, 2008 We were trying to decide between Visual Manna, Artistic Pursuits, and How Great Thou Art. My oldest has worked through the lessons in Drawing with Children and Drawing Textbook. I really liked the look of AP but for the samples online they didn't give enough step by step instruction. Now draw a underwater scene. How exactly do you draw a fish with out something to look at? I guess we are just not quite imaginative enough. No one listed Visual Manna as a top choice , we could not find any samples to compare, so we ruled it out. My son looked online at AP and Barry Stebbings programs. He ended up choosing Feed My Sheep. I have not seen it yet but we chose it based on four criteria. Ds liked the way lessons were presented. It has DVD instructions. It is geared for multiple ages so all three boys can do it together. It was reccommended by Classical Christian Education's website and Cathy Duffy as a top pick. We ordered it yesterday. I will let you know what we think when we get to look at the whole thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In The Great White North Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Adoremus sells it. Amazon had a few other books by him too. Has anyone tried Flowers and Trees or Art Elements? In my search, I also found that McIntyre has a website that sells the videos of it. http://www.avdp.com/ They're kind of expensive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brindee Posted April 23, 2008 Share Posted April 23, 2008 Actually, Art With a Purpose is not published by Rod and Staff (it's the series I recommended above); it is "prepared" by Share-a-Care Publications. R&S is just one vendor of Art With a Purpose. Developing Motor Skills is a R&S product, but not Art With a Purpose. Shekinah Curriculum Cellar also sells Art With a Purpose. Thankyou for pointing that out. I hadn't looked at it closely enough. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra314 Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 We are using Art Adventures at Home Volume 1 by Pattye Carlson and Jean Soyke. It covers basic elements of art (line, shape, form, color, and texture). To supplement we are also using The Usborne Book of Art Ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisawa Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 [quote name=Michelle I would also recommend Discovering Great Artists for Art Appreciation and FUN FUN FUN project ideas. I just dug this out of box recently.... It is a great resource! Lots to do... and lookes enjoyable... *Ü* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisawa Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 http://www.harmonyfinearts.com/ Barb's program incorporates Artistic Pursuits, but you get art appreciation, as well. There is also music appreciation. I've got this on my list for next year. This is the way we are going....... Im really looking forward to it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalynnrmc Posted April 24, 2008 Share Posted April 24, 2008 Yes, as a pp mentioned, what I see in AP is "draw something you saw today" without giving step-by-step directions on how to draw anything. (To me, drawing circles that come together to form a horse makes good sense. LOL) Part of my indecision is that I'm not certain WHAT I want, because I'm not art literate whatsoever. I guess what I'm looking for is something that teaches how to look at something in order to see the basics - like drawing the shapes and then adding shading and color. KWIM? Lots of great suggestions here, and I need to follow a few more links! Thanks, ladies! (And thanks, op!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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