Learn to Draw with Creating A Masterpiece {A Review}

We are always looking for ways to add art and creativity into our homeschool routine, so when the chance to review the Drawing Program from Creating a Masterpiece came up with the Homeschool Crew Review I said, “Yes, please!”

With this online program, budding artists (all ages!) are guided through step-by-step lessons with Sharon Hofer. A master artist, Ms. Hofer talks you through each step in her video lessons. She explains and demonstrates various drawing techniques as you draw right along with her.

How It Works:

After setting up your subscription, members receive immediate access to the lessons in four different levels – there are a total of 29 drawing projects spread out between the Beginner Level and Levels One, Two and Three. In this self-paced program you may choose projects in any order, any level.

All you have to do is click on the image of the project you want to do. You’ll find a description of the subject, a button for the supplies list and a button if you need to purchase supplies. Listed below these are you’ll see the link(s) to the video lessons.

Each project is divided into short video tutorials. They can be paused and repeated as often as you wish in order to follow the direction and lead of Ms. Hofer. She recommends you work at your own pace, taking time to get each step just the way you want it.

Because the projects are set up with these short video sections, students can work the projects in small doses. You might find some projects move along quickly, finishing in one or two sittings. Other projects may need to be broken up into several sessions, spreading your drawing sessions out over several days. You can customize your schedule to suit.

Following the steps and demonstration provided, you and/or your students will complete your masterpieces in a short time.

Supplies Needed:

To finish the projects in the Drawing Program, you’ll need a handful of items. You may have some around the house already, but there are links provided on the website for everything/anything you’ll need. Supplies include:

• white drawing paper
• vellum
• charcoal sticks
• sketching pencils
• colored pencils
• gum eraser
• pencil eraser

We found it easy for four of us to share supplies, which makes it easy on my budget!

How We Used It:

Before beginning any projects, I looked over the supply lists for all the projects. I gathered up any supplies we already had on hand and made a shopping list for anything we still might need. The instructor recommends using the best quality materials you can afford for the best outcome. Good quality tools will produce the best quality artwork. I used most of the recommendations on the website, and ordered them from the art supplier she linked to because I found they were the best price. (I did have a coupon and was able to get free shipping. All the supplies could be found at a local arts/crafts store or through your favorite online supplier as well. It’s your choice.)

With all our supplies ready, we clicked on the ‘Projects’ tab on the top menu bar and scrolled down to find the drawing projects.  I told my children they could choose anything that interested them.

The lessons started with a brief explanation of what we would be drawing, the supplies we’d be using, and a few tips to make the project go smoothly. I was impressed with the knowledge of our instructor. She taught us how to look at design and shape, how to see whether a grouping of items is pleasing to the eye.

We learned basic concepts like how lines are either straight or curved. We were introduced to terms like value and gradation and had opportunity to put them into practice in our drawings. Did you know the color purple a key color to creating effective shadows? Mrs. Hofer taught us that!

After the introduction to a project, the teacher talked us through sketching the general placement, outline and shapes of the subject. Then she pointed out the ways we would be bringing out the details, shadows and highlights. All along the way we imitated on our own paper what she was producing on hers.

My children and I worked on projects in several different ways. For one project, my three students sat together for ‘art class’ while viewing the project lessons, pausing the video as needed and working until they finished. The results were amazing! Each unique, but also similar.

We also worked individually, in our own free time, to create artwork independently. The lessons are clear and easy to follow. It was easy to adapt the projects to a group, an individual, or just mom and child working together.

Below you can see a few of our finished projects. There is a wide range of subject matter. Seasonal, like the fall pumpkins, still like the lantern, wildlife like the penguins, combinations like the pet cat viewing the full moon – something for everyone! We have worked projects from the first 3 levels with little to no difficulty. We look forward to creating masterpieces from the fourth level as well.

What We Think:

See the group of drawings above? Those four (and more) were drawn by my children and myself! We have no formal instruction, yet we created masterpieces worthy of framing and displaying in our home (or a gallery somewhere!) We will continue drawing, creating artwork using these lessons, creating gifts for others and masterpieces for our home. This program has also inspired my children to draw what the see, not just what is in their lessons. How wonderful is that?!

Using a homeschool art curriculum such as the Drawing Program from Creating a Masterpiece is a great way to add drawing instruction to your child’s day, or nurturing that creative side of yourself! With just a few supplies and internet access you can begin creating masterpieces of your own. We are as thrilled with the year-long subscription to these drawing lessons as we were with the other art lessons available from Creating A Masterpiece, which we reviewed a while back.

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Would you like to see the drawings of my fellow crew mates? Just click on the image below to see what others think about these drawing lessons.