Drawing with Graphite Pencils: An Artistic Pursuits Review

DISCLOSURE: I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY PRODUCT THROUGH THE HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW

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One thing that homeschooling has certainly taught me is that learning is always possible. As a girl growing up, I never knew ‘how’ to do art and always just felt I wasn’t good at it. After several years in the homeschool mindset, thankfully I’ve learned better. As a result, my kids have always loved to try their hand at anything to do with art and excited to learn new skills. One of our favorite art curriculum companies, ARTistic Pursuits , is one of the reasons why. They offer a variety books and programs for all ages and today we are reviewing one of their book and online courses, Beginner Level, Art Core 1, Drawing with Graphite Pencils.

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What We Received:

We received one hard cover book, Beginner Level, Art Core 1, Drawing with Graphite Pencils that contains 1 DVD, 1 Blu-Ray of corresponding videos and access to the same as an online course. Art supplies are not included, but can be purchased on your own or through Artistic Pursuits.

My 7 year old’s take on Unit 7’s Animal Form.

My 7 year old’s take on Unit 7’s Animal Form.

How It Works:

This program is designed for 4th grade to adult, though my 2nd grade daughter participated and certainly had some success. This program can certainly be parent-directed, as there are great opportunities for demonstration and discussion. The online course includes the videos also contained on the physical discs and there is digital access to the textbook. This allows users to access the content however they would like. Since there are not videos for every lesson in the textbook, even though you choose the online course, there is still content to be covered outside of the videos. If you hand it to a child and say go, that part might go unnoticed for a bit.

Each unit contains 4 lessons within it:

  • Art Materials Video Lesson

  • Creativity Lesson

  • Art Appreciation Lesson

  • Master Lesson

With all of these themes, you can see how easily it is to include outside sources when available or still get a wide variety of education solely from this text.

From Unit 7: Animal Forms

From Unit 7: Animal Forms

After a lesson one day, my 10 year old son still wanted to draw so he drew the scene he was sitting in.

After a lesson one day, my 10 year old son still wanted to draw so he drew the scene he was sitting in.

What We Thought:

We always enjoy Artistic Pursuits products and this one is no different. The videos are clear and enjoyable. The tasks are flexible and easily adjusted for age or ability. For deeper learning and practice, the illustrations are beautiful and detailed. My 10 year old son had no complaints and all things felt age/skill-level appropriate. My 7 year old daughter who is crafty and game for anything certainly wanted to be involved. For the most part, her experience was positive too. As you would expect, some of it was challenging for her and her own disposition doesn’t appreciate things being “too hard.” We reminded her that it was intended for a 4th grader so her brother was likely going to have an easier time and she quickly moved on. After those experiences, I certainly agree with the age level. I certainly would let younger ones try if they want to, but expectations need to be adjusted.

In the first unit, students are asked to collect some objects to draw outlines From the character bin, my daughter chose and drew these: a frog, Piglet, and a My Little Pony character.

In the first unit, students are asked to collect some objects to draw outlines From the character bin, my daughter chose and drew these: a frog, Piglet, and a My Little Pony character.

Artistic Pursuits is a great art program and a strong investment for your art curriculum library. These are lessons that can be revisited as development increases or simply just to improve skills. The combination of drawing elements with creativity and art appreciation can create a variety of different learning opportunities that can be repeated and adjusted. Especially when you start collecting some of their other books, you truly have art education at your fingertips. I highly recommend this company and their products to everyone!

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Follow Artistic Pursuits on Social Media:



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtisticPursuitsInc
Twitter: @ARTisticPursui1
Instagram: @artisticpursuitsinc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk75eIpDhZUqbr1On5xEQJQ

Artistic Pursuits has other books and the Homeschool Review Crew tried out several of them! Click the link below to see what those were like!

Amy Butler