Training Happy Hearts: Learn The Elements of Art and Composition at a High School Level {An Artistic Pursuits Inc. Review}

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Learn The Elements of Art and Composition at a High School Level {An Artistic Pursuits Inc. Review}

Disclaimer: I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor compensated in any other way.

Some links may be affiliate ones.

Would you like to see your child creating original works of art while learning about art history and art appreciation and developing techniques related to the elements of art an composition?

Brenda Ellis and company can help with that through her book ARTistic Pursuits, High School 9-12 Book One, The Elements of Art and Composition from Artistic Pursuits Inc.

My 12-year-old has been trying out the curriculum and likes it. I work alongside her sometimes and enjoy it, too.

Here's what daughter has to say about ARTistic Pursuits, High School 9-12 Book One, The Elements of Art and Composition:

I've used lower Level Artistic Pursuits Inc. books before and like them, so I was interested in seeing what the high school book is like even though I'm not in high school.

When we received the book, I realized that we did not have all the material we needed to do every art project. We are missing stick vine charcoal, but the handy art supplies list says it is not need until the second semester, so we'll get some later.

(Back to the book.) It is a spiral-bound, softcover art curriculum book with a clear protective cover. It lays flat so you an easily complete picture studies, learn art concepts, and do art projects.

There are 16 units in the book which cover topics such as:

space

lines

values

form

shape

and more. Typically, units follow the same pattern and are meant to be completed in two hour-long classes of about one hour over two weeks, but I used it at my own pace and sometimes extended projects.

She chose to add color to one of her first projects.

Some things I like about the book are the picture studies and project ideas.

Some things I don't like is all the reading. The book is text heavy for an art book. I'd rather see more examples and drawings or an optional audio or video component.

I think people my age or older would like this book. I will probably continue to use it. It is good and has certain lessons that are easier and certain ones that are more challenging for me. It has a good balance of ideas for creating, instruction, and learning about art history and appreciation.

So, as you can see, my daughter - even though a bit younger than the target age for ARTistic Pursuits, High School 9-12 Book One, The Elements of Art and Composition - likes it and would recommend it.

I would also add that my daughter has some reading challenges and, therefore, tends to prefer art curricula and projects that allow her to learn and succeed while using her creative strengths without coming head on with reading roadblocks.

With that in mind, I would say that if you have a child with pronounced reading challenges, you might plan to do some of the reading in this art curriculum together. However, if you have an average reader, please do not be dissuaded from this curriculum due to my daughter's comment about it being text heavy.

Honestly, as I read the text with her, I found it to be well laid out, conversational, and appropriate for a high school level book. It engaged, explained concepts and instructions, and conveyed facts and thoughts about art history and appreciation well.

Further, I appreciate how well-balanced the program is with:

Noticing textures...

the first lesson of each unit helping students build a visual vocabulary about a topic which is explained and words and pictures before students complete a creative exploration assignment.

the second lesson offering art appreciation and history and then a prompt to apply observations to self-created art.

the third lesson diving into techniques and encouraging students to use specific materials and tools to create original works of art.

the fourth lesson culminating the units learning with a project that incorporates techniques and elements of art and composition using a variety of references such as landscapes, photographs, still lie objects, and more. It also typically contains an image of a student sample.

The book also includes information for getting started for parents and student an evaluation rubric, a bibliography, and course information for high school transcripts. These are helpful features.

I would love to see a list of artists and artworks used for the art appreciation and history sections, a glossary, and an index added to the book as extra bonuses.ARTistic Pursuits, High School 9-12 Book One, The Elements of Art and Composition truly is a comprehensive art curriculum that high school age students, adults, and even interested and adept younger students, can use independently to discover creative strengths while learning about art history, art appreciation, and techniques.