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 was I compensated in any other way.
Homeschool art can intimidate parents who don’t consider themselves artists. I’m one of those parents. Even though I appreciate art and have taken a couple of art courses in college, I don’t feel confident teaching art to my children. Beyond the Stick Figure Art School is for parents like me who prefer their kids learn art from a qualified individual. The instructor, a professional, degreed artist, takes you through a step-by-step process to learn art skills and techniques you can apply to all your artistic endeavors.
I was fortunate to receive Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses to use over the past several weeks with my children. Intended for ages 5-95, this course for the whole family has over 180 lessons to last you an entire school year. You get lifetime access, so you can go back and redo favorite lessons, or take your time, and space out the courses over more than one year.
Description of Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course
We got off to a great start with the drawing course. We had individual sketchbooks and shared a set of Prismacolor markers. My kindergartener, middle schooler, and I participated in the lessons together. The drawing course is broken up into three parts.
Part One Lessons
The lessons in part one started out very basic and were perfect for my six-year-old son. He loved searching the house for circles, dots, curved lines, straight lines and drawing them in his sketchpad. The next lessons interested him too, because he got to make pictures using just one shape or line. For example, we drew various sized circles and colored them.
This basic introduction to the types of shapes, where you practice drawing them and making designs, was not appealing to my middle schooler, but was engaging for my kindergartener.
In part one there’s a lesson on primary and secondary colors for some basic color theory. This was another lesson my son enjoyed.
Towards the end of part one, there are some lessons on overlapping shapes and drawing flowers. My son gladly participated, and I was surprised at what he was able to do. In the images below, you can spot his pink, overlapping clouds and his big, yellow flower with the blue leaf.
Part Two Lessons
The instructor begins this section with making a one-page color chart for each of the Prismacolor markers. She explains how making this tool is what professional artists do, so they can use it as a reference.
As we moved into part two, the lessons got too advanced for my son. They involved practicing accurate drawings of curved lines in a series of boxes.
First, we traced the lines on the printable that’s provided. Then, we used a dot-to-dot version to help guide us. Finally, we drew the lines free hand in blank boxes. The blank boxes were not provided for each lesson, so I had to quickly make my own with a ruler.
The goal is to see how well you can replicate the lines, so they all look the same. This was better suited for my daughter and me. We had the ability to concentrate, whereas my son didn’t have the patience or ability to attend to detail. He still participated by free-drawing during those lessons. In fact, he loved creating his own “mazes” by randomly connecting the dots.
Part Three Lessons
We did not get to part three, but this is the part where your student finds satisfaction from doing all the hard drawing practice in part two. I wish the instructor hinted at what was to come in the final lessons, because part two is lengthy, and my daughter was finding it too repetitive.
However, if she knew there was a surprise in the end, when all of it would come together and make sense, I think she would have felt more motivated to continue.
The surprise ending is amazing! All the images that from the previous lessons are pieced together in a final blank 4×4 paper to form a beautiful flower.
Video Format and Settings
The videos in the drawing course can be hard to hear, even at maximum volume. You may want to use an external speaker if you have any competing background noise.
The lessons don’t have titles other than the day number. This can make it hard to go back and quickly find a specific video you’re looking for.
The videos are set up so that you progress in order from one to the next. If you want to skip ahead to other lessons or courses, you first have to mark each previous lesson as complete. Once you’ve done that, you can select any video to watch in the entire program.
UPDATE: May 15, 2020
Here are some tweaks Beyond the Stick Figure Art School has recently made to improve user experience:
- All course videos are open and do not require sequential completion–although we still recommend it.
- Vimeo has improved the video experience by installing volume control and full screen options on all videos.
- Drawing part 2 has more options to help it move along more quickly for younger students.
Positives of Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course
Short video lessons
We were able to squeeze most of our lessons in right before lunch each day. The videos are just a few minutes in length.
Minimal materials and preparation required
Participants need a sketch pad and a twelve-pack set of Prismacolor markers. Cut copy paper into smaller rectangles and print templates for the lessons in advance. Then, all you need to do each day is grab your materials, login, and press play.
Creativity is encouraged
The instructor doesn’t insist that kids follow along with the exact designs she’s demonstrating. She talks about different options they could explore.
Focus is on developing drawing skill, not on making projects or crafts
Kids learn the techniques behind art. The instructor includes color theory and practices that real artists use.
Fun is one of the main goals
At the close of many lessons you’ll hear the instructor say, “Have fun with that!” She reminds you to stay relaxed and enjoy the process.
Practice is emphasized
I like the reminder that being artistic is something you can learn over time. It’s not something you’re just born with. This gives your kids confidence that they can be artists too.
Introduces good habits
Kids learn how to properly care for art materials, like their markers and brushes. The instructor shows them how to make reference tools, like color palettes.
Self grading using rubrics
At the end of each unit there is a three-point rubric for children to fill out. This gives them the opportunity to self-reflect on their work and effort.
Three Bonus Art Courses Included
Each additional homeschool art course is a great way to get familiar with different mediums. The three courses are Pen and Ink Techniques and Complete Watercolor, Introduction to Acrylic, and Introduction to 3D Design.
Pen and Ink Techniques
I loved the pen and ink course. Using very small watercolor paper, we created adorable meadows with hills in the background. I really liked how the instructor had us start small. This gave us instant gratification and didn’t overwhelm us. With the use of a fine point black Sharpie, watercolor paper, and a tube of watercolor paint, we were able to create something we were proud of.
Complete Watercolor
In this homeschool art course we learned various watercolor techniques. Starting with a monochrome painting, we practiced wetting the paper and making clouds. The instructor showed how to use washes to make the paint move on the paper. She demonstrated how to load the brush, pull the paint across the paper to make an even color, and drag the brush to make a sparkly water effect. We also learned how to control the lightness and darkness paint with water.
Introduction to Acrylic
We didn’t get to the acrylic course, but I watched the videos. Using a small mat board, you learn how to gradient the color for a background, add clouds using a finger technique, create different tones with a paper tower technique, make mountains with highlights and shadows, use a wet technique for realistic looking water, and make grass with a dry brush technique. In the last part of the acrylic course you experiment painting with Q-tips and toothpicks, learn to mix colors, and paint with a variety of colors.
Introduction to 3D Design
We didn’t get to the final bonus course either, but I know my son would have enjoyed 3D Design. In part one, the instructor shows you how form Sculpey polymer clay into a soft ball, so it’s ready to use. Then she shows you how to flatten the ball slightly with your thumb, and then use your thumb and finger to pinch and pull the clay, manipulating it into a small animal.
Next, you learn how to use a spoon to burnish the surface so it’s shiny, before you bake the clay. The instructor gives many suggestions for adding details and giving texture to your animal. Then she talks about the option of painting the clay animals with acrylics after they’re baked.
In part two you use more than one ball of clay. You learn how to cross-hatch with a needle tool to attach pieces of clay together securely, creating a coil pot.
In part three you switch to air dry clay, which requires more materials and gets a bit messy. You learn the techniques for creating a slab pot.
What I Loved About the Bonus Courses
To me, the bonus homeschool art courses are what make this program shine. My daughter and I found satisfaction in learning and doing something different in each lesson.
We were inspired by our results and felt like we could identify with real artists. In fact, we made some additional pen and ink and watercolor paintings to give to our grandmothers on Mother’s Day. We were proud of ourselves and confident that our art looked good!
Teaching homeschool art has never been my forte, so I was excited to receive Beyond the Stick Figure Complete Drawing Course PLUS 3 Bonus Courses. We’ve enjoyed using these homeschool art courses as a family. To read more reviews about Beyond the Stick Figure Art School go to the Homeschool Review Crew.
