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May 6, 2013 by: Heather Woodie

A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels Art Curriculum Review

What a delight it has been to work with A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels written by Tricia Hodges and Lucia Hames (Nana)! For several years we have been using Nana’s tutorials to enjoy art along with our nature studies. I’m enthusiastic about sharing our experiences with you so that you can enjoy some simple art in your homeschool.

Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk PastelsChalk Pastels Art Curriculum Review

Please note that I was given a copy of A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels in exchange for my review and this post does contain affiliate links to the book. If you choose to purchase this chalk pastel tutorial book through the links on this post, you’ll be supporting the work at Blog, She Wrote and I would be grateful.

A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels on the iPad mini 2What Do You Need to Get Started?

  • drawing paper – we like white sulphite paper which is good for wet and dry media
  • chalk pastels – you can buy inexpensive sets at craft stores
  • wax paper – or another place mat is optional to keep the chalk dust super easy to clean
  • damp paper towels – for wiping hands occasionally
  • a copy of A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels to be displayed on a screen while you work (computer, iPad, Kindle)

 

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Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

Some Advantages of Using A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels:

  • Quick and easy to implement
  • Great for art projects to span all the ages of your children
  • The tutorials are explained well and include pictures
  • Chalk pastels are very forgiving allowing even the most self proclaimed ardent non-artist to enjoy their results
  • There is a wonderful variety of subject matter – so you can pull this out to add art to many of your studies
  • Excellent tie in to nature studies
  • Cost effective at $19.99 with 45 tutorials
  • Recipes are included with the food tutorials
  • Bonus video material and tutorials

Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

How We Use A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels:

  • As a family for a simple, quick art lesson on a day when we need a change of scenery!
  • In conjunction with our nature studies – we often learn about something and then sketch it
  • Independently by allowing my artsy kids to read and try out different projects
  • To decorate our home – chalk pastel drawings make great wall hanging. When we need something new in our frames, it’s the only reason we need to joyfully pull out the chalks.

Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

Blog She Wrote: Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

I’m so thankful for first being introduced to Tricia and her tutorials through Barb at The Handbook of Nature Study. Our marsh drawings even made it into one of Barb’s newsletters and we’ve been chalking ever since.

Pulling out the chalks always brings a measure of peace to our day and A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels makes it even easier to implement. 

A Simple Start in Chalk PastelsYou won’t be disappointed in the results, so give it a try and let Tricia know how it went! She has an Art Tutorials Showcase Pinterest board and would love to feature your completed art work!

Discount Code for A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels

  • No lengthy supply list – just add chalk pastels and paper. An entire year of art tutorials for all ages together is just $19.99. Read more about it at Southern Hodgepodge.
  • If you decide to purchase A Simple Start in Chalk Pastels now and you win a copy in our giveaway, your money will be refunded in full.

~written by Heather, Blog She Wrote

Heather Woodie (31 Posts)

I’m a homeschooling mom to our fantastic four– two teens at home and two graduates off to university. I’m a former middle and high school biology teacher who has embraced the independent nature of homeschooling and I mentor my children through authentic, student driven projects and learning adventures. You can get practical homeschooling advice and take courses related to homeschooling high school at Blog, She Wrote.

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Comments

  1. Crystal says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:45 am

    My children would LOVE this! We’ve never tried anything like this before. Looks fun!!

    Reply
  2. Kel H says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:46 am

    What a wonderful giveaway– haven’t used chalk pastels in awhile but would love to give them another try. Art is just so much fun:)

    Reply
  3. Dianne says

    May 6, 2013 at 2:15 am

    I have used chalk pastels with my older children, but not with my youngest. She has tried water color paint and colored pencils. She loves both of them.

    Reply
  4. Martha says

    May 6, 2013 at 5:19 am

    This looks fun! I recently ordered the art program from See the Light. I’ll look into this next. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Karen says

    May 6, 2013 at 7:12 am

    We haven’t used chalk pastels before but I’ve bought the supplies. Just waiting for some motivation.

    Reply
  6. Michelle W. says

    May 6, 2013 at 7:16 am

    Yes, we have tried chalk pastels. We do like them, although I find them messy. 🙂 Right now we are enjoying combining oil pastels and watercolors.

    Reply
  7. Tiffani says

    May 6, 2013 at 7:27 am

    We love art and use a variety of materials, including chalk pastels. My favorite is probably watercolor, but it would be great to learn how to use our chalk pastels to greater advantage!

    Reply
  8. Janet says

    May 6, 2013 at 7:48 am

    We’ve just purchased some chalk pastels with the intent to begin art this summer. We’ve always done crafts, but not a true art class. We’d love this!

    Reply
  9. Jane says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:06 am

    We love chalk pastels and would love a book like this to help us learn more!

    Reply
  10. Hope says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:09 am

    We have used some of the Hodgepodge tutorials and had great fun doing so. We would really like to have the e-book. Chalk pastels are a wonderful medium!

    Reply
  11. Jenna DeMaria says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:14 am

    We added the love of art with Art DVD’s like Mike’s Imagination station.

    Reply
  12. Cindy B says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:26 am

    I love adding art into our day, and wish I could do more. I requested chalk pastels for Christmas but I haven’t gotten them out to use yet. This would be a great resource.

    Reply
  13. Sharon says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:29 am

    I have never done chalk pastels with my kids or even myself. I’d love to try it!

    Reply
  14. Vanessa says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:42 am

    Not sure why, but i have completely forgotten about the beauty of pastel’s …. i loved them when i was in school and now seeing this post, i am going to try my best to add it into our art curriculum! Thank you so much, for the reminder and the competition… (all the way from Australia.)

    Reply
  15. Nana says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:50 am

    Hello from Nana at Hodgepodge! I just wanted to send you a quick note and to tell you how wonderful your pastels are! I enjoyed seeing your progress and sent my very best wishes for more paintings! You ARE artists!

    Reply
  16. zalyndia powell says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:05 am

    My daughter would love this. We can’t get enough ary in this hous.

    Reply
  17. Diane says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:13 am

    I so want this product. Please enter me in the giveaway. I just bought lots of chalk and tan paper. Now ready for some guidance.
    Blessings
    Diane

    Reply
  18. Sam Lehmann says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:30 am

    We love Nana’s free lessons! So want to win this so we have an art next fall!

    Reply
  19. Angie B says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:50 am

    My daughters have tried Chalk Pastels before and enjoyed using them. I think they would benefit from some instruction, though. 🙂
    they love to draw using any medium.

    Reply
  20. Tammy says

    May 6, 2013 at 10:47 am

    We currently use washable paints and watercolors for painting. I can’t wait to start this with my kids!

    Reply
  21. Glennda says

    May 6, 2013 at 10:47 am

    We followed the Path to the Beach tutorial on her blog and loved it! Would love to have a copy of the book as well.

    Reply
  22. Jackie says

    May 6, 2013 at 10:49 am

    We’ve never tried chalk, we normally do paint. I think I would love this just as much as my girls!

    Reply
  23. Pat in Tenn says

    May 6, 2013 at 11:01 am

    My last daughter here homeschooling is very much into art and is studying Art for credit in high school. This will be a wonderful course to add in. Thank you for sharing about it!

    Reply
  24. tami says

    May 6, 2013 at 11:13 am

    Our children LOVE chalk pastels. This is their favorite medium even over paints! My son is excited to try Nanas lesson on baseball today:)

    Reply
  25. kelly says

    May 6, 2013 at 11:31 am

    we have tried painting (just a little) and I have all the stuff to try this. We would love to win (4 kids and mom!)

    Reply
  26. Heidi says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:22 pm

    We have been so blessed by Nana and Tricia!

    Reply
  27. Mandy says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    My children love pastels and I know that they would love to give this a try!

    Reply
  28. Caryn Block says

    May 6, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    This would be awesome! Art is seriously lacking in our homeschool, but kits like this make me feel that it could be actually doable. Thanks for offering this give-away.

    Reply
  29. Dinah says

    May 6, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    We love art! The last time we used pastels we had fun using a little water on q-tips for an added effect:) This book looks great, thanks for a giveaway.

    Reply
  30. Jessica A. says

    May 6, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    I would love to add more art into my homeschooling and this looks like a wonderful resource to have on hand!

    Reply
  31. Jenny says

    May 6, 2013 at 1:46 pm

    We’ve never done chalk pastels. I’ve done oil pastels and hated the stains, but I’ve been reading the Hodgepodge posts and getting excited at the idea of chalk pastels. It looks so fun and easy!

    Reply
  32. [email protected] says

    May 6, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    We would love this book! We own and have used chalk and oil pastels but I am really unsure of how to use them properly. My kids have watched all the art dvd’s from the local library so this would be a wonderful addition to our homeschool!

    Reply
  33. Kala says

    May 6, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    We have not really done any art. I haven’t known where to start! I think my kids would LOVE this!!

    Reply
  34. Eunice says

    May 6, 2013 at 5:59 pm

    We have some chalk, but have never used it because we weren’t sure how. It looks like a lot of fun. The kids like to do all kinds of art and I’m sure they will love the blending of this!

    Reply
  35. Kristen says

    May 6, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    My daughter enjoys using oil pastels. She’s only used chalk pastels once and found them too dry to work well. She takes an art class for homeschoolers at a local museum and greatly enjoys it.

    Reply
  36. Shannon Wallace says

    May 6, 2013 at 8:56 pm

    Hi there! We were actually inspired by Hodgepodge’s blog to give chalk pastels a try, because honestly…they look like they’re having way too much fun over there at her house!!

    We incorporate art loosely into our homeschool. Lots of free art time, nature journal, art instruction videos, etc. But I must say, if we win this book, we will use it for sure, and use it quite often! My son likes messy and creating art, and chalk pastels seem to be what he would probably like most of all. 🙂

    Reply
  37. Kimberlee says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    We just did are first pastel project a few weeks ago. It was a hit with my 3, 5, and 7 year old children. This looks like a great resource to invest into their interest and enjoyment of it!

    Reply
  38. Melanie S. says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:11 pm

    I think this would be a wonderful addition!

    Reply
  39. hilary says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    We’ve never done pastels before! My children seem to naturally love art, I just sort of naturally incorporate it into the day.

    Reply
  40. Mariah says

    May 6, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    We have just started exploring different mediums, but we haven’t tried pastels yet! My daughter would be so excited to try this! thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply
  41. Christi Evangelo says

    May 6, 2013 at 10:17 pm

    We love using oil pastels. They are our favorite art projects to date! We use Tricia’s tutorials often!!

    Reply
  42. Amy L. says

    May 6, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    Looks fun! We used Meet the Masters art curriculum this year and loved it. We tried oil pastels but have never tried chalk pastels.

    Reply
  43. Kym says

    May 7, 2013 at 1:21 am

    My sixth grade daughter is the artist at our house. She tried chalk pastels for the first time several months ago, and loved it once she got going. That is probably her current favorite medium.

    Reply
  44. Pat L. says

    May 7, 2013 at 3:04 am

    We have tried pastels in the past but it was a very limited experience. We need to trying it again. Thanks for the give away.

    Reply
  45. Deborah says

    May 7, 2013 at 4:01 am

    We love pastels, and this book looks wonderful!

    Reply
  46. hsmominmo says

    May 7, 2013 at 10:31 am

    We have worked a few art projects with pastels. So fun!
    My children enjoy watercolors and colored pencils as well.

    Reply
  47. Lisa McClain says

    May 7, 2013 at 11:45 am

    We would love this! Thx!

    Reply
  48. Melissa says

    May 7, 2013 at 11:50 am

    We have never tried them but really want to!

    Reply
  49. Pam says

    May 7, 2013 at 12:14 pm

    This would be a great treat! We have done a couple of pastels and loved them.

    Reply
  50. HillaryM says

    May 7, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    We do use chalk pastels (and need to get more). My children like any kind of art we do. I like the ease of doing chalks versus paint (less mess!) and they like anything they can get their hands into. Chalks make us both happy.

    Reply
  51. julia says

    May 7, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    looks wonderful – I would love to add it to our nature studies!

    Reply
  52. Shelly says

    May 7, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Recently started using chalk pastels and love them! I have owned a set for years, and it’s been fun to get them out and share them with my daughter!

    Reply
  53. Renelle says

    May 7, 2013 at 11:47 pm

    Art is one of our favourite and most healing times of the day and week in our home and we really feel it when we’ve not done it. We would love to learn more about pastels. I have a small set but just recently priced a large set and hope to splurge on them soon. Can’t wait now even more than before. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  54. becca says

    May 8, 2013 at 12:05 am

    My kiddos love art! They’d love this set! :0 )

    Reply
  55. Sue says

    May 8, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    My children love art and would enjoy this set!!!

    Reply
  56. Elizabeth Cook says

    May 8, 2013 at 10:47 pm

    We have tried her pastel tutorials before. I love them and my 5 year old can pull off some surpringly awesome art. I’ve been wanting this book and if I don’t win this time I WILL be buying it.

    Reply
  57. Dawn says

    May 8, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    Great giveaway. My daughter is the artsy one…she would love this.

    Reply
  58. Rebecca says

    May 9, 2013 at 12:38 am

    We haven’t tried using chalk pastels yet. The oldest might be ready but the mom in me fears the mess. I have to get past that. Perhaps some good instruction like this book would help! 🙂

    Reply
  59. Katie says

    May 9, 2013 at 12:50 am

    we have not tried these….would love to though!

    Reply
  60. Melissa says

    May 9, 2013 at 12:59 am

    We would love this. We love to use different mediums but haven’t tried chalks.

    Reply
  61. Eva says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:12 pm

    We use chalk all the time. This would be really cool to use!

    Reply
  62. Melissa R. says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Just bought pastels and paper and loads of other fun art supplies. Gearing up for our summer of art!!

    Reply
  63. Stephanie says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:15 pm

    My kiddos would love this…especially our oldest…creativity and art are her gifts!

    Reply
  64. Amy says

    May 9, 2013 at 9:23 pm

    I gave my daughter a set of chalk pastels for her birthday two months’ ago, and she loves them! She wants art lessons now. 🙂

    Reply
  65. Carla C says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:23 pm

    We have never tried chalk pastels. It would be awesome to do this. We really haven’t done past the basic drawing with pencil and crayons or using paint but not in a art class way just for extra fun once in a while. In home school we have focused mostly on art appreciation.

    Reply
  66. Jesse says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:26 pm

    My son would love this book! He often does pen and ink, but he hasn’t had as much experience with pastels.

    Reply
  67. Alicia Charmbury says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:41 pm

    I have added in nature sketching and have been trying chalk pastels with it.

    Reply
  68. kerstin says

    May 9, 2013 at 10:52 pm

    As a mom with boys, I have a hard time being ‘artistic’ I wish I could do better! I would love a copy of this book!

    Reply
  69. Ashley says

    May 9, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    My girls and I have done several of the free chalk pastels. The girls love the lessons and always ask to do more. We would enjoy all the lessons in the book.

    Reply
  70. Kim D. says

    May 9, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    We only use paints and crayons, but this would be fun to try!

    Reply

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