I consider myself a Charlotte Mason homeschooler. I may wander off the path sometimes but I do try to keep true to Miss Mason’s ideas. Sometimes it is difficult to find a curriculum that fits into the Charlotte Mason thinking but I have found one such curriculum that has been a perfect fit. It is called God and The History of Art. It was created by Barry Stebbing, a renowned Christian artist who creates wonderful homeschool art programs. This program can be a great fit for Charlotte Mason, classical education, principal method, or for those who are just simply eclectic.
There are two books in this program: God and the History of Art 1 and God and the History of Art 2. The first book teaches earliest known pieces of art up to the Renaissance period. The second book starts from the Renaissance period and goes up to the 20th century. In this program your child will study beautiful pieces of art and at the same time will have many enriching art lessons. Mr. Stebbing has put so much into this program. Your child will learn art history, about past artists and many famous pieces of art. Your child will learn drawing techniques, and will receive hands-on art instruction.
The program is designed to be done over a period of 5 years. There are over 250 lessons! It is for children ages 10 and up. This is not a “little kid” art program! Your children will learn many drawing techniques over the period of 5 years. The program comes with the two books, 35 mini art reproduction postcards, 24 paint cards, and 10 marker cards.
The lessons are simple to teach. The lessons are not time consuming so it is easy to add into your homeschool day.
My children have enjoyed learning new ways to draw. They love seeing how a simple technique can enhance their drawings. We have enjoyed learning about so many artists and the pieces they have created.
The mini postcards are used in many of the lessons as you learn about artists in history. The cards are used in comparative studies as you study a particular artist. The cards are from various time periods and artists. Miss Mason would have wanted us to study the actual pieces of art but we know this is not always possible so the mini postcards are a great way to study so many pieces of art! Throughout the lessons you will see that Mr. Stebbing has created the program with a strong biblical influence.
Mr. Stebbing has created an art program that not only teaches art but an appreciation of seeing God in art.
A quote from lesson #2 encompasses Mr. Stebbing thoughts: “I believe that God has given each and every child a joy for art. Since God is an artist, He has given this joy and certain amount of ability to everyone as a free gift so that we all may participate in creating!”
What a great quote!
Some of lessons include instruction on how to draw people, dragons, faces, geometric shapes, arches, clothing, animals, and more.
Some of the other lessons are coloring with symbolism, one and two point perspective, mixing paint colors, pen and ink drawings, making a self portrait, penmanship, narrative art, mosaics, still life, blending with paint, shading, copying a Renoir, and so much more!
Your child will study art history from many different time periods such as early christian art, Greek and Roman architecture, Greek pottery, Pre-Raphaelites, Byzantine art, Impressionism, Renaissance, Romanticism, and so much more.
Some of the artists you will learn about: Rembrandt, Jean Francois Millet, Gerard Horenbout, Constantinople, Leonardo DaVinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Monet, Renoir, Peter Paul Rubens, Van Gough, American artists, and many more.
I have already named so many wonderful things about this program but what are the cons regarding this program? You will need to photocopy the lessons if you have more than one child. This program is not for younger children so it is not easy to have younger children join in. Since this is for older children this is not a program that has your child making cutesy art projects. I consider this a plus not a con because your older child will learn to make beautiful drawings and develop a love for art.
This program can be a great fit for Charlotte mason homeschoolers, classical education, principal method, and others.
Written by Korey, Charlotte Mason mother of 3
I’ve heard so many good things about this program! Thank you for sharing more!
This is new to me. Sounds wonderful! Hmmm.. something else for the wishlist? You didn’t mention the price, but I’m guessing it’s pricey.
Oh, I did forget to mention the price! Christianbook.com is selling it for $41.99. Not a bad price considering you use it for five years.
Here is a link to it:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=787771&item_code=WW&netp_id=400107&event=ESRCN&view=covers
I’m so glad you reviewed this!
Thank you for a thorough review ~ very helpful.
I am wondering if it would be easy to schedule this program alongside Mystery of History – studying art as it goes aong the historical timeline? MoH is a four year program and this is five…
I just started this with my daughter today. We enjoyed the first lesson so much!!! I was amazed at the time the author put into this study. We are excited about it,and I am looking to begin Mystery of History next year with my daughter alongside this study. I know someone else asked this question, and I do think it would be an excellent fit, I took a look inside a Mystery of History book the other day and am excited about it!