Classical Art at Home
Christian Art Curriculum
     Frequently asked questions

How does this curriculum benefit the student as a whole? 

Drawing from nature retrains the brain to attend.  As our attention spans get shorter and shorter, this is an ever pressing need.  Drawing demands focus and intense observation. In pursuing it students are able to focus on detail more and more.  As crazy as it may sound, drawing helps us to think clearly.

Why? Why should everyone learn to draw?  How is it different than a hobby? 

We draw in order to connect with nature, our Creator, and thus know the Truth. 

I’m concerned it's too video heavy, is there a way to modify it? 

We get it.  In fact, we don’t even give our own teenagers cell phones.  So… why did we make a digital art curriculum? Art is a visual language, so it is helpful to watch drawing demonstrated and many art teachers do not have the confidence in their own drawing skills to demo live - it's not easy.   Using our program keeps students engaged, drawing along with the demonstration.  It also provides a forum for students to see eachothers work, give each other feedback, as well as get feedback from Kevin during livestreams.

 But to answer the question: Yes, you can use our curriculum in the way it best fits your home.  You can alternate video lessons with off screen lesson we can help design, or mix in other projects throughout the school year.  For example, after learning how to draw the sphere with the video lesson, students can do an independent lesson drawing the phases of the moon with their new skills (without using any screens). 

We only teach art once a week, can this curriculum accommodate that schedule? 

Yes, our curriculum can be modified to fit nearly every schedule.

How is art history incorporated?

Rather then separating out art history lessons that often don’t hold students attention, we have a unique way of organically incorporating art history into our drawing lessons. As students learn a concept we then, reinforce it be showing how the art masters used these same techniques and what specific pieces of art that it was used in. This is a special method because the students have just used the technique themselves in the lesson making them now also apart of the lineage of artists from the past. We call it, Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. It’s a big part of our curriculum that as we learn to draw we do not rethink the basics but continue in a long legacy of artists that passed down their technique from Master to Student from Greek art until Sargent.

What is Mimesis? How does it apply to this curriculum?
 

Learning through observation and imitation. Atelier training heavily focuses on drawing what you see in nature and also after a master artist. This is how the masters all learned how to draw and this is how we teach students how to draw and why you will see them start to draw on their own within months of using our curriculum. It’s empowering.

Our curriculum also has creative lessons interwoven with observational lessons, because it is also important skill to practice but mores because young students really enjoy it and it gives a break from observational drawing. Our objective is to create a compelling classical art curriculum that students are excited for. This weaving of observational drawing with drawing animals or drawing from our imagination helps keep the students really loving their art class.

What is process verses project based learning?  How does it apply to this curriculum?

Our art curriculum is process based, which means its an incremental approach to teaching the students a solid skill to be able to draw.  This gives them access to a visual language necessary to innovators of all types.  Project based learning however is designing an art curriculum around different fun projects losing the focus of what skill they are developing.  This type of curriculum leaves the student unable to develop the skill on their own time.

Should advanced students also start with foundations?

Yes, it is important that all students begin with foundations.  Scales to music are as drawing shapes to art. We don’t outgrow this skill, but hone it. After the foundations course, if you’d like to modify or move around curriculum that can be discussed and accommodated.

We have homeschool co-op we would like to teach this in as a group? Do you have co-op pricing?

Yes, we have a sister website called classicalartatschool.com that designs the program for classroom or co-op use.  

We suggest that you combine your classes ages 10+.  

By integrating some foundational lessons into each year, the curriculum can then be cycled so that all grades do the same content for 3-4 years and then circle back to year 1.  We can help customize this in a customer call or email if you like.  

What materials are necessary and how are they stored?

Great attention has been given to keep supplies simple, affordable and easily stored. We find Hobby Lobby to be the best source for basic art materials.

Step 1) Start with basic pencil and paper, #2 pencil and computer paper.  

Step 2) Graphite Set:  a simple graphite pencil set which can be shared between two students ($20).

Step 3) a painting gouache set used by two students at a time ($30).  

Onwards no extra supplies are necessary. Just refills of paper and what supplies run out.  

Everything can be stored in a box easily.

Is this a good curriculum for a young beginner?

Yes, if your child can sit still then they are ready to begin learning how to draw. If very young, you may need to curate the lessons and stop sooner.  If they complete a lesson and they are excited to do it again... then they are ready.  Try it out with our free Intro to Nature Journal Course.

We recommend a general age of 9+, but we have students start earlier if the parent feels they are ready. 

Can this curriculum work with an advanced student?

Yes, this is ideal.  Once a student becomes more advanced and learns how to render and observe well their drawings from this course will soar.  It is truly exciting. 

Art Critique, Art Gallery: How do you incorporate it? 

It is highly recommended to have a designated wall in your home to hang student artwork as they complete it. Art is one of the few subjects that produces a tangible product - so display it! Also, students take it more seriously if they know their artwork will be seen. And once it is hung, even if it's on a clipboard, then critique happens naturally. 

We also have a community forum to share artwork and learn from peers!

Is it $14.99/month for all courses?  How does the family membership work?

Yes - you get access to all the curriculum available through the McEvoy Atelier Membership.

If you choose to use one membership for your family, we are happy to offer that.  Simply make the user on the membership a family name such as "McEvoy Boys".