EARLY REGISTRATION SPECIAL (1st quarter only):

Get $10 off each class if you register before August 15th!

All Classes:

• Tuition: $59.99 per class
• Fee for Auditing only (no teacher critique or credit): $29.99
• Duration: 8 weeks (1-2 hours of student work per week)
• Masterpiece Credits per class: 1 (Credits go toward a Masterpiece Certificate, not college credit.)

How to Register:

1. Visit the Masterpiece Online Academy E-School.
2. Choose the class desired.
3. Create a Global Classroom user name and password or log in if you already have one from a previous class.
4. Pay for the class using a credit card or PayPal online or over the phone.

See our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

2009-2010 Schedule:

Quarter 1: August 31 - October 19, 2009

Course	Description
Drawing and Rendering I: Graphite	We will learn drawing fundamentals using graphite pencils. Concepts introduced include: shape, line, shadow, value, texture, and detail. Each lesson will include a warm-up sketch, a lesson on a specific concept or technique, a drawing exercise, and work on a running project. Supply List * Introduction Video * Sample Lesson   Register at the Masterpiece Online Academy.
Color Theory I	Learn the foundations of color theory including the color wheel, monochromatic, analogous, complementary, and triad color schemes. We will also learn how to shade drawn objects using color. Colored pencils needed. Supply List * Introduction Video * Sample Lesson   Register at the Masterpiece Online Academy.
Exploring Art Careers I: Textiles	Students will explore the careers of interior decorating, textile, and fashion design by designing fabric patterns and using them to decorate a room and create a line of clothing. Students will complete a portfolio of fabric designs, a room board, and drawings of their fashion creations. Supply List * Introduction Video * Sample Lesson   Register at the Masterpiece Online Academy.
Exploring the World with Pastels	Learn hard pastel techniques as we create four frame-worthy compositions that take us around the world from Scotland, to Canada, to Italy, and to India. Supply List * Introduction Video * Sample Lesson Register at the Masterpiece Online Academy. SPECIAL PRICE: $39.99 (Regular course) $19.99 (Audit Only)

It's always fun to take a day off of academics at Christmas time and work on a creative project that celebrates this wonderful season of Christ's birth.

Check out all of the free Christmas projects on my website at:

http://www.teachartathome.com/christmas_projects.htm

Projects include:

• Pastel Poinsettia
• Christmas Mosaic
• Printmaking with Pasta
• Holiday Acrylic Painting
• Christmas Cardinal in Watercolors
• Holiday Stencils
• Fancy Foil Christmas Cards
• Christmas Clay Ornaments
• 3-D Poinsettia

In an effort to make understanding color theory easier, I have created a color theory reference poster for sale at my site, www.teachartathome.com.  You can also get a sketch journal with the poster on the cover to take on sketching outings!

This poster is a great help when using my art curriculum, The Phonics of Drawing CD.

Color Theory Poster (11" x 17")

Color Theory Sketch Journal

I have added some fun, free art projects on the Masterpiece Art Instruction website:

Printmaking with Pasta

Printmaking is just plain creative fun (no drawing!) and what could be more fun than printing with spaghetti? Try this easy project with household items and tempera paint and learn some basic printmaking techniques.

Ages 6 and up.

Animal Pop-Up Books

Let's draw animals on white paper and create "pop-up" pages in a booklet. Add some information about each one and you have a Nature Study project for animal lovers!

Ages 8 and up.

When we consider that so many creative people in history, like Thomas Edison, would probably been diagnosed as having Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, we realize that artistic expression can open up a wonderful new world to young “active-minded” students. (I hate negative labels!)

If you have one of these precious children but think that they could never learn to draw, think again!

(Read the rest of this article at http://www.teachartathome.com/ADHD.htm )

Looking for some free art projects to try, with full-color, step-by-step instructions? Check out all of the free stuff at Masterpiece Art Instruction.

Here are some of the free lessons and projects you'll find:

Pastel Pears 

Fashion Design Project

Salt Clay Mosaics

When I see all of the beautiful colors of autumn, I want to wrap it up and save it somehow, which is exactly what we do in our home.  Each fall, we go leaf collecting, being very careful to procure only the most brilliant colors we can find. Then we take them home and preserve their beauty right away by waxing them!  These lovely leaves are then scattered on our Thanksgiving table when all of the trees are bare.

Waxed Fall Leaves

Supplies:

• Fall Leaves (best if taken off the tree and not off the ground)
• Iron
• Newspaper
• Disposable foam plates
• Liquid floor wax (from the supermarket)
• Blow dryer

Directions:

1. Iron the leaves flat between 2 sheets of newspaper.  Use a medium heat level.
2. Lay 2 layers of newspaper all over a large table.
3. Pour some floor wax into a foam plate.
4. Dip each leaf (both sides) into the wax.  Let drip a little.
5. Lay each one to dry on newspaper.  Use a blow dryer to speed up the process.
6. You may want to give them a second coat.  This will make them like smooth leather!