Online Drawing Program by Creating a Masterpiece -- my REVIEW

My youngest daughter, who is now in 10th grade, enjoys creating art. I am not super-talented in the areas of painting/drawing, so she was thrilled to have the opportunity to use the one-year subscription to the Drawing Program by Creating a Masterpiece and I am happy to share my thoughts about the program in this review! We had used a different online product from Creating a Masterpiece in the past, so she anticipated enjoying these drawing lessons--and yes, she certinly did!

  

Maybe if you have a long memory, you might remember my previous review of an art program from Creating a Masterpiece (here). This program is similar, but different!

The Drawing Program is a series of four different levels of instruction in drawing projects, from beginner to level 3.  The instructor, Sharon Hofer, introduces the lesson (and finished product) to the students and then walks them through how they can replicate the piece of art, one step at a time. She is very smooth and pleasant to listen to, and she gives the instructions at a very do-able rate, talking as she performs the drawings/smudgings/etc. so that the student can follow her words as well as her movements.

Students may begin at any level, but for our family (with very little drawing experience!) it made sense to begin at the beginners' level. There are five different projects which you can work on, some of them are working in pencil, others are with charcoal.  

Similarly to the last time we used the Creating a Masterpiece program, our initial thought, upon viewing the artwork we were to learn to make, was along the lines of, "No way, I can't do that!"  My daughter actually was a bit intimidated, thinking that she couldn't make something like what was shown (before she started) -- but she went ahead and started out with the lessons...

Miss Sharon's clear instructions about how to create the "Hoot Owl"...

   

were followed and this amazing drawing of an owl emerged!

Another one of the beginner lessons that she completed was the "Angling for Trout." {{{Side note: my husband rasies trout for a living, so just take this into account!}}}  We were all amazed to see her make this drawing:

 You'll notice that she is working on her second version of this picture, because her first didn't have the correct dimensions of an actual trout (see side note above, haha!) so she went through the directions a second time--and she actually plans to do another time as well! (This is another great part of the program--you are not limited to only using the directions once! You can perfect your following of her instructions time and time again!)

One of the things that we like about Miss Sharon's instructions are her likeability and normal-ness.  She speaks to the student just like she is having a conversation, and like she is a friend. She is upbeat, not rushed, and very encouraging!

So...can I show off a few more of the drawings that she has made thus far? :) 

This one was in the midst of the Alaskan Wilderness drawing...

And here's the finished work of the Alaskan Wilderness (this was a Level 1 charcoal drawing).  My husband has already claimed this for his office at work. :)

This was the lesson on drawing a still life with shadowing of an egg :) 

And she's mid-way through the Level 2 project "Dawdling Duck" (I love this one, who would've imagined that my 15-year old could draw this?!)

She is completely thrilled to have access to these drawing lessons for a year, and I anticipate seeing lots of iterations of each of these drawings (or at least of her favorites). It is nice to be able to go over the same lessons (I know I said this before, but it bears repeating) as the student has become semi-comfortable to the tools and the techniques, and it's then easier to make changes.

The program itself is very easy to use. The website is very natural to navigate without frustration, and the lessons that you have purchased (have access to) are easy to find. For each lessons there is an accompanying list of materials, so you won't be surprised mid-project, and there is even a link where you could purchase the supplies if you don't already have a favorite vendor of these items.

The lessons are broken up into chunks, as well, so that if you don't have the time to devote to the entire project you can easily return later to pick up where you left off. 

All in all, we REALLY enjoy these online art lessons/online drawing program by Creating a Masterpiece. The student can learn some techniques, but I think it's more of a "finished work" creation-type program. Some of the techniques they learn can be carried over into other independent projects. I'd describe this program as more of an online "Paint and Sip" type program, easy to turn out a really nice finished product.

Here are a couple of thoughts from my 10th grade daughter who used the program these past few months: I LOVE creating a masterpiece! I am not a very artsy person, but I'm able to draw really cool and good things with this! The lessons are easy to follow along, and she is very clear about what you should do. She also says to sometimes copy her picture, but its really ok if yours looks different from hers.

Well, as you have probably inferred already, I definitely recommend the Online Drawing Program by Creating a Masterpiece!  If you'd like to read the thoughts of other families who have used this product, please check out their reviews by clicking on the link below!