See the Light Art Projects (Schoolhouse Review)

We recently had the privilege of trying out one of the DVD’s from the Art Projects series by See the Light. Each of the nine DVD’s  features the work of a famous artist and four lessons that culminate in the student producing a piece of art based on that artist’s style. The lessons are taught by master artist Pat Knepley.

 

Repeated Sweets focuses on the artist Wayne Thiebaud and watercolor painting. The four lessons are:

1. Select motif and draw.
2. Two types of watercolor: wash-flat and graded
3. Paint in the details
4. Finish up with shade and shadow

Throughout the four lessons (23-31 minutes each), Pat Knepley introduces the student to the work of the focus artist, teaching about his life and showing examples of his work. She guides the student in producing his or her own piece of art, demonstrating every step of the process in great detail. She refers back to techniques taught in her art class series, such as shade and shadowing, but gives plenty of guidance to students who may not have used that series.

We found Pat to be very pleasant and encouraging.  She is obviously very talented and loves to share her love of art with her students. The  project was broken down into simple steps and she explained and had the student practice new techniques during the process. Personally, I used to do some oil painting, but techniques are so different for watercolors that I learned a lot!

She works slowly, so that the student can keep up with his or her own art while watching the video, possibly with occasional pausing of the DVD. Some of the sessions, however, we just watched, then Emily did her project afterward, so that she didn’t miss anything.

Emily really enjoyed the lessons and hopes to do some more projects from this series. I think this is a great way to get quality art instruction right at home!

On-screen demonstration of watercolor techniques

Drawing “sweet treats”

Applying a background wash

Finished “Sweet Treats” Painting

The nine DVDs in the series (appropriate for upper elementary ages and up) cover a wide variety of art techniques and focus on these artists:

• Louis Comfort Tiffany
• Wayne Theibaud
• Henri Rousseau
• Georges Seurat
• Georgia O’Keefe
• Marc Chagall
• Edgar Degas
• Winslow Homer
• Vincent Van Gogh

Each DVD sells for $14.00 or the whole series is available for $99.99. To read more reviews of See the Light products, click the banner below.