Artistic Pursuits
by Artistic Pursuits Inc. (website )
A comprehensive K-12 art curriculum blending art history, technical skill-building, and creative expression using professional-quality media.
Best Fit For
Families seeking a serious, non-craft-based art education that integrates history and fine motor skills with minimal parental teaching required.
Not Recommended For
Families on a tight budget who may struggle with the cost of professional-grade art supplies or those looking for quick 15-minute craft projects.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers consistently describe Artistic Pursuits as a comprehensive program that effectively blends art history, theory, and technical skills. Teach Beside Me and Proverbial Homemaker emphasize that the curriculum is easy to implement for parents without art backgrounds, with the latter noting that the consistent lesson format aids student retention. Quiet In The Chaos appreciates that the instruction moves beyond crafts to build genuine creative confidence. Cathy Duffy Reviews suggests families complete the full series to benefit from the synergy between volumes. However, some trade-offs exist regarding the depth of instruction. Only Passionate Curiosity observes that instructions for art execution can be brief, and Well-Trained Mind Forums users suggest that parents may need to supplement for realistic drawing lessons. To address technical complexity, The Secret Life of Homeschoolers highlights the effectiveness of the video lessons for demonstrating specific skills to middle school students.
How It Works
A typical week consists of two sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes each, where the parent and child begin by reading a short lesson about a specific artist or a period in art history. In newer editions, the child watches a brief video demonstration of a technical skill, such as how to hold a drawing pencil or blend watercolors, before starting their own project. The child then works independently or with minimal guidance to create original art using professional-grade materials like soft pastels, charcoal, or heavy-weight paper. Parents of younger children usually spend about 10 minutes on setup and cleanup, while older students can typically manage the entire 'open-and-go' process at the kitchen table on their own. The focus is on applying a specific technique to an original idea rather than following a rigid, step-by-step craft tutorial.
Switching to This?
Artistic Pursuits does not offer a formal placement test; instead, families should choose a book based on their child's current grade level (K-3, 4-5, Middle School, or High School). A common community rule of thumb is to start at the beginning of a grade-level series even if your child has some art experience, as the curriculum builds foundational skills in a specific sequence using professional tools. Families can easily start mid-year because each lesson is self-contained, though it is best to start at the beginning of a volume to ensure you have all the specific supplies listed in the introductory pages. If you are switching from a craft-based program, expect a transition period where the child learns to observe real-world objects and use 'real' art terminology rather than simply following a pattern.
Curriculum Details
- Price
- $47 - $275
- Grades
- K - 12
- Available As
- Print Video Digital
- Coverage
- Single subject
- Subjects
- Art
- Pacing
- Flexible
- Parent Time
- 10-30 min/day
- Student Independence
- Semi-independent
- Academic Level
- Above grade level
- Worldview
- Neutral
- Teach Multiple Ages
- Yes
- Engaging for Reluctant Learners
- Yes
Individual books with video/streaming access typically range from $47 to $65. Bundles for entire levels (multiple books) range up to approximately $275.
Videos
Artistic Pursuits Flip-through & Review II K-3 & Upper Elementary 4th-6th Art Books and Supplies
by Science Mama
Reviews We Consulted
Appreciates the curriculum's holistic blend of history and technique but suggests that families commit to the entire series to fully benefit from the built-in synergy between books.
"Artistic Pursuits is a series of courses that covers art appreciation, art history, artists, and skills... There is a real synergy that builds from book to book, so it would be ideal if you could work through the entire series."
Commends the "open and go" design and the successful integration of art theory and appreciation, though it notes that the physical instructions for art execution can occasionally feel too brief.
"I liked how the program incorporated so much together, we got a good dose of theory, art history and appreciation, and skills together in a tidy package. The lessons are easy to follow, but a tad brief when it comes to actual instruction."
Users praise the impressive variety of mediums and high-quality supplies, but caution that parents may need to supplement if they want more explicit step-by-step "how-to" for realistic drawing.
"The variety is staggering: drawing, painting, sculpture, carving, print-making, etc, etc. We've had to buy a lot of art supplies, but they are all high-quality and I see my children using them in their spare time."
Highlights the effectiveness of the video-based lessons for middle schoolers, noting that seeing demonstrations is much more helpful for mastering complex techniques like graded graphite than text alone.
"My kiddos could see the techniques being applied, and the instructor did an excellent job explaining them... It helped the kids when creating their own pictures later on."
Recommends the program as a stress-free solution for parents without art backgrounds, emphasizing how the structured lessons encourage children to view the world with a critical, artistic eye.
"ARTistic Pursuits has been a game-changer for our homeschool art time. It provides meaningful, structured art instruction that's easy for parents to teach—even without a background in art."
Values the curriculum for offering developmentally appropriate instruction that moves beyond simple crafts to build genuine technical skill and creative confidence in young students.
"It has definitely helped her creativity blossom, and given her more confidence to be creative. I wish that I had learned art this way; I was always afraid to try art because I thought I just wasn't creative or good at it."
Praises the consistent lesson format (concept, observation, and project) for making the curriculum easy to implement and ensuring high retention of the material for elementary students.
"We really enjoy ARTistic Pursuits and plan on continuing. The books provide great art experiences, my kids are retaining the lessons, and it is so easy to implement. It's a win!"
Updated: March 2026
How This Compares
Compared to Creating a Masterpiece, which relies on highly detailed, step-by-step video instruction to produce a specific finished product, Artistic Pursuits focuses more on teaching general techniques and art history so the child can create their own unique compositions. When weighed against Meet the Masters, which is heavily structured around art history lectures and slideshows, Artistic Pursuits offers a more tactile 'studio' experience where the focus is on the physical application of media like charcoal and clay. For parents choosing between this and Home Art Studio, the primary difference is the materials; Artistic Pursuits requires an investment in artist-grade supplies to teach professional techniques, whereas Home Art Studio often uses more common household craft items for its projects.
Getting Started
Purchase
The publisher's direct site for purchasing current editions and accessing the online streaming platform.
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