Art History Series

This is Session 1 of 5 in the full-year Art History Series

This Intro to Art class is offered every summer and beginning of fall semesters.

Click here to enroll in the SPECIAL SUMMER SESSION of this class.

PREREQUISITE: It is highly recommended that students take this introductory course before taking other classes in the Art History Series. Intro to Art will give students a foundational understanding of the vocabulary surrounding artistic studies, as well as an introduction to the major movements and styles of art history.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

In this 4-week class, we will learn the fundamentals of art–the elements of art and the principles of design. We will also get into the major styles of art while we learn about some of the famous artists that were known for those styles. We will begin the first two weeks with the fundamentals, learning some vocabulary while we practice those concepts with some fun and quick drawing assignments. In weeks three and four we will learn about compositional drawing/painting/sculpting/etc. while studying styles of art throughout humanity. We will cover classical and ancient art as well as modern styles; for example, we will spend a little time exploring the work of Michelangelo and make our way into modern pop-art. Students will have the opportunity to explore these varied styles of art by recreating them for themselves.

There will be vocabulary, as well as many quick drawing assignments, scattered throughout the lessons so that the students may have hands on ways of learning the concepts covered. There will also be quizzes regarding the vocabulary and the main ideas of each lesson. The major projects will be very open to interpretation, and each artist will mostly get to chose the medium they would like to work with for these big projects. The main idea is to create; this class only requires that the student puts forward their best effort to understand the concepts of this class while being creative, they will find it is easy and fun!

My goal for this class is that each student may walk away with a firm grasp on the basic fundamentals of art, and that they may explore their own creativity to possibly unlock new talents they may have ever known they had. This course is intended to be fun, stress-free, and allow the creativity of these budding artists to flourish. I hope that any student who comes into this class thinking they are not a good artist will finish the course more confident in their new found skills, and develop a thirst to build upon that creative knowledge.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

WEEK 1: Fundamentals of Art

We will begin the course discussing what art is. What defines art? What makes something art? We will then dive right into learning about mediums of art, and finish the week learning all about color theory.

WEEK 2: Elements & Principles of art (fundamentals continued)

In week two we will cover the elements and principles of art. These range from concepts like line and shape to concepts of compositional harmony and understanding perspective. This week will include a lot of vocabulary that is necessary to use when analyzing and discussing art. These are the fundamentals that are essential to understanding art theory.

WEEK 3: Ancient Styles

In week three we will begin studying styles of art by going back to the beginning–cave paintings. We will work our way through humanity’s more ancient styles, touching on Ancient Egypt and indigenous peoples, then working our way through the Renaissance and towards more contemporary art styles like Realism and Impressionism. Within each style we will learn about artists that were known for utilizing those styles. For example, we will explore the works of Michelangelo and his sivsical art, and we will explore Impressionism through the works of Monet.

WEEK 4: Modern Styles

In the last week we will focus on modern styles of art, from Fauvism to Graffiti. We will learn how these styles of art have been influenced by their era, explore the lives and works of the styles’ most famous artists, and have the opportunity to recreate works in those fun styles. During this week we will learn about artists like Matisse, Dali, and Andy Warhol.

For the most part, students will be able to complete the assignments in the medium of their choice.

Required Materials:

• Red, blue, and yellow paint of any kind
• pencil
• paper for drawing/painting
• playdough or some kind of clay
• Colored pencils/crayons/markers/Or some kind of coloring set that is not paint.

Suggested Materials:

• Set of paints (watercolor or acrylic)
• Set of pencils with different weights
• drawing paper painting specialty paper or canvas

This is Session 2 of 5 in the full-year Art History Series

PREREQUISITE: It is highly recommended that students take the Intro to Art session before taking other sessions in the Art History series.

Ancient Civilizations Art History is a focused course designed to pair with the history course Introduction to Ancient Civilizations. They are not required to be taken together, but it really enhances the learning experience!

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This course is an introductory course into the art and architecture of first major human civilizations in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. These civilizations make up the foundation of early history and Western Civilization, and therefore make up the foundation of art and architectural history. Knowledge of the art and artistic processes of these civilizations is necessary for further study of art history into the modern age.

This 8 week class begins with prehistory and the first peoples. From there we will move through the civilizations in the “Fertile Crescent” and ancient Egypt. The art of ancient China, Japan and India will also play parts in this class. The last portion of the class will cover the two major ancient civilizations that make up the foundation of culture in the West: Greece and Rome, both major influences on the future of art and architecture. This class will serve as a base for students to build future explorations into western and more modern civilizations artistic practices and famous works. Students will gain a better understanding for how to discuss art through the perspective of an art historian.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1: Prehistoric Peoples

This week will introduce the first groups of people, those before any major civilization. First, we will examine the first humans and primitive art — such as cave art, the oldest sculptures, and the beginning of pottery. We will also be looking into the beginnings of architecture with the first urbanized settlements. This week will make up the foundation upon which we can build these ancient civilizations.

Week 2: The First Civilizations

Week 2 will cover the first major civilizations, most of which fall around the “Fertile Crescent.” These civilizations provide the model for art and architecture for which most of the rest discussed in this class build upon. The fertile area allowed them to build the major cities like Sumer, Mesopotamia, Babylon, and others whose art and architecture will make up this week’s focus. This week will lead into our first major ancient civilization.

Week 3: Ancient Egypt

This week introduces our first “core” civilization. Egypt set a model for civilization that many others would follow, especially with their art and architecture. It is most easily broken down into its distinct periods and their interims: The Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, the New Kingdom Egypt. Week 3 will cover the Old and Middle Kingdoms. It will cover art of ancient Egyptian mythology, burial and religious art and artifacts, the art of the first dynasties of the Pharaohs, and the pyramids.

Week 4: Ancient Egypt (cont.)

This week will begin with the New Kingdom period of Ancient Egypt. We will study the art and architecture of certain dynasties of the New Kingdom, including King Tutankhamen and Akhenaten.

Week 5: Ancient China, Japan, and India

While the majority of this course follows western civilizations, this week will jump over to the eastern side of the world, and see what these early civilizations were doing. The study of ancient India will focus on the art of early Hinduism and Buddhism. From there we will look into ancient China and Japan, including art from the ancient Chinese dynasties, including sculptures, scrolls, and the invention of ink.

Week 6: Ancient Greece

We will begin by examining the art of cultures around the peninsula: the Minoans and the Mycenaeans. After that, we will transition into the Greek Archaic and Geometric Period, with an introduction to Greek sculpture, pottery, and architecture.

Week 7: Ancient Greece (cont.)

This week we will move onto the Classical Period of ancient Greece, broken down into its four distinct periods and their interims: Early, High, and Late Classical Greece. We will also cover the Hellenistic Period in this week. We will focus primarily on the major sculptures and significant architecture of such city-states like Athens, including the structures like the Parthenon.

Week 8: Ancient Rome

Week 8 we will explore the art and architecture of ancient Rome, which will bring us to the end of our class as the fall of Rome marks the end of antiquity. From the Republic Period through the Late Roman Empire, this week will focus on some of the most famous ancient architectural structures in history, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

This is Session 3 of 5 in the full-year Art History Series

PREREQUISITE: It is highly recommended that students take the Intro to Art session before taking other sessions in the Art History series.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

Art History of the Indigenous American Peoples is a focused course in the Next Level Homeschool Art History Series. This course will act as an introductory course into the art and architecture of the first civilizations of the Americas. This course will teach students how to identify the trademarks of the art of early American cultures, interpret those works of art using art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning, and then relate those aspects to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts. Even though historians and archaeologists are still continuously uncovering new information about ancient indigenous American history, we can study these works of early art and architecture of these civilizations to help us understand the cultures that laid the foundations for American human history.

This four week class will begin with the first civilizations of the Americas—ancient Mesoamerica. Then we will spend a full week studying the great Maya and Aztec civilizations before moving on to South America and the Central Andes, including the Inca Empire. We will wrap up the class with an exploration into the indigenous tribes and very early civilizations of North America. This class serves as a base for students to build future explorations into western, as well as more modern civilizations’ artistic practices and styles. Students will gain a better understanding for how to discuss art through the perspective of an art historian.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1: Rise of Indigenous American Civilization

This week will introduce the earliest known civilizations of the Americas. We will examine the art and architecture of peoples like the Olmec and Teotihuacan of Mesoamerica to better understand the cultures that laid the foundations for early life in the Americas.

Week 2: The Maya & The Aztec

We will explore how the grand Mayan civilization, with its hundreds of kingdoms, holds a unique visual identity in their art and architecture. We study the cities of Tikal and Palenque, and study the art and architecture commissioned under rulers such as Pakal the Great. Mayans developed their cities as works of art, and so we will study their artistic culture in order to better understand the historical significance of this once flourishing civilization.

Week 3: South America

In the third week of the class we will focus on South America, primarily the Central Andes, including present day Peru. Prior to European invasion, South America was the home to many highly developed civilizations. We will explore early civilizations, including the Paracas and Nazca cultures, and we will make our way to studying the Inca Empire, which was the dominant civilization at the time of Spanish conquest.

Week 4: North America

In the final week of the class we will focus on the art and artistic cultures of various indigenous tribes around early North America. We will start in the east and will move west as we discuss different periods classified by art historians based on the specific styles of art and architecture that were popular in certain regions at certain times. Finally, we will explore the art, architecture, and artistic cultures of the American Southwest.

This is Session 4 of 5 in the full-year Art History Series

PREREQUISITE: It is highly recommended that students take the Intro to Art session before taking other sessions in the Art History series.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

This Medieval Art History class is a focused course in the Next Level Homeschool Art History Series. This course will act as an introductory course into the art and architecture of Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages. This course will teach students how to identify the trademarks of the art of the Medieval period, interpret those works of art using art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning, and then relate those aspects to their distinct cultural, economic, and political contexts.

Studying the works of art and architecture of the Medieval period helps us to understand the lives and culture of the peoples that lived during this transitional period of human history. This class is intended to connect the timeline from the Ancient Period, through the Middle Ages, and into the Renaissance.

This class will serve as a base for students to build future explorations into the artistic practices and famous works of this time period of human history. Students will gain a better understanding for how to discuss art through the perspective of an art historian.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1: Medieval Art

The first lesson of the course will explore early Medieval art in Europe. Students will learn about artistic styles of such civilizations as the Norse, Celts, Anglo-Saxons, and we will even explore the Viking era. We will take a look at early Christian, Jewish, and Muslim art, including religious texts and images. Students will get to take a closer look at some of the first known illustrated manuscripts from the Western world.

Week 2: Islamic Art

The second week of the class will explore Islamic art and architecture of the Islamic Golden Age during the Middle Ages. Students will learn about such iconic works of architecture as The Kaaba in Mecca, The Dome of the Rock, and The Great Mosque of Cordoba, including distinct elements of Islamic architectural style. We will also explore Islamic mosaic, ceramic, metal, and glass art, as well as book and manuscript art, including calligraphy and decorated Qur’an manuscripts.

Week 3: Romanesque Art

This week will explore the Romanesque period in Europe. Students will learn about Romanesque era architecture, which set the foundation for the future of Gothic architecture. We will also take a look into the unique features of Romanesque sculptural, architectural, and mosaic styles. This lesson will also explore those most famous examples of textile and manuscript art that hallmarked this period of European art history.

Week 4: Gothic Architecture

The third week of the class will focus on the origins of the Gothic Age in France and England. The lesson will explore the Age of Cathedrals, including iconic elements of Gothic architecture and stain-glass windows. Students will learn about such historical Gothic icons such as the Chartres Cathedral and the Cathedral of Notre-Dame at Remis in France, and the Salisbury Cathedral in England. We will explore other works of art from the Gothic period in Europe, focusing on sculptures, paintings, and manuscript art.

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to recognize the difference in artistic styles from the Early Medieval period to the late Gothic period—from architecture and sculpture, to manuscripts and religious texts and images, to painting techniques—students will learn the development of art history which brought the Western world out of the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, which would follow the Gothic period.

This is Session 5 of 5 in the full-year Art History Series

PREREQUISITE: It is highly recommended that students take the Intro to Art session before taking other sessions in the Art History series.

CLASS DESCRIPTION

In the span between the 14th and 17th centuries, the artistic, political, and economic “rebirth” in Europe following the Middle Ages came to be known as the Renaissance. During this time of diverse aspirations and passionate ideas, Greek literature and Greek art had once again come to light as source for inspiration. From its birthplace in Florence, Italy, the artistic fervor of the Renaissance spread throughout Europe, inspiring some of the greatest works of art and architecture that influenced the later development of Western art, and which are still widely admired and appreciated today.

This four week class will explore the works of the artists known as the great Renaissance Masters—including the art of Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, as well as a few other select well known artists of the Renaissance.

CLASS FORMAT

No live classes—view lessons on YOUR schedule. In general, expect 1.5-2.5 hours to work through the lesson plan each week, and an additional 2-5 hours working on assignments (it really depends what assignment your child chooses to do and how they manage their time). For classes with two levels, the material is the same for both—the depth of the assignments differs. Younger students should usually be placed in Level 1. Older students, or younger students who want more of a challenge, should be placed in Level 2.

Each lesson consists of a fully narrated PowerPoint presentation with images and videos to enhance the topics. Students will have access to our learning management system, Canvas, for viewing their lesson, printing worksheets, taking quizzes, viewing/submitting assignments, participating in discussions, and viewing grades/feedback.

Read more details about class format.

Week 1

Week 1 will begin with an introduction to the Renaissance—the beginning of this “rebirth” and the inspiration for the movement. We will also explore the art and architecture of Italian artist Raffaelo Sanzio da Urbino, known commonly as Raphael.

Week 2

Week 2 will primarily focus on the work of Italian painter, sculptor, architect, and poet Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni.

Week 3

In week 3 we will study the life and work of Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, or Leonardo da Vinci–artist, architect, engineer, and scientist.

Week 4

Week 4 will cover various other well-known Renaissance artists, including Italian painters Titian, Sandro Botticelli, and Peter Paul Rubens. Week 4 will also explore various other famous paintings, sculptures, and architecture from the Renaissance.