Creating a Masterpiece Creates Family Bonding

Over the past 6 weeks our whole family have been trying out the Creating a Masterpiece Monthly Plan.  Read our review to find out if it lives up to its name.  Is it possible for young children to create real works of art?  Can adults also learn how to be more artistic?  We think the answers to these questions is, yes.

Creating A Masterpiece is an online art class.  I mean actual art-it’s not just a drawing class to keep kids busy.  There are six levels available, and we were given a six-month subscription that covers all of these levels, right from beginner to advanced.  What appealed to me about this art class was the wide variety of projects; from easy (although the final piece doesn’t look like it), to much more difficult projects.  There is also a wide variety of mediums used.

I wanted to take this opportunity to to try out some new mediums and to have the children really learn how to use them the right way.  So far they’ve learned to use charcoal vines, chalk pastels, oil pastels, as well as water colour over oil pastels.  I bought some gouache paints that we’ll be using in our next project.  In addition to these, are projects that use acrylics, conte crayons, wood burning, copper tooling, glass mosaics, batik, sculptures, and more.

This program may be aimed a bit more at children with the easy language, but certainly not so much that us adults won’t enjoy the classes, too!  Sharon’s philosophy is that if a child can understand, then so can anyone.  In fact, I specifically wanted to take this class with my children so we could all sit down together and enjoy each other’s company and bond while being creative.

Phil also did a class with Tristan and Kallista one afternoon while I was out at the library.

The projects we’ve done so far have been Beginner and Level 1; though we’ll be doing many more, starting at the beginning is always a good place to start.  Some of the Beginner projects are only a lesson or two, and as we went up, they increased; our longest was four lessons.

Each lesson consists of a video of about ten minutes; you can then stop if you need to wait for paint to dry, or continue on if you are able and would like to keep going.  Before starting a project, you can find out the supplies you will need so that there aren’t any surprises.  What we did was watch the video, but stopped it along the way so that we could recreate the steps as Sharon showed us how.  This is what worked best for us as beginners; you may want to watch the entire lesson and then paint.  It’s amazing watching the masterpieces take shape!

I know an art class isn’t easy to budget for, at least for us.  However, when compared to the local art classes, it is good value; especially when considering that the whole family can use the program at any time of day and we don’t have to worry about our art getting wet or blowing away on the way home from class.

The cost of supplies can add up, so keep this in mind before you start.  We had some supplies from previous art classes, and I also made two online orders as well for this class.  There are some alternatives possible if you can’t source a particular supply, but it’s always better and easier to achieve the desired results if you have the correct tools.  I also think it’s important for children to learn to use ‘proper’ art supplies competently so they know what they do, and how to use them with respect.  I’m considering it an investment; in my children and in their future.

My children love to create art, and Tristan has even sold a painting at the local Gallery, and he really wants to have a show there someday; wouldn’t it be incredible for his dream to come true – and even better if it was a family affair?

If you want to try it, you can take the sample class, which is just like the others so you can see if the style and content suit you.  The project can be made in one sitting and the results are fabulous!  You’ll be hooked, for sure!

I had wanted to complete more projects during the review period, but we had two cases of chicken pox in the house (why can’t they ever happen at the same time).  Creating a Masterpiece while Tristan was ill helped take his mind off his miserableness, even if we had to stop before completing a lesson as he was too worn out to continue.  Kallista fared much worse so we cancelled school while she was unwell.  Keep your eyes on our Facebook page as you will see some of our future masterpieces appear there!

Now, after two years of having empty frames hanging on our walls, we can fill them with real art!  The children’s gallery at the end of our hallway will be refreshed, and the children can use some of their projects as gifts.  I have several ideas in mind for this such as scanning a couple of pieces and using them as the cover of greeting cards, I have a couple of slate signs here that I bought last year for an art project, and I think the Level 1 Caribbean Lighthouse would work so well with that!  I also have a packet of slate coasters looking for some colour.  Finally, we can use some of the supplies around the house and put them to use!  This is exciting!  This is just how a local artist friend of mine makes an income.

I must say that this class really is a lot of fun for the whole family, and a great way to spend an afternoon together; and you’ll have something beautiful to show for it, too!  I can’t wait to get started on another piece this week and see how our skills improve.  Creating a Masterpiece is a masterpiece itself and you will see the skill that Sharon has, both in painting, as well as with teaching.  More pieces are in the works, and I can’t wait to see our home filled with even more artistic memories!

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