titianmom
07-04-2009, 12:51 AM
Hi all,
Since I couldn't find *anything* on this program on the forum, I thought I'd post an honest review here for those considering an art program for Middle-HS kids.
What I bought: From the HGTA website, the HGTA bundle which includes both workbooks, pencils, eraser, sharpner, etc and the DVD set (4 1/2 hrs of lessons). This is considered a 2-year program, cost: $65.00
NOTE: You can get individual pieces on http://www.christianbook.com . Just search on Stebbing. The costs are a bit cheaper and it's nice that you can buy parts and pieces. You'll see why later.
DVDs: The DVD set is a copy of the older VHS tapes. These videos are not done professionally in a glitzy studio; it's pretty obvious. However, they are clear and easy to understand, the navigation on the DVDs is acceptable, and the lessons are thorough. So far I have no complaints and I'm glad I bought them.
Workbooks: The workbooks include a written description for each lesson and an area for you to practice in, but frankly you'll need a sketchpad to continue to practice. Practice is the key to learning how to draw, after all. There are some extra blank pages in the back for you to use, as well, plus a student exam. Also, there are cardstock sheets that have "starter" artwork that the student needs to complete on the cardstock sheets. FYI: You can buy these separately, I believe...if not at Christianbook, then certainly at HGTA.com.
The drawing "tools" are very good quality. I don't have any complaints on them.
This is what I've learned: I could have gotten away with just buying the DVDs or VHS tapes and some inexpensive sketchpads, since the videos cover exactly what's in the books. You can buy a packet of extra stockcard sheets from HGTA. I could have written my own exam using just the info on the tapes/DVDs. He even shows you the pages out of the book so you know what the project should turn out like. But, buy the workbooks, by all means, if you do a lot of your work in the car or at the doctor's office, for ex. They're good for review and doodling/practice and don't cost that much to begin with.
Another thought that I had was, watch DVDs/VHS for the first book's worth of lessons and just use the second book to re-inforce what you've learned at your leisure and not worry with the DVDs, making it a 1 year program. Wkbook 2 repeats the lessons only with different projects, so you could use the second wkbook any way you wanted to. Of course, you still have lessons for wkbook 2 on the DVD/VHS to view. Since so much about art is practice practice practice, I don't think it's a waste to buy both workbooks, except for a child who hates art and doesn't want to pursue Drawing....but I've never met a kid who hated art. :)
Pros:
Easy to understand and thorough. Interesting projects, IMHO, and the projects are nec to learn the various techniques.
Inexpensive compared to several others out there, especially if you bypass the bundle and buy just what you need.
Mr. Stebbing provides information on building a Portfolio for College, which I found very helpful. My daughter is now considering a career in the Arts because of the info provided in the Introduction. (She's not a bad little artist. Time will tell if she pursues this new line of thinking ;) ).
Cons:
The workbooks are bound vs spiral bound, now. As a lefty I find this really annoying, since they expect you to do practice inside the book. But that's the only complaint that I have.
As an adult I can appreciate the necessity of, say, learning to draw from memory by opening a refridgerator and studying the contents for 30 seconds, then drawing them. Your 12-yo may complain that they'd rather draw something else. Still, it's up to the teacher to help them understand the point of the lessons. Also, since I'm drawing along side my student, she seems to enjoy the competition and complements I give her, so I prob won't have any real problems getting her to do the assignments.
Overall, I give the course an "A". Sorry, I can't compare this course with any others, as this is my first art course. All I can say is, you'll pay for what you need and learn how to draw, without a lot of unnecessary (costly?) glitz. It's certainly good enough for more mature High Schoolers who don't need a lot of flashy stuff.
Hope this helps someone.
Kim
Since I couldn't find *anything* on this program on the forum, I thought I'd post an honest review here for those considering an art program for Middle-HS kids.
What I bought: From the HGTA website, the HGTA bundle which includes both workbooks, pencils, eraser, sharpner, etc and the DVD set (4 1/2 hrs of lessons). This is considered a 2-year program, cost: $65.00
NOTE: You can get individual pieces on http://www.christianbook.com . Just search on Stebbing. The costs are a bit cheaper and it's nice that you can buy parts and pieces. You'll see why later.
DVDs: The DVD set is a copy of the older VHS tapes. These videos are not done professionally in a glitzy studio; it's pretty obvious. However, they are clear and easy to understand, the navigation on the DVDs is acceptable, and the lessons are thorough. So far I have no complaints and I'm glad I bought them.
Workbooks: The workbooks include a written description for each lesson and an area for you to practice in, but frankly you'll need a sketchpad to continue to practice. Practice is the key to learning how to draw, after all. There are some extra blank pages in the back for you to use, as well, plus a student exam. Also, there are cardstock sheets that have "starter" artwork that the student needs to complete on the cardstock sheets. FYI: You can buy these separately, I believe...if not at Christianbook, then certainly at HGTA.com.
The drawing "tools" are very good quality. I don't have any complaints on them.
This is what I've learned: I could have gotten away with just buying the DVDs or VHS tapes and some inexpensive sketchpads, since the videos cover exactly what's in the books. You can buy a packet of extra stockcard sheets from HGTA. I could have written my own exam using just the info on the tapes/DVDs. He even shows you the pages out of the book so you know what the project should turn out like. But, buy the workbooks, by all means, if you do a lot of your work in the car or at the doctor's office, for ex. They're good for review and doodling/practice and don't cost that much to begin with.
Another thought that I had was, watch DVDs/VHS for the first book's worth of lessons and just use the second book to re-inforce what you've learned at your leisure and not worry with the DVDs, making it a 1 year program. Wkbook 2 repeats the lessons only with different projects, so you could use the second wkbook any way you wanted to. Of course, you still have lessons for wkbook 2 on the DVD/VHS to view. Since so much about art is practice practice practice, I don't think it's a waste to buy both workbooks, except for a child who hates art and doesn't want to pursue Drawing....but I've never met a kid who hated art. :)
Pros:
Easy to understand and thorough. Interesting projects, IMHO, and the projects are nec to learn the various techniques.
Inexpensive compared to several others out there, especially if you bypass the bundle and buy just what you need.
Mr. Stebbing provides information on building a Portfolio for College, which I found very helpful. My daughter is now considering a career in the Arts because of the info provided in the Introduction. (She's not a bad little artist. Time will tell if she pursues this new line of thinking ;) ).
Cons:
The workbooks are bound vs spiral bound, now. As a lefty I find this really annoying, since they expect you to do practice inside the book. But that's the only complaint that I have.
As an adult I can appreciate the necessity of, say, learning to draw from memory by opening a refridgerator and studying the contents for 30 seconds, then drawing them. Your 12-yo may complain that they'd rather draw something else. Still, it's up to the teacher to help them understand the point of the lessons. Also, since I'm drawing along side my student, she seems to enjoy the competition and complements I give her, so I prob won't have any real problems getting her to do the assignments.
Overall, I give the course an "A". Sorry, I can't compare this course with any others, as this is my first art course. All I can say is, you'll pay for what you need and learn how to draw, without a lot of unnecessary (costly?) glitz. It's certainly good enough for more mature High Schoolers who don't need a lot of flashy stuff.
Hope this helps someone.
Kim