This nine-volume DVD art course has four lessons or "club meetings" on each disc for a total of 36 lessons. It is easy to see how this would transfer to a year's worth of weekly art lessons. Each lesson runs about 10 to 12 minutes. Once important feature is the art instructor, Pat Knepley, a Christian who weaves Scripture and praise for our Creator into the lessons, referring to her Bible to quote an apt passage.

I received volumes 1-3 for review. The first volume, "The Basics," covers tools; line, contours and composition; and drawing what you see rather than what you know. The second volume, "Shapes and Space," teaches shape; positive and negative space; and combining line, shape, and space. "Value and Color" is the title of the third volume, which discusses value; tone, shade, and shadow; and color. Each disc also contains a bonus lesson taught by a different instructor. For example, Volume Two has a class on creative lettering by Heidi Shorts.

Pat Knepley's instructions are clearly explained so you can learn each new technique. She repeats important concepts from lesson to lesson to help students remember them, and she is very upbeat and friendly. Although the press release says these DVDs are "perfect for all ages," my 10 and 12-year-old daughters thought the teacher "talked down" to them, so maybe the course would be best for young elementary students.

Each lesson begins with the instructor listing the supplies you will need so that you can gather your supplies right away. You will not need a lot of special equipment to use this art program. Basic tools are simply any kind of paper (computer paper is fine) and a standard #2 pencil. To complete all of the assignments, the full list of supplies also includes drawing paper, charcoal or a charcoal pencil, a Sharpie marker, 12 colored pencils, a pencil sharpener, a box of more than 16 crayons, a white eraser, and a kneaded eraser.

My teenager appreciated the camera views. Pat Knepley is always looking at the camera, and the camera zooms in on the subject matter. It is very professionally done.

I wish I'd had this art curriculum when my children were younger. Artist Pat Knepley and her friends make learning to draw an achievable goal. I recommend this DVD program as an enjoyable, easy way to teach art to young students.

Product review by Kathy Gelzer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, August 2011