What Art Skills and Subjects Are Taught in How Great Thou ART Courses?

How Great Thou ART teaches drawing and painting fundamentals, color theory, and—for its youngest students—lettering and beginning writing, all through step-by-step lessons presented from a Christian perspective. The curriculum spans preschool (ages 3–5) through high school and adult, so the specific skills taught depend on which level you choose. DVD courses add filmed, follow-along instruction for drawing and painting.

Core Skills Covered Across the Curriculum

The program describes itself as teaching "the Fundamentals" with "Easy to Follow Instructions," organized around the principle "precept upon precept, line upon line" (Isaiah 28:10). Across its courses, the skills include:

• Drawing fundamentals — built through sequential, step-by-step lessons
• Beginning painting — covered in the DVD courses
• Color theory — taught as part of the DVD instruction
• Lettering and beginning writing — introduced at the preschool level
• Simple art lessons tied to stories and scripture — used in the younger-age courses

Skills by Age Level

The curriculum is divided into four age bands, and the content shifts accordingly:

For the youngest students, the emphasis is on pre-writing and fine-motor skills rather than formal drawing technique. For older students, the focus moves to drawing, painting, and color theory.

DVD Instruction: What It Adds

The DVD courses are described as "masterfully produced in the studios of the American Family Association" and include:

• Step-by-step instructions
• Teaching the fundamentals to all ages
• Color theory
• Beginning painting
• 6 hours of lessons in each DVD course

Beginning Drawing with Wally the Worm is one example: students follow along with paper and pencil, and parents can join in. These are designed to work for both home use and Christian school or art classroom settings.

Subjects Beyond Technique

Several courses combine art lessons with other subjects:

• Classics for the Little Ones (ages 3–5) pairs art with lettering, early math, writing, Bible stories, and games — over 100 pages.
• Annie's (ages 4–8) teaches social graces and scriptures alongside simple art lessons — dinner etiquette, listening, obeying parents, writing thank-you cards.
• The Canada goose story (ages 6–9) about Joseph the goose and farmer Elmer includes many easy art lessons.
• A hardbound children's Bible story collection (ages 4–9, 286 pages) combines favorite Bible stories with simple art lessons, illustrated entirely by children.

How to Decide Which Course Fits

Match the course to your student's age band first, then to the skill you want to build:

• Pre-writing and motor skills → preschool materials (ages 3–5)
• First formal drawing lessons → elementary courses such as Beginning Drawing with Wally the Worm
• Painting and color theory → the DVD courses
• Older students wanting fundamentals → middle school through adult levels

The site notes that recommended art materials are available, and that you can inquire about them for specific courses. If you want to preview the teaching style before buying, the site points to Beginning Drawing & Painting broadcasts with Mr. Stebbing on NRBTV, Saturdays at 10:00 am.