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EnglishWhat is How Great Thou ART?
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How Great Thou ART is a Christian homeschool art curriculum site created by artist and teacher Barry Stebbing. It provides drawing and painting instruction for ages 3 through adult, and is used by homeschooling families, Christian schools, and art classrooms. The site describes its programs as affordable, easy for parents to teach, and time-tested over 20+ years, with recognition including Cathy Duffy Top Picks.
Who it's for
The curriculum is organized by age band, so you can pick a starting point based on the student rather than a single grade level:
| Age range | Stage |
|---|---|
| 3–5 | Preschool |
| 6–11 | Elementary |
| 11–13 | Middle School |
| 13–adult | High School and up |
The site also notes the material suits Christian schools and general art classrooms, not only home use.
What it teaches
The stated approach is fundamentals-first: drawing and painting basics, color theory, and step-by-step instruction. The site frames this with the verse “...Precept upon precept, Line upon line...” (Isaiah 28:10), signaling a sequential, incremental teaching style rather than open-ended creative play.
Instruction comes in two main forms:
- Print curriculum — age-banded books and courses, including titles such as Classics for the Little Ones (ages 3–5), Beginning Drawing with Wally the Worm, and a children's story-based course built around a Canada goose named Joseph.
- DVD courses — described as masterfully produced in the studios of the American Family Association, with step-by-step lessons, fundamentals for all ages, color theory, and beginning painting. Each DVD course is listed at 6 hours of lessons.
There is also a broadcast component: Mr. Stebbing teaches Beginning Drawing & Painting on NRBTV, Saturdays at 10:00 am.
What it costs
The page shows discount pricing on several titles, with "was" and "now" figures:
| Title | Ages | Was | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classics for the Little Ones | 3–5 | $10.95 | — |
| Social graces course (Annie's) | 4–8 | $14.95 | $7.95 |
| Joseph the goose story course | 6–9 | $14.95 | $7.95 |
| Illustrated children's Bible stories with art lessons (286 pages, hardbound) | 4–9 | $24.95 | $9.95 |
The site describes the curriculum overall as inexpensive, and a checkout page exists for purchasing. It also points to a recommended art materials list, and some titles note "Inquire about our recommended materials" — meaning supplies may need to be sourced separately. The page does not state whether ordering requires an account or whether shipping is included, so check the checkout page for those details.
How to decide if it fits
Choose this if you want:
- A Christian-perspective art program you can teach without an art background
- Age-banded material that runs from preschool through adult
- DVD-led instruction as an alternative or supplement to parent-led lessons
- A low per-title cost, especially at the discounted prices shown
Look elsewhere if you want a secular curriculum, a live online class format, or a program centered on open-ended studio exploration rather than sequential fundamentals.
To start, browse by age band, confirm the recommended materials for the title you pick, and check the current price at checkout — the "was/now" figures on the page are promotional and may change.