Creating a Masterpiece is an award-winning online fine arts curriculum featuring step-by-step video instruction across 28+ art media, designed for homeschool students ages 5 through adult.
What is Creating a Masterpiece?
Creating a Masterpiece is a video-based art curriculum developed by artist Sharon Hofer, who brings over three decades of fine arts experience to each lesson. The program offers step-by-step instruction across three main tracks: Art Essentials (covering 28+ media types), a focused Drawing Program, and Art History projects that connect technique with historical periods. Students work at their own pace through streaming video lessons, with each project typically spanning 3-4 lessons over about three weeks.
Key Takeaways
- Offers step-by-step video instruction suitable for all skill levels, from complete beginners to advanced artists
- Covers 28+ art media including watercolor, acrylic, oil pastel, sculpture, glass mosaic, and batik
- Uses level-based progression (Levels 1-5) rather than age-based, accommodating varied abilities
- Monthly subscription of $39.99 includes access to all programs and levels
- Multi-age friendly design allows siblings to work on the same projects together at their own pace
What's Included in the Subscription
A Creating a Masterpiece subscription unlocks three distinct programs. Art Essentials features 80+ projects across 200+ lessons, teaching everything from charcoal sketching to copper tooling and silk painting. The Drawing Program offers 60 projects in 80+ lessons focused on pencil, colored pencil, and charcoal techniques. Art in History provides 35 projects spanning Greek, Byzantine, Medieval, Baroque, Romanticism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism periods. Lessons are broken into manageable segments of just a few minutes each, making it easy to fit art instruction into busy homeschool schedules.
Art Supplies and Materials
Creating a Masterpiece emphasizes using quality art supplies to help students achieve professional-looking results. Each project includes a detailed supply list, and the program has partnered with BlickU to offer pre-curated supply carts that simplify purchasing. While this approach produces impressive student work, families should budget for ongoing supply costs beyond the subscription fee. Many homeschoolers build their supply collection gradually, tackling projects that use materials they already own while slowly expanding their art room inventory.
Who It's Best For
This curriculum shines for families wanting comprehensive, expert-led art instruction without needing artistic ability themselves. The level-based system (rather than grade-based) means a kindergartner and a middle schooler can work on the same project at their own pace, making it particularly valuable for multi-age homeschools. Visual and kinesthetic learners thrive with the hands-on approach. However, families on tight budgets may find the combined cost of subscription plus quality supplies adds up quickly. Sharon Hofer's teaching philosophy emphasizes "mastery over perfection," helping students build confidence while developing genuine artistic skills.
The Bottom Line
Creating a Masterpiece offers one of the most comprehensive art education options available to homeschoolers. The video format eliminates the need for parents to have any artistic background, while the variety of media keeps students engaged year after year. If you've struggled to fit meaningful art instruction into your homeschool or found yourself defaulting to YouTube tutorials, this structured program provides the accountability and progression many families need. The investment in quality supplies pays dividends when students produce work they're genuinely proud to display.
