Homeschool Reviews of The Drawing Breakthrough Book

"I remember taking an art class in middle school and feeling so lost and never successful with drawing. The teacher never explained the common drawing techniques that are needed. I resorted to feeling that I would always be the type that would draw stick figures and make explanations that I just was not an artist.

"The Drawing Breakthrough Book made me feel like an artist. I could not believe the results as I went through the program step-by-step. The concepts were very easy to understand, and unitimidating for a person like me who used to be afraid to draw.

"This is an amazing program. It brought out the artist in me that I never knew existed! I cannot begin to tell you the confidence that I now feel in my drawing abilities. It is a pleasure to spend part of my day learning how to draw from this program.

"I highly recommend this program for young budding artists, such as my children, and for those grown-ups who have felt like failures as artists." Back to top

(Kim W., Homeschool Educator, October 2007)

"Step-by-step, it guides you to look at objects, whether you decide to pursue art or not, in a way that you have never seen before. With very simple everyday objects, you can learn to visualize, measure, and draw accurately....WE highly recommend this book." Back to top

("The Rayasam Family, Texas Homeschoolers!!" September 2007)

"Georgia O'Keefe said 'Art is filling space in a beautiful way.' In his new book, John Hastings helps us see that space in a beautiful way. The Drawing Breakthrough Book: A Shortcut to Artistic Excellence lets the user see things as shapes, as lines, and as the absence of space. My 11-year-old, who loves to draw and is quite adept at it said, 'Wow, I never thought of looking at things like this! I can't wait to get started! I highly recommend this book for homeschooling families or anyone else who wants to learn how to draw from a very different point of view." Back to top

(Spencer W., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

"Since my children are young (ages seven and nine), so much of our art studies up to this point have been nothing more than making crafts. I am excited about having a book like The Drawing Breakthrough Book that really explains a concept and then gives such wonderful examples and exercises to make the point. The tips included in the gray boxes throughout the book are very helpful.

"The pictures and sketches are great and make this book completely user-friendly. The text is straightforward and easy to understand. It's a great book for those of us who aren't artists but have children who could be someday!

"I would recommend this book for ages 10 and up. Even an adventurous nine-year-old (like mine) can easily follow along and learn these art concepts. The book really makes you look at the things around you in a whole different perspective." Back to top

(Kim E., Homeschool Educator, October 2007)

"I wasn't sure about this book at first. I thought that it didn't quite contain enough information for it to be very valuable in teaching art. But then I really started to read what it said. It had a lot of valuable information that I had never heard of. I think it is a good resource for parents who don't do well with art." Back to top

(Stacy B., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

"This book is very practical and a must companion for observational drawing
classes.

"My initial reaction upon receiving this book and its basis was that it was inferior to many of the books and studies from my background as an art major as well as teaching some drawing classes. Upon 'doodling' the [very first simple] exercises and having my group from four to 12-year-olds practice these exercises, I found this book to be very practical and an excellent help to teaching seeing and observing...valuable skills for drawing....Much more practical than the more formal approach we usually use." Back to top

(Laura M., Homeschool Educator, October 2007)

"I highly recommend this drawing book, especially for people who think that they can't draw. Even my Mom can draw more than stick figures now, after reading the book. It was very enjoyable to read and the layout and exercises were easy to follow." Back to top

(Nathan W., 12-year-old Homeschool Student, September 2007)

"Very original. [This book] tackles an old concept with new enthusiasm! Very easy to understand, and follow along. The author encourages you to pursue your own style of drawing through simple exercises and helpful tips." Back to top

(Alisha G., 16-year-old Homeschool Student, August 2007)

"After The Drawing Breakthrough Book arrived at my door, I sat down with a cup of coffee to review this book. To my surprise, I found it very refreshing and unlike any art book I have ever read or used in the past.

"I found that the instructions are very easy to follow and so simplistic that my 9-year-old was able to read and understand the content in its pages. I see us using this little book quite often for both its instructional and reference information. Anyone from age 9 to adult can use this book. I would definitely recommend this book to others in our homeschooling community.

"Thanks so much for writing a book like this!" Back to top

(Randee V.H., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

"I had the good fortune of reviewing this book along with my 15-year-old. We both really like the book, and have decided to use it as part of his art program this year. I have searched through many art curriculums, books, etc., and have not found anything as good as this. It did not speak down to him, but was very informative, like having an art teacher in the room.

"I would recommend this for 10 and up, as I think some of the drawing instructions are written for the older child, my 8-year-old got a little lost with it, and liked her art books better.

"It is very user-friendly. Mr. Hastings details through word and picture what he is trying to give the student. Very easy to use and understand. I highly recommend this book, as it is so user friendly and as stated earlier is like having an art teacher walking you through the steps to improve, or, as in my son's case and mine, to learn to draw. We really started seeing the lines in art when we looked at the different arts of the masters." Back to top

(Lisa M., "Homeschool Mom," and Alex M., "Homeschool Student 9th Grade," September 2007)

"I was introduced to John Hastings' The Drawing Breakthrough Book: A Shortcut to Artistic Excellence while homeschooling my 3rd grader. As I attempted to teach her drawing through a popular art curriculum, I found that the perfectionist in her struggled and I felt helpless as I had never received any formal artistic training and was embarrassed at even my stick figure drawings. Frustrated, I wondered how I could assist her in overcoming her lack of confidence when I could not seem to rise above my own.

"Then I read Hastings' book. It was a godsend, and particularly useful in my situation, as it was geared toward the older student – Jr. High to Adult. One Saturday, I sat down and began the book, all the while cringing at the thought of having to endure the humiliation of not being able to naturally draw like a pro. However, before I even finished the introduction, a spark of hope flickered within me. Hastings' passion for drawing shined through as he listed helpful hints and tips while reminding the reader that even though supplies, lighting, etc. are useful, the key is to simply realize the joy of drawing. By the end of the second chapter, the flickering hope had turned into a flame and I was proudly showing my husband the results of my newfound skills.

"I heartily recommend this book for older students, especially those who have tried other drawing programs that focus more on the finished product, rather than the process. Hastings' teaching format was easy to follow without being overwhelming or time consuming: you practice wherever you are, as you are able. This book has given me the confidence to know that I can teach my child drawing by learning myself and, by doing so, I will be able to give her the jump start in drawing that I never had. I have this book within easy reach at home so that I can quickly practice during 'recess' and fully expect to use it when my daughter is older so that she can refine and advance her skills as an artist." Back to top

(Carla L., "Homeschooling Mom," September 2007)

"The Drawing Breakthrough Book has been an immense help in creating the details in drawing. It has precise drawing instructions to achieve scale for details. I would recommend this book for someone who has started drawing and is looking for some how-to's. We used it within our homeschool with 9-year-olds. It has helped their drawings look more life-like and much less stick-like!" Back to top

(Laurie W., "Homeschooling Mom," September 2007)

"The Drawing Breakthrough Book seems to be helpful for art lessons for ages 10 and up and independent studies ages 12 and up. The tip boxes found throughout the book really help to clarify the directions. I especially appreciated that there was no objectionable material/subjects found in it." Back to top

(Vera B., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

"I am always looking for practical, hands-on books to help teach my children. I was so excited about this book because drawing is not an area I have any experience in – matter of fact, the only lesson I had was as a Brownie Girl Scout!

"When I saw The Drawing Breakthrough Book, I was intrigued and ordered it right away. I was thrilled to get it and my daughter and I sat down immediately to read it. The steps on how to get the most from the book and getting organized to draw showed us how easy it is to get started and that the 'equipment' needed is not complex – most of it we already had and my daughter got her paper and tape out right away.

"Our plan is to use the book to build the foundation for drawing. As part of our daily homeschooling, my children journal and they like to do a drawing for their subject. They have been frustrated at not being able to translate their idea into a picture. The text and pictures in The Drawing Breakthrough Book are so easy to follow and understand; both my children (8-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl) were able to sit down and do the exercises with little help from me. As a matter of fact, I am excited about being able to learn right alongside them!

"My children also participate in a 4-H Club that I lead for ages K-6th Grade. This year my daughter entered an original drawing in our county fair. She earned a blue ribbon and the judge encouraged her to continue to pursue her drawing. This book is going to help her to do that and I am going to use it as a resource at our club meetings and encourage the kids and their parents to get their own copy.

"I highly recommend this book and believe the steps John Hastings has put together will help those who feel 'artistically challenged' whether 2 or 80 to see [all types of] lines clearly and watch their drawings come to life. What a fantastic tool!!" Back to top

(Teri F., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

"The Drawing Breakthrough Book is a confidence builder for anyone who feels they have limited art skills. The author includes simple, yet effective exercises that help build skill as well as confidence. The exercises are easy, so one does not have to be afraid to try regardless of skill level. This book works for all ages. My son, like me, has limited art skills and he hates starting any art project. He was not afraid to start these exercises; they clearly helped him see and draw better. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to refine their skills. It works!" Back to top

(R. Scheetz, Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

"The Drawing Breakthrough Book is a true treasure. My daughter just loves going through the individual practice steps. This book has clear step-by-step instructions, accompanied by pictures. It is very easy to understand, and even I, who could not draw if it would save my life, can follow the instructions and actually draw an identifiable object. Even someone who has never drawn before will get started in no time.

"This book takes you from selecting the right tools and organizing your space and time, through learning the basics about shapes, to drawing a whole picture. There is nothing intimidating about drawing anymore.

"Thank you Mr. Hastings for writing this book, and giving us good, wholesome art instruction." Back to top

(B. W., Homeschool Educator, August 2007)

"I love the way this book is written in everyday language rather than using a lot of art terms we aren't familiar with. It is fun to read and has lots of great ideas and exercises. I think anyone, regardless of their age, could improve their drawing with this book.

"I've reviewed the entire book, but I've only had a chance to work through the first few exercises on paper. I feel like some of his ideas in Chapter 1 have helped me already. I love the cover of the book and think the title of the book is quite appropriate.

"I think it would appeal to homeschoolers because the drawing techniques can be self-taught by an older child and it's written very clearly. The drawings make it very easy to understand each technique being explained." Back to top

(Kim W., Homeschool Educator, August 2007)

"I felt that this book has a unique approach to making drawing easier. I understand a lot more about using reference points, and as a homeschool educator, I think it will help me significantly in communicating that information to my students. The exercises included in it are easy to do, and gave me a lot of insight into what I could be doing better." Back to top

(Valarie L., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

"I enjoyed working through [The Drawing Breakthrough Book] little bits at a time. I liked the use of photographs to illustrate lines, perspective, and shape, this was very helpful to me. The language used in the instruction was clear and easy to understand and I found the use of bold face type to guide me along especially useful.

"I think we may use this book as a family time activity during the winter months and I am looking forward to seeing my family's 'artist within' released. Because I enjoyed the comfortable way the subject was presented I will recommend this book to other homeschooling families. It's not likely that any of my art will end up hanging any place other than the refrigerator, but I am proud of my work!" Back to top

(Holly H., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

How will this book fit your needs for creating art-related lesson plans?

"This book will definitely fit my needs and the needs of my children. I can now teach them art in a way that we all enjoy. My 13-year-old son didn't want to do it when I handed it to him, but once he got started, he didn't want to stop!"

What age range do you think the book is best suited for?

"I had my 8th grade (13-year-old) son read through parts of the book and do some of the exercises. He was able to do them quickly and very well."

How user-friendly is this book compared to other art or drawing books?

"It seems to be very user friendly. My son was able to understand and duplicate what he was asked to do on his own without any questions. I was able to explain it easily to my two younger children and they, too, caught on and were able to complete what was asked of them easily."

Would you recommend this book to others? (And why or why not?)

"I would recommend this book to others. It has a lot of great ideas and ways to teach kids (and adults) the basics and to move on easily from there." Back to top

(Robin G., Homeschool Educator, October 2007)

"My 12 and 14-year-old were able to take an 'art class' while I was helping some of the smaller kids with other work. My 14-year-old enjoys drawing but was unable to grasp the concept of shading and proportion. While using this book he said he finally understands!!! What a wonderful statement for a homeschool mom to hear!!" Back to top

(Cheryl B., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

Note: The next three reviews (from Tracy T., Lynzi T., and Scottie T.) are from one family.

"A few weeks ago, I received John Hastings' book The Drawing Breakthrough Book: A Shortcut to Artistic Excellence to review. After looking at the cover illustration and flipping through the book, my initial reaction was one of indifference. You see, my children and I have tried a lot of drawing books but haven't found any that we really liked. Either they were too hard, moved too quickly, or were just boring.

"My 15-year-old daughter is very creative and can draw fairly well. My 13-year-old son is special needs and has difficulty writing his alphabet, so art is a stretch for him. He loves to draw, but gets easily frustrated. To find a drawing/art curriculum that could both hold my daughter's interest as well as capture my son’s mind has been difficult, I guess I could even say impossible. I cannot count the number of books I have purchased, only to put them up on the shelf after a couple of days. The Drawing Breakthrough Book is different.

"When I initially told my daughter I needed her to 'review' the book, she offered a few grunts and a few buts. After the first few minutes of skimming the pages to see if she would like it (she thinks she MUST do this with all of her books), she was intrigued. So intrigued that she asked if she could start it that day; of course, she said, 'just to get it over with.' My son was also reluctant to review the book because of the difficulty he has with art.

"After trying out the book for a couple of weeks, my daughter, son and I discussed our likes and dislikes of the book. I will give you my review here, but will attach my son and daughter’s reviews as written [see below]. Please understand, my daughter is a very creative dyslexic; while my son is 'special needs.'

"The question was posed 'How will this book fit your needs for creating art-related lesson plans?' The Drawing Breakthrough Book does not need lesson plans. I gave the book to my 15-year-old daughter, who was able to just 'run with it.' My 13-year-old son needed some guidance, though. It is written so as to use it as a stand-alone curriculum, or to give you 'jump off' points for further exploration.

"Compared to the many other curriculums my family has tried, The Drawing Breakthrough Book is very user friendly. It is concise, yet complete. It starts at the basics, yet is not boring. It sets the groundwork, not only for drawing, but also for basic art appreciation; i.e. lighting, methods, and finding focal points in art. Because of this, I feel the book would be appropriate for ages 10 and up.

"This is definitely a book that I will recommend to others. Not only is it an excellent curriculum, at $15.95, its price is affordable to everyone and absolutely worth every penny.

"Thank you for giving my family the opportunity to review The Drawing Breakthrough Book: A Shortcut to Artistic Excellence. It was an enjoyable experience that ignited our love of drawing…and made it a little better. It is definitely a curriculum that my family will be using." Back to top

(Tracy T., Homeschool Educator, September 2007)

What age range do you think the book is best suited for?

"10 to 99 years."

How user-friendly is this book compared to other art or drawing books?

"It doesn't start off with complicated drawings like some of the other books we have used. It also explains the lesson instead of throwing you into the work with two sentences of explanation."

Would you recommend this book to others? (And why or why not?)

"I would recommend this book to others. I would because it is easy enough to understand and learn the lesson. I would also recommend this book because it written at a level that a beginning drawer would feel like an experienced artist.

"I like the art on the cover, too." Back to top

(Lynzi T., 15-year-old Homeschool Student, (dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD) September, 2007)

What age range do you think the book is best suited for?

"13 to 20 years old."

How user-friendly is this book compared to other art or drawing books?

"It helps you draw the things better than other books."

Would you recommend this book to others? (And why or why not?)

"Yes, I would tell people about this book because it really helped me draw better. I like drawing but I don’t do it really good." Back to top

(Scottie T., 13-year-old Homeschool Student, (Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, Bipolar disorder) September 2007)