KAT Academy • ONLINE fine art classes for homeschoolers • 2025-2026 school year

When does class meet?

Our hour and 15 minute long classes will meet over Zoom on Mondays for 32 weeks (4 additional weeks in June are also an option). Including any work your child does outside of class, this will satisfy New York State art requirements for 4th - 12th grade homeschoolers.

What will students learn?

In addition to inspiring lessons on art history and art appreciation, students will be taught many various skills related to drawing along with how to use drawing pencils, pen and ink, charcoal and conte’. There will also be some projects with reasonable deadlines that I will set once I see everyone’s working pace. Students should plan to work on art projects outside of class a little each week and can contact me during the week if help is needed.

What will class be like?

Class structure will generally follow a routine of learning a new skill for the day / art history / drawing exercises followed by quiet time working on the assigned project while I speak with each student and give individual help on what they’re working on. There will also be time for fun art-related activities (especially for the younger students) to keep everyone engaged and break up a period of working on projects if needed. The extra 15 minutes gives us time for switching subjects, getting supplies settled, analyzing art with discussion, and more one-on-one time with me. All students benefit from overhearing instruction to each student while they work.

Depending on the best way for families to connect with me (email, a private facebook group.. etc), I will set up a way for each student to send me pictures of their work before class so I can give them help, correction and encouragement based on what they’re currently working on.

Subjects and Mediums we will cover:

• Sketching from life

• Sighting and Measuring

• Smooth tone

• Charcoal

• White and black charcoal on toned paper

• Perspective

• Gesture Sketching

• Portraiture

• Animals. fur and hair

• Pen and Ink

• Stipple

• Line drawing and illustration

• Conte’ on toned paper

Your child will also:

• Learn various monochromatic mediums

• Complete projects with deadlines

• Practice following directions and guidelines

• Learn greater attention to detail and good presentation

• Learn about various artists, mediums, art movements, etc.

• Develop skills for critiquing and enjoying art

• Be taught best practices for visiting galleries and museums

Where are classes held?

We will meet over Zoom.

What supplies are needed?

Most supplies will be inexpensive. I will give notice a few weeks before with detailed info to give you time to locate and purchase them. Some other small supplies will be needed or recommended as we move through the school year. Here is a list of supplies that will be needed throughout the year so you can gauge possible costs.

• Bristol Board pad (size will be determined by age group)

• Tracing Paper (same size as Bristol Board)

• Pencil Set and sharpener

• Sketchbook

• White Eraser
  

  Later on in the year:

• Charcoal pencils and toned paper

• A set of Micron pens

• Conte sticks and toned paper or board

• Odds and ends like a ruler, T-square, clear tape, etc. A small tabletop drafting table would be helpful but not required.

Most art supplies are 40% every other week at Hobby Lobby and Michaels often runs sales as well as gives coupons.

What supplies are needed on the first day of class?

• Set of drawing pencils: Can be found at any art store like Hobby Lobby, Michaels and also Amazon. These pencils come in a range of light (H) to dark (B) graphite and the range will look like something like this: 4H, 2H, HB, 3B, 6B. As long as you have some H’s and some B’s the set will be fine. Two examples: Small Set and Large Set.

• White Eraser: White erasers work best and won’t stain your paper. They can be found by the drawing pencils at the arts stores. Example erasers on Amazon.

• Sketchbook: 8×10 or larger is recommended
  

  Sometime in September

• A half inch 3-ring notebook: recommended to keep handouts and project specs for the school year.

• Good Sources: We will use pictures to draw from for more in depth projects a few weeks after class begins. Start collecting high quality images your child would like use as sources to draw from throughout the year. Pages from magazines are best. National Geographic for animals, places, nature and people. Printed picture books on any topic are also a good option. Prints from a home computer will not have as crisp detail or high contrast as printed magazines or books will have. I will send pictures to show examples of good sources in September. Having a collection of images your child likes will help when the time comes to choose their next subject.

What happens with missed classes or cancellations?

If your child misses a class, they will still receive any handouts that I handed out, if they missed something that I can’t catch them up on during the next class, I will email the info or record a video for them so they’re not behind. Refunds are not given for missed classes.

If class is cancelled (due to my illness, etc.), we will make up the class time at everyone’s convenience with Tuesdays or Fridays being options for make-up classes.

I have kids in both age groups, can they still take class together?

I can be flexible on age groups as long as the situation is comfortable for all other students. For instance, I may not put a 9 year old in with high school teens for several reasons, but if your older child is able to take the class with younger children, that is fine with me. Contact me and I’ll be glad to find a solution.