Discovering Great Artists: Hands-On Art Experiences in the Styles of Great Masters

Discovering Great Artists by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Kim Solga is an award-winning art education resource that introduces children to over 60 great artists through hands-on art activities inspired by each artist's unique style and techniques. Now in a fully updated and colorful edition, this book combines art history, art appreciation, and studio art into one comprehensive and engaging curriculum.

The book is organized chronologically, taking students on a journey through art history from the Renaissance to contemporary art. Each artist entry includes a concise biography explaining why the artist's work is significant, followed by a kid-tested art activity that allows students to explore the artist's techniques firsthand. Artists featured include Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet, Georgia O'Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, and many more.

Activities range from simple projects suitable for preschoolers to more complex ones that challenge older students. Materials are readily available household items and basic art supplies, making the book practical and affordable for homeschooling families. Each project includes clear step-by-step instructions, a materials list, and suggestions for variations and extensions.

What makes Discovering Great Artists exceptional as a homeschool art curriculum is its integration of multiple disciplines. Students learn history, geography, and cultural studies alongside art techniques. The book naturally lends itself to unit studies and can be coordinated with history curricula to study artists alongside the historical periods they lived in.

The updated edition features full-color photographs of completed projects, improved layout, and additional activities. With 150 pages of content, this book provides enough material for an entire year of art education. It has won numerous awards including recognition from Parents' Choice and is widely recommended by homeschool curriculum reviewers as one of the best resources for bringing art history to life.