Art Course

Learn new ways to express your art at home at your own page with Stratford's home study Art course!



We understand that artistic inspiration can strike at any time, not just between four walls during an art class. That is why, unlike other art courses, Stratford lets you complete your studies when and where it is most convenient for you.

Stratford's robust curriculum is designed to help individuals of all skills levels get the most out of their art education studies. View the entire art course curriculum now

With a focus on pastel, watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting, each section greatly details a broad spectrum of style and perspective for a well-rounded art education experience.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual salary for a craft and fine artist is $53,140.*

Stratford's ART course has 5 Modules and a total of 17 lessons.
This course is self-guided with ongoing support from instructors as requested. Once you successfully pass exams in one module, the next module will be made available to you.

An Introduction to Art and Drawing

Module 1 - Lesson 1
The Elements of Design
Value
Color
Shape
Texture
Contrast
Repetition and Variety
Balance and Dominance

Module 1 - Lesson 2
Subject Matter Decisions
Focus and Details
Design Tools
Alternating Formats
Composition
Perspective
Tips and Tricks for Media and Technique
Practical Assignment

Module 1 - Lesson 3
Setting Up to Draw
Materials, Papers, and Tools
Warming Up
Projects
Facial Features
Hands and Feet
The Human Form
Finding Models
Drawing on Inner Life
Mandala Drawing
Practical Assignment

Mastering Pastel

Module 2 - Lesson 1
Types of Pastels
Setting Up Your Work Space
Papers and Surfaces
Starting to Draw
Understanding Tone
Character and Decoration
Various Pastel Techniques
Pressure Variation and Texture
Using and Designing with Color

Module 2 - Lesson 2
Landscapes
Hills and Rocks
Tonal Contrast and Sharp Edges
Skies and Clouds
Water, Waves, and Spray
Light on the Water
Sunlight
Trees, Leaves, and Foliage
Groups of Trees

Module 2 - Lesson 3
Developing a Color Study
Anchoring Darks
Painting an Architectural Structure in a Landscape
Understanding Artistic License
Aspects of Dominant Value
Composing a Still-Life
Massing Lights, Middle Tones and Darks


Watercolor Wanderlust

Module 3 - Lesson 1
An Introduction to Mixing Watercolor Paints
Selecting the Appropriate Brush Type
Understanding Painting Orientation
Using Supplementary Tools
Watercolor Washes and Wet-on-wet Techniques
Softening and Blending Colors

Module 3 - Lesson 2
Practicing the Dry Brush Technique
Applying Flat Washes
Painting Shadows
Creating Edge Effects
Working With Multiple Colors
General Sketching
Understanding Shape, Value and Hue
Gouache for Highlights, Gradient Washes and Saturation

Module 3 - Lesson 3
Creating a Watercolor Palette for Water Landscapes
Using Organic Shapes and Textures to Create Authenticity
Understanding Water Reflection Techniques and Splatter Techniques
Using Dry Brushing and Lifting Out Techniques for Water Scenes

Painting in Acrylic

Module 4 - Lesson 1
Introduction to the Tools and Materials Used in Acrylic Painting
Paint Brushes and Painting Surfaces
Color Fundamentals, Mixing Neutrals and Aspects of Value
Basic and Special Techniques with Acrylic Paints
Establishing Atmospheric Perspective

Module 4 - Lesson 2
Building Up Layers with Acrylic Paints
Indicating a Horizon Line in a Landscape Painting
Developing Background and Foreground in a Landscape Painting
Creating Blades of Grass, Flower Stems, Foliage and Tree Details with Acrylic Paints

Module 4 - Lesson 3
Working with Removable Tape in an Acrylic Painting to Develop Crisp Lines
Aspects of Acrylic Glazing
Exercising Artistic License in an Acrylic Painting
Techniques for Painting Flowers and Flower Bulbs

Module 4 - Lesson 4
Selecting a Color Palette for a Still Life Acrylic Painting
The Significance of Composition and Light in a Still Life Painting
Using Acrylic Paints and Supplementary Materials to Create Texture

The Beginners Guide to Oil Painting

Module 5 - Lesson 1
Painting a Sphere in Grayscale
Using Ivory Black and Titanium White Paints
Mixing Five Shades of Gray
Completing a Palette of Seven Values
Understanding Value and Tonal Transitions

Module 5 - Lesson 2
Painting a Piece of Fruit with Emphasis on Color Temperature and Vibrancy
Demonstrating How Light Source Affects Color Temperature
Illustrating Vibrancy of Color

Module 5 - Lesson 3
Techniques for Painting Glass
Differentiating a Glass Object from the Transparent Background
Considering Glass Thickness and Reflective Properties
Painting a Reflective Surface; Displaying Color Interaction and Vantage Points
Managing Distortion

Module 5 - Lesson 4
Incorporating Multiple Ideas into An Oil Painting
Accentuating Texture
Painting Several Objects Grouped Together or One Object with Multiple Materials
Understanding the Elements of Spacing and Light Reflection

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This educational program is an introductory course designed to help students gain knowledge necessary for the vocational application of this subject. Completion of this program does not fulfill the legal requirements of particular state licenses or certifications, which may require additional training or apprenticeships. One or more of the course subjects/textbooks may vary as courses are updated.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2021 Edition