In this live, online art class, students will learn drawing and acrylic painting while they learn art history.
"This is really a worldview class! Philosophy in pictures!"
Students learn about the worldview of each artist and how the artwork reveals worldview! Students get to do a drawing or a painting in response to each of 28 artists, creating a beautiful portfolio that tells the story of Western Culture.
This class is a great complement to:
Classical Conversations Challenge II Art History or
Challenge III Philosophy
Dual Enrollment for Fall 2025 will open May 1. If you enroll in the class before that time, you will get a reminder on May 1.
In this class, students will come to appreciate the great artists and art movements and understand their relationship to world events. They will learn to "read" a painting, and recognize the art styles and periods. They will learn drawing and painting techniques and create 30 pieces of art in an art journal. They can ask questions and get feedback on their art using our private online forum. At the end of the year, they will have their own illustrated art history portfolio which is sure to impress!
Meets weekly for an hour and a half
15 weeks per semester
Mondays at 11:30 am EST
Mondays at 4:00 pm EST
Tuesdays at 12:00 pm EST
Thursdays at 4:300 pm EST
$659 for the full year ($639 before June 10)
$349 per semester ($339 before June 10)
Pay for the full year and save!
These prices include the registration fee.
Registration fee is non-refundable. See FAQ for refund policy.
Classes are recorded, so if you miss a class, you can watch a recording later.
Note: in order to offer more sessions of this popular class, Assistant Teachers will be helping out the course creator, Courtney Sanford. The Monday 4:00 class will be led by Jennifer Whitaker and the Thursday class will be led by Alyssa Strauss . Other classes may have teaching assistants occasionally.
Click the button of the day/time you choose to go to check out.
There is an additional fee for dual enrollment in addition to tuition. Click the box below for details.
CLASS CALENDAR
Spring 2025:
Start: Week of Jan. 13
Spring Break: week of Mar 10
Last week of Class: April 28
Fall 2025
Start: Week of Aug. 18
Fall Break: Week of October 13*
Thanksgiving Break: Week of Nov. 24
Last Week of Class: Dec. 8
*Mon 11:30 and Tues 12 class.
Spring 2026
Monday 11:30 and Tuesday 12:00 classes:
Start: Week of Jan. 5
Spring Break: March 9-17
Last week: week of april 27
Monday 4:00 and Thursday Classes:
Start: Week of Aug. 18
Monday 4:00 class Fall break is Oct. 6.
Teachers will send their fall and spring break dates to their students.
PLUS: Bryan College offers a $500/year scholarship to students who have completed Paint Your Way Through Art History and later go to Bryan College. Request a certificate of completion from courtney@delightfulartco.com to send to your admissions counselor. You do not have to have done the dual enrollment to qualify.
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ALL CLASSES ARE RECORDED SO YOU CAN WATCH LATER IF YOU MISS A CLASS
Each class begins with a "Get-to-know-you" question then a review of student work. A short devotion and history slide show by Courtney Sanford follows. Teachers demonstrate either a drawing or a painting technique, then introduce the challenge for the week: an original composition using the skills introduced and content inspired by the artist studied. Students can follow the teacher or get creative and vary the project.
The Companion book, Reflections on Art History will be used in this class. It isn't required, but it is very helpful. You can find the book in the SHOP (check the top menu bar for BOOKS).
This class goes well with Classical Conversation's Challenge II's Western Cultural History strand. The 12 artists in Challenge 2 are covered in this class. (You do not need to be in Classical Conversations to take the class.)
Students will need a laptop with a camera and mic with which they will participate in class. Students will take a picture of their artwork after they've finished and upload it to our private online forum. They will log into the forum using the email and password used at the time of purchase.
To extend the lesson and earn a Western Cultural History credit, add readings from How Should We Then Live, by Francis Schaeffer (also availalbe in video format).
Note: tuition is per student. If siblings take the class, they both pay tuition.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Videos are intended for use by the purchaser only. Not intended for sharing outside your family with others or showing in a group setting. If you wish to watch the videos with others outside your family, please have all students pay for the class. These videos are not intended to be shown during Challenge II. By purchasing the course, you agree to these terms and conditions.
REGISTRATION FEE (included in the price of the class) is non-refundable. See the FAQ page for our refund policy.
What students are saying about this class:
"There's so many styles and ideas and things to try! It helped me grow in my art and learn about history at the same time."
"I loved learning about how the artists tied into history and linked up with each other - but also I loved painting, getting new ideas and opportunities, and getting feedback on it."
"I loved the history aspect of it, but I also really loved the chatting and intimacy of the class."
"The teacher is insanely nice and at the end of the class you’ve learned more about art history than you knew there even was."
"Honestly my favorite part was at the end when I could talk to Mrs. Sanford and create a bond and share my art."
"It's a very fun class and you learn about art history in depth!"
"I have improved a lot over these semesters with Mrs. Sanford. I have learned so much about all kinds of techniques and had so much fun along the way!"
"Mrs. Sanford is an excellent teacher and everyone should give her classes a try!"
"The historical context coupled with the emphasis on technique makes for a truly fresh perspective on the vast realm of art."
"The teacher is great and the projects are fun."
"I love painting, but I really liked branching out and trying drawing. I learned alot of technique. Really liked the history too."
"I liked hearing about the lives of the artists because it gave me an entirely new understanding and perspective of the painting! I really enjoyed being able to share the paintings with everyone else on the website I love my teacher and the people in my class and I am so grateful the we have the technology to be able to learn like this! Especially since I am all the way on the other side of the world!"
Supply List (You may make substitutions)
Strathmore Hard Back, Mixed Media Art Journal 11 x 14 (May substitute an XL spiral bound Mixed Media Art Journal)
Acrylic Paint in the following 5 colors:
Mars Black, titanium white, Phthalocyanine Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue
Fine tip black felt tip pen, and wide tip like a Sharpie
Variety of brushes including a 1 inch flat and a size 8 round
Colored Markers, any brand
Colored paper: construction paper or scrapbooking paper
Gold foil sheets or flakes
White Gesso (a primer)
Drawing pencils in a variety of hardness
Blending Tool
White eraser and needed eraser
Ruler (a 14 inch if you can find it)
The book: "Reflections on Art History" (available only on this website shop...click BOOKS in the top menu bar)
You Probably already have these things at home:
Jar for rinse water
Poster board to protect your table
Plastic plate for mixing paint
Paper towel or rag
Sketch book or copy paper
Container to keep everything in
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Students enrolled in Paint Your Way Through Art History can get college credit through Bryan College.
Click the graphic for more information.
