ABOUT THE COURSE
Paint Your Way Through Art History is the figurehead class at Delightful. Since its debut in 2020, it has braided art, history, and philosophy together into one year-long class. This combination makes it the most influential art class that your high school student will take. Lessons begin with the marks of cavemen on cave walls and travel across the timeline into the present day. Learning about the many cultural shifts in Western civilization will inform their understanding of our contemporary culture. Students will discover that beauty flows from worldview and that the Christian worldview has proved to have the most positive effect on art and culture.
Course Goal:
In this class, students will come to appreciate the great artists and art movements and understand their relationship to world events. They develop a foundational history of worldviews. They will learn to "read" a painting and recognize art styles and periods. They will learn drawing and acrylic painting techniques and create 30 pieces of art in a mixed media journal. They can ask questions and get feedback on their projects using our private online forum. At the end of the year, they will have their own beautifully illustrated art history portfolio! They also have the option to earn 4 college credits. All levels of experience are welcome.
Art techniques covered:
Acrylic painting methods and techniques, color theory, drawing with pencil and pen, perspective, patterns, cut paper, impressionism, pointillism, cubism, surrealism, and realism. Students create their own personal art history journal, full of paintings, drawings, exercises, and notes.
"This is really a worldview class!"
This course pairs wonderfully with the Western Cultural History strand in Classical Conversation's Challenge II. The 12 artists discussed in CC curriculum are among those covered in PYWT Art History. It also complements Challenge III’s philosophy strand. However, you do not need to be enrolled in Classical Conversations to benefit from this class—it easily stands alone.
To extend the lesson and earn an additional Western Cultural History credit, homeschoolers can add readings from How Should We Then Live by Francis Schaeffer (also available in video format).
CLASS CALENDAR
2026-27 School Year Classes will be held:
​​Mondays at 11:30 am EST (Courtney Sanford)
Tuesdays at 2:00 pm EST (Courtney Sanford)
Wednesdays at 11:30 am EST (Kinley Bowers)
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Fall 2026
Start: Week of Aug. 24
Duration: Meets 15 times per semester with a fall, spring, and Christmas break. Teachers will send their off dates to their students as these may vary. Classes are held once a week via Zoom. Each class is an hour and a half in length.
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Class Format:
Every class begins with a "get-to-know-you" question and a review of student work. A short devotion and history slideshow follows. Teachers demonstrate either a drawing or a painting technique, then introduce the challenge for the week: an original composition using their new skills and content inspired by the spotlight artist. Students can follow the teacher or get creative and vary the project.
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Classes are recorded so that students can catch up on their own time if they miss a class or want a review.
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Students will need a laptop with a camera and mic so that they can participate in class. Upon completion, students will take a picture 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.
The book, Reflections on Art History is very helpful. It contains reference photos that students will use in class. Click here or click the image below to purchase the book.
TUITION
Full Year: $749
Per Semester: $399
These prices include the registration fee.
The registration fee is non-refundable. See FAQ for refund policy.
All students who attend the live class pay tuition. Siblings get $50 off the regular, full-year price. (Discount applies at checkout of the second registration.)
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Note: Tuition is per student. If siblings take the class, both pay tuition.​​
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Videos and class link are intended for use by the purchaser only. Not intended to be shared with friends or shown in group settings. These videos are not intended to be shown during Challenge II. If you wish to watch the videos with others outside your family, please ensure that all students pay for the class. By purchasing the course, you agree to these terms and conditions.
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DUAL ENROLLMENT
Students enrolled in Paint Your Way Through Art History can receive college credit through Bryan College.
Dual Enrollment is open for the fall semester 2026 from May 1 - August 14.
Dual Enrollment is open for the spring semester 2027 from October 1 - December 1
Dual Enrollment is only open for a specific time each semester. Click the graphic below for details.
Click the graphic for more information.
What students are saying about this class:
"There are 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."
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!"
"The historical context coupled with the emphasis on technique makes for a truly fresh perspective on the vast realm of art."
"I love painting, but I really liked branching out and trying drawing. I learned a lot of techniques. Really liked the history too."
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"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 that 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)
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SUPPLY LIST (You may make substitutions)
​Links to Amazon for the trickier art supplies: Click here
Strathmore Hard Back, Mixed Media Art Journal 11 x 14 (Amazon)
(May substitute an XL spiral-bound Mixed Media Art Journal like those from Michaels)
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Acrylic paint in the following 5 colors:
Mars black, titanium white, phthalocyanine blue, quinacridone magenta, cadmium yellow medium hue
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Fine tip black pen and a 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 hardnesses
Blending Tool
White eraser and kneaded eraser
​Ruler (preferably a 14-inch one)
The book: "Reflections on Art History" (available only on this website shop...click BOOKS in the top menu bar)
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Items you probably already have 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 for storage
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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.
