I know this board leans heavily towards movies, TV, and music (though the forum description includes "art"). But maybe someone can help me.

My daughter really enjoys drawing, art, painting, pastels, etc. She's 12. For Christmas, I'd like to get her some legitimate art supplies and encourage her to further explore her talents. She really enjoys STEM subjects at school but loves to read and draw in her spare time. She's recently joined the UIL art team at school.

She is watching youtube videos that teach her how to draw. But, does anyone have any experience with better resources (videos, books, subscription services, etc.) out there to help promote her skills in drawing, painting, etc?

Someone has to know how to get Clucky's contact info.

https://texags.com/forums/5/topics/2400282/1#discussion

I know next to nothing about them, but I have seen the art Institutes around Texas cities. Seems like they're college level programs but maybe they have some co-op courses or know of other goings on in the area. https://www.artinstitutes.edu/

I also watched an old BBC documentary series called "The Impressionists" recently on Amazon Prime. Found this pastel store in Paris where Degas used to buy his pastels that is still open. Might be a good Christmas gift https://www.lamaisondupastel.com/home.php?lang=en

AGCP3 said:

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I know next to nothing about them, but I have seen the art Institutes around Texas cities. Seems like they're college level programs but maybe they have some co-op courses or know of other goings on in the area. https://www.artinstitutes.edu/

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Generally speaking I'd avoid them. They're for profit institutions that seem to abide by the "if you can't do, teach" axiom A local community college would probably be a better value.

There's tons of resources out there depending on her particular interests, it really all depends what she's wanting to do. Anatomy and figure drawing in general is a great first step for any artist.

Books:
How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way
https://smile.amazon.com/How-Draw-Comics-Marvel-Way/dp/0671530771/

Drawing the Head and Hands (he has other books as well but they might be a bit explicit for her age, you can also look at books by Mattesi and Bridgeman)
https://smile.amazon.com/Drawing-Head-Hands-Andrew-Loomis/dp/0857680978/

Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers
https://smile.amazon.com/Framed-Ink-Drawing-Composition-Storytellers/dp/1933492953/

For online courses Schoolism is a good place to start. Equipment-wise there's always good sketchbooks a set of Copic markers (or a similar cheaper brand), and the iPad Pro with a Pencil and Procreate is becoming an industry standard as well.

Hope that helps, I'd imagine others might know of some more kid-friendly/focused options.

My wife is a professional artist. For oil pastels,I can tell you that Sennelier and Holbein make the best pastels on the market. They are nice...and expensive.

As far as drawing goes, she took a class that taught from the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". She will tell everyone who listens that class changed her life. It not only improved her drawing skills, but it also gave her a ton of confidence.

I don't know where you live, but if there is a Dick Blick, or a Jerry's Art-o-rama nearby, go in and talk to them. They are typically great resources.