Van Gogh vs. Da Vinci for Kids – Free Homeschool Art Study
In this week’s exciting homeschool art study for kids, you’ll travel in time to two different amazing artists. This Free Homeschool Unit Study has a little bit of everything. It’s a fun homeschool art lesson (this week we look at portraits); it’s a great homeschool history study as we explore these famous artists; it has art history suitable for elementary students; and a great book list to deepen your study.
Don’t forget to send in your child’s artwork for our Show and Tell Wall!
Homeschool Art studies are a great way to explore so many topics all in one. That’s the beauty of homeschooling. This study alone explores history, culture, and art. Much like our other homeschool unit studies, I encourage you to follow any rabbit trail it may bring up.
For example, while we were going through this homeschool art study about these great artists, I pulled out our globe and talked about their geographical locations. We were able to tie it in with the work we’ve been doing on studying continents. We also talked about history in comparison to where we are now, and how many generations had passed since they lived.
The rabbit trails of learning are what create a rich pool of knowledge for your homeschool kids.
We love to explore different books for our homeschooling adventure.
If you have children who are a bit too young to sit through a longer homeschool art history lesson like this, I encourage you to set them up with something busy with their hands – like our Play-Doh printable mats. This is a great activity for younger kids to keep their hands busy, and they may still be able to listen as you read through this art unit study.
What’s Inside Our Van Gogh vs. Da Vinci Art Lesson for Kids?
This is the perfect homeschool art study for elementary kids. While we do dive deep into plenty of great art history topics and art topics, it’s very high-level and consumable art lesson for young kids. As you all know, I love a good homeschool book list – inside this homeschool art study, I include a great book list, filled with engaging books for young kids (no boring textbooks!). The books will help you expand this study beyond the printables, making it a perfect homeschool unit study that could last a couple of weeks.
Inside this homeschool art study, you’ll find:
- A Book List
- Art Words to Know – a list of vocabulary to learn that relates to the art we study
- A one-page history synopsis on the two artists
- A page displaying “The Mona Lisa” by Da Vinci, with a brief history and some discussion questions.
- A page displaying “Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat” by Van Gogh, with a brief history and some discussion questions.
- A Venn Diagram to compare the two artists
- A blank page for your child to create their own art!
A Kid-Friendly Study of Portraits Suitable for Elementary Students
Inside this homeschool art study, perfect for elementary students, you’ll receive a high-level study of portraits.
We’ll discuss common terms used when discussing portraits. We’ll also look at the unique styles of Leonardo da Vinci and Van Gogh. After we discuss the differing techniques, styles, terms, and history, your child will then have a chance to practice what they’ve learned.
The beauty of a homeschool art study like this, where we compare two artists, is that your child will begin to see that art doesn’t come with strict rules. Even amongst these two incredible artists, their works varied greatly.
So I encourage you to let your child create a masterpiece of their own at the end of this study. Allow them to take bits and pieces of what they’ve learned, but if they go rogue, more power to them.
Meet The Artists
Leonardo Da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) lived during the Italian Renaissance. This was a period of scientific discovery and revival in art. As science and the study of human potential and anatomy were prevalent, the art took a push towards realistic portraits. Popular art pushed towards realism, soft, realistic lines, and natural shading.
Van Gogh
Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890) lived during the late 19th-century Post-Impressionist era, a pivotal time that shaped his evolution from painting dark, somber peasant scenes to creating vibrant, emotional, and heavily textured masterpieces. While still considered realism, the artists at this time played with color and shape to portray emotion rather than trying to create perfectly realistic portraits.
Compare Their Styles
Inside our Free Printable Homeschool Art Lesson, your kids will get a chance to compare and contrast these two great artists. Especially with young kids, helping them see that even great artists have different techniques is a great thing. Art isn’t about fitting in a box; it’s about finding your own shape.
| Feature | Da Vinci | Van Gogh |
| Style | Realistic | Expressive |
| Brushwork | Smooth | Thick & visible |
| Mood | Calm | Emotional |
| Time Period | Italian Renaissance | 19th-century Post-Impressionist era |
Get Your FREE Printable Art Unit Study
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Find out How to Share Your Child’s Artwork!
As I create more art studies for kids, I want to give your homeschooled child a chance to show off their masterpiece!
Find out how to join our Homeschool Show and Tell Wall Here!
It’s a way to connect with a virtual Homeschool Community, learn from peers, and grow your child’s confidence in their art.
Enjoy the gallery with your child and follow the steps to submit their work!
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