from: How to Self Assess Your Drawing Skills by Drawing Art Academy

russian children art schools:

• drawing. painting. composition. sculpture, decorative arts, and history of arts.

level 1

• how to sharpen a pencil the right way.
• how to hold a pencil with the candle grip.
• how to draw perfect lines both straight and curved
• how to hatch and cross hatch in layers
• how to measure relative proportions, alignments, and goals and cross points with a pencil
• how to draw simple flat geometric objects
• rules and principles of aerial and linear perspective
• one point and 2 point perspective
• principles of constructive drawing
• how to draw cubes
• how to draw ovals
• how to draw cylinders both standing and reclining
• how to draw simple geometrical objects in perspective
• how to draw cylindrical objects like vases, pots, and mugs
• how to draw manmade geometrical objects
• rules and 15 elements of composition
• golden proportions
• theory of contours
• proficient tonal rendering techniques

level 2/year 2

• classical orders (doric, ionic, corinthian)
• how to draw classical capitals
• how to draw simple still lifes with man made objects
• how to draw simple still lifes with simple organic objects
• how to draw animals
• how to draw draperies
• how to draw complex still lifes with draperies
• how to draw & render tonal values to reveal complex construction and aerial perspective

level 3

• how to draw interiors
• how to draw exteriors
• anatomy of a skull
• planes of a skull
• how to draw a skull
• how to draw an ecorche of a head
• muscular anatomy of a head
• proportions of a human head and face
• how to draw simple classical busts and head casts
• how to draw classical head casts with complex hair styles and facial hair
• how to draw full face and 3/4 view portraits

level 4

• how to draw a skeleton
• proportions of a human body
• how to draw an ecorche of an arm
• how to draw an ecorche of a hand
• how to draw an ecorche of a foot
• how to draw an ecorche of a leg
• how to draw an eorche of a torso

level 5

• how to draw classical canon figures
• both male and female ancient greek roman sculptures
• how to draw draped figures
• how to draw multi figure compositions
• how to draw portraits and figures of life models

during all 5 years of study, copying from photographs is strictly forbidden. this is because copying develops a different set of skills for those required for constructive drawing, and suppresses one's ability to learn good skills of drawing from life, memory, and imagination.

by the end of such a school, a studentess would have stronger art skills than the majority of graduates of contemporary art academies of europe and america. and be considered as a professional fine artist by western standards.

however, this level is not good enough to entre some of the best art academies in moscow and st petersburg, that is why such a graduate would take additional 2-3 year art courses to get prepared for entry exams. the description below is an approximation of an art academy's curriculums because every institution has its specifics and specialisations. it tells only about drawing, although art students have many other subjects.

level 6 (art academy year 1)

• how to draw complex still lifes
• how to draw interiors
• how to draw exteriors
• how to draw classical busts and full body sculptures with the full knowledge of human body anatomy, proportions, and constructions.

level 7 (year 2)

• deeper knowledge of skeletal and muscular anatomy of a human body, head, and face
• geometry, construction, and functionality of bones and joints.
• functionality and geometry of muscles, their origins and insertions
• life drawing. how to depict emotions in portraits.

level 8 (y3)

• how to tell a story about people by drawing the world around them.
• how to portray the inner world of a person and the artists personality
• how to draw double figure compositions to tell the story
• how to draw human figures in motion
• how to capture a moment
• drawing from memory and imagination.

level 9 (y4)

• how to draw multi figure compositions
• how to draw genre and historical artworks

level 10 (y5)

• how to express the artists inner world and point of view through realistic figurative art
• convey emotions
• tell a story
• deliver a philosophical message

how to self-assess your drawing skills if you have some gaps in topics at any level, your skills are at the previous step

for example if you have not fully covered the 15 elements of composition or principles of constructive drawing, you have the previous level. a complete beginner.

[elements of composition]

• unity
• focus
• balance
• symmetry
• proportions (including golden ratio)
• contrast
• statics
• dynamics
• movement
• rhythm
• pattern
• subordination
• influence
• links
• guidance

every next step requires proper knowledge and skills that must be gained at the previous levels. for example. to depict emotions in portrait, an artist has to have solid understanding of human head anatomy, its instruction and proportions, as well as the ability to draw lines as intended by the artists mind. not to mention the developed feeling of perspective both linear and aerial.

solving artistic tasks like telling the story, and expressing the artists POV requires a great set of skills, that have to be learned and practised for many years. this set of skills is what other people call "talent" but those who know how hard they had to work to get these skills fully comprehend that 98% of their success is due to good art education, hard work, and practice. not some "inborn talent" that makes their art wonderful.