Current paper investigates the potential of «fat» (monthly) magazine «Russian school» as a source for revealing of interesting program of artistic education of children in the early 20th century when problems of art teaching, development of skills for «everyone» or for «elite» become relevant topics in pedagogical discourse. By analysis of publications aims and goals of artistic education, principles of program structuring were identified, approaches to content selection were revealed and methodical techniques were characterized. Paper illustrates the story of one experiment, conducted in «home» school arranged by V. A. Gardenina in Voronezh Province. The notion that every child can be trained to draw proposed by the pedagogues of early 20th century is proved in practice. Description of educational process, logic of program structuring and data of step-by-step mastering of various (acquaintance with geometrical figures, creation of ornamental compositions, drawing from imagination, drawing by concept, illustrated drawing, etc.) techniques by students are included. The conclusion is made that many techniques developed by the pedagogues of previous century have retained their relevance (importance) to present time.