Art Is Fun - Drawing & Creativity Class -Semester 6-10
This isn't your average drawing or art class, it's a place of self-connection and self-expression. I teach and encourage creativity and imagination allowing students to embrace their inner artist, while removing the comparison.
Ms. Niki
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(170)
What's included
10 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
In my mind art is never work, but enjoyment, self-care and relaxation. That said, I do not assign homework in this class, though as all artists work at varying speeds, some students may need to finish up their project outside of class time.Assessment
I do not give written grades, but I do give feedback when asked by the students in class. I stay positive while also offering constructive advice on how they could take their project to the next level. I will never tell a student they must do something a certain way, if they want a purple giraffe drawing, that is their creative vision and what they will get. But they will get feedback on the construction of their drawing, their composition of the piece and overall elements of art. My feedback is never negative, I have worked with too many young students over the years who have felt torn down or rejected by previous art teachers to the point they did not want to take another art class. Students will leave my class feeling empowered.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 1 - 4
Courses are taught in English with a CEFR level of A2. ESL Friendly
Studio CIA (Niki McNeil) provides Creativity, Imagination and Art Classes for School Aged Kids. We have a passion for keeping kids creative, happy and healthy through the arts. You will not find any paint this color here or make your picture look like this in our classes. Instead, we encourage and empower kids to use their own unique style and imagination to create their masterpiece. Kids thrive in this type of environment as all other school subjects and much of life is about doing things in just such a way, leaving little opportunity for self-connection or self-expression. At Studio CIA Kids embrace their inner artist through imaginative exploration.
Please note: Because children develop at different rates and a one size fits all approach is not always ideal, I offer this class in a variety of age ranges with overlap (ex. ages 6-10 and 8-12) allowing you to choose the ideal classroom environment for your student.
Part social, part project based, and all fun! Drawing growth/ability comes from repetition. By breaking complex art into simple shapes any student can find joy in art. A safe space to make friends while exploring creativity. In my classes we create art, we do not recreate my art. Students are encouraged to take creative liberties, make each project their own and celebrated for their imagination!
This class is offered in multiple age ranges as well as ongoing or a 10 week session for students who have anxiety over meeting new classmates, please check out my class listings to find the age range most comfortable for your student.
This class is for students 6-10 years old. Each week we will gather for a fun drawing or art journaling project. We are our own worst critics. My goal is to help us take our own art less seriously while also taking art in general more seriously. Students will learn that growth in a subject matter such as art comes from repetition and breaking larger more complex drawings into simple shapes. My goal is always to increase student’s confidence levels, help them see mistakes happen and can actually be good sometimes, and that art is a great relaxation activity. After just a few short weeks parents often notice a surprising increase in their student’s art confidence level.
I recently had a 9 year old student say, "That is cool but looks hard! I wouldn't be surprised to find it easy though! All the art we have made so far has looked hard, but it was actually not hard and fun!" This is 100% my goal. I want to teach my students techniques and drawings that appear hard but are easy enough for them to find success.
My passion and excitement about art comes out in my teaching. And I love seeing and hearing the kids get excited about their art. My classes are set up in a way that there are natural social interactions as we trace over our finished piece in black marker or as we work on coloring our masterpiece. I have found even shy or quiet students share in this no pressure environment.
It is my hope that students will relate to each other through their art and realize that even though we are each unique, being different is ok, in fact being different is awesome! Students will learn to encourage each other through the struggles of the daily life while growing as individuals. They will learn to express their feelings through line and color as well as other art techniques depending on the week attended.
For examples of the types of drawings we will be doing in this class please see the teacher profile where a link to my student’s art portfolio is provided. If you have a student who typically feels they “can’t draw” this is the perfect class for them. I have been working with students who do not see themselves as artists for the last 7 years and have had these same students who were forced to attend the class the first session, beg to continue on, many I’ve had in class for 4+ years. This is not a draw this in this exact way, which is what helps these students be successful. The goal for me is to have no students works of art be identical, I encourage them to change things up and follow their gut.
Please Note:
I recommend using the biggest screen you have possible as I teach using a combination of slides and live directed drawing so kids can see both the end goal and the process of getting there.
To get an idea of the types of projects we'll be doing in this and my other classes check out my student portfolio: https://www.eclecticallymeniki.com/student-art-journaling-examplesLearning Goals
My goal is to help us take our own art less seriously while also taking art in general more seriously. Students will learn that growth in a subject matter such as art comes from repetition and breaking larger more complex drawings into simple shapes. My goal is always to increase student’s confidence levels, help them see mistakes happen and can actually be good sometimes, and that art is a great relaxation activity. Students will walk away from this class with a variety of new creative skills, from drawing techniques, to knowledge of famous artists and art styles, to the basic elements of art.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Please Note:
I recommend using the biggest screen you have possible as I teach using a combination of slides and live directed drawing so kids can see both the end goal and the process of getting there.
Supply List
Supplies: - Any type of quality art paper or sketchbook, cardstock in a 3 ring binder/sheet protectors - Pencil and Eraser - Ruler - Markers, Gel Pens, and or colored pencils (I will be using all 3 depending on the project) - Black Fine Point Pen (.3-.8 nib size) or Extra Fine/Fine Tipped Sharpie - Some weeks may require printing out a template so access to a printer is helpful
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Art is an important part of the educational process. It allows students to explore their creativity, take risks, and express themselves without fear of judgment. It is a safe place to fail and try again. Art is a vital tool for helping students find their own voices and develop as individuals.
Studio CIA (Niki McNeil) provides Creativity, Imagination and Art Classes for School Aged Kids. We have a passion for keeping kids creative, happy and healthy through the arts. In my drawing, painting, and art classes you we focus on creating art, not recreating my art. Kids thrive in this type of environment as all other school subjects and much of life is about doing things in just such a way, leaving little opportunity for self-connection or self-expression. At Studio CIA Kids embrace their inner artist through imaginative exploration.
As an artist and teacher to kids I practice something called “non-violent communication” NVC is a style of communication that inspires compassion for oneself and other people. As artists, we are often our own worst critics, judging ourselves harshly and feeling like our art isn’t good enough to share. NVC helps us to remember that everyone has value and worth, including ourselves!
This style of communication helps silence our inner critic as well as giving us a better ability to be empathetic and encouraging to others. I strive to use NVC when giving students feedback as it helps students gain confidence while also hitting home that art is about the process just as much as it is about the product. This means I avoid feedback such as right or wrong, good or bad and focus more on how the student feels about their art, and then offering suggestions to see what resonates with them. This gives students a sense of pride and confidence in following their gut to create a piece they are proud of.
My classroom is a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for ALL students. I want students to feel safe opening up through their art and never fear judgment or criticism. Students are encouraged but never forced, no mater if it’s sharing their work, introducing themselves, or keeping their screens on. I believe each student will blossom in their own time and my classroom gives them space and time to do so at their own rate. I strive to cultivate a community of kindness for ALL my students!
Art brings together generations. It connects me to my students and to nameless others with whom I share a same life experience. It connects my students with their schoolmates, teachers and developing selves. Art makes us all younger and inclusive. It helps us to honor our differences and find our common humanity.
Hope to create with your student soon!Reviews
Live Group Class
$13
weekly or $130 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
45 min
Completed by 19 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 6-10
3-7 learners per class
