Art Smart: A Semester Guide to the Basics of Art and Creativity
In this semester-long course, learners will add fun and exciting drawing and watercolor painting techniques to their tool kit while boosting their creativity.
Emily Ingram-Patel (she/her)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(71)
Star Educator
What's included
13 live meetings
13 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Artists may need to spend some time outside of class finishing up their pieces to show (if they choose to) at the beginning of next class.Assessment
Grades can be provided upon request. If requested, they will be based upon participation and effort only.Grading
includedClass Experience
One of the coolest things about art supplies is that they usually have multiple uses. This 13-week semester course is all about learning those uses and special techniques, all while giving artists the creative freedom to make their own inspired pieces. We will be working with graphite pencil, colored pencil, charcoal (optional), ink (optional), and watercolor paints to boost our art knowledge and skills. Each day we will begin with a quick discussion on the medium we will be using and how we will be using it, and then we will jump into a workshop or project. There will be 10 projects total, each using a different technique and prompt, and artists will have the option of using the prompt to create something of their own imagining. Not feeling super creative? No problem! Follow along with the instructor's example. The curriculum includes 10 lessons spread across 13 days as follows: Lesson 1/Day 1: Sketching basics--Tips and tricks to help you draw almost anything accurately Lesson 2: Positive Shading ~~Day 2: Creating a picture with shaded forms ~~Day 3: Practice shading with a surreal, dreamlike scene Lesson 3/Day 4: Negative Shading--Create a dark, mysterious scene Lesson 4/Day 5: Color Science-- Create a fun color wheel Lesson 5: Value and Color ~~Days 6 & 7: Create a 3-5 value colored poster drawing Lesson 6: Cartooning and Comics--learn the basics of comic creation and create your own! ~~Day 8: Character design and storyboarding ~~Day 9: Final draft of comic Lesson 7/Day 10: Watercolor Technique Introduction--Create a fuzzy imaginary or real animal Lesson 8/Day 11: Watercolor Composition Introduction--Create an imaginary landscape Lesson 9/Day 12: Splatter Painting--Create a picture from paint splotches and splatters Lesson 10/Day 13: Abstract Portrait Challenge--Learn the basics of creating accurate faces while mastering the watercolor medium This is a beginner-intermediate class, ideal for students who want to learn more about the media we will be using. Discussion and questions are always welcome and encouraged! I like to keep a relaxed, fun environment in class if time allows it. Comments are allowed, but moderated. Please note this class is focused on boosting creativity and learning how to use the media rather than on drawing skill. I'm only able to help out and offer advice on drawing as much as time allows me to, so the lesson on day 1 is all about helping them gain new drawing skills to make the rest of the class easier for them. I find that a teacher is only as good as their flexibility. I use structure to guide students in achieving certain skills, but I leave the experimentation, creativity, and imagination up to them! I actively strive to learn from my students as much as they can learn from me.
Learning Goals
Artists will enhance their creative expression through a series of basic instructions to follow. Artists will learn proper technique to using art media as well as unconventional methods of using those media. Artists will improve their ability to represent almost anything accurately through various art media. Artists will expand their art vocabulary and comprehension to make visually striking art pieces.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Learners will probably need to look up reference photos on the internet to use while creating their compositions. Please be sure to install any parental controls on your search engines before class or help them search for their photos. As another option, the instructor can look up photos for artists, but they will be limited to whatever the instructor has time to find, which may inhibit the artist's creative freedom.
Supply List
Drawing: ~Sketchbook ~Pencils (2H, 2B, 4B, 6B, 8B recommended): $6+ ~Stumps and/or tortillons: $3 ~Eraser ~Kneadable Eraser ~Coloring medium: Colored pencils or crayons ***Optional: Tablet, stylus, and drawing program instead of paper and pencils ***Optional: Pens (Ballpoint, fine-tip Sharpies, gel pens, etc.) ***Optional: Charcoal (black vine, black and/or white compressed): $4+ Painting: ~Watercolor Paints ~Tubes & Paint Mixing Palette OR… ~Watercolor Paint palette ~Watercolor brushes in an assortment of sizes and shapes (you’ll want some fine-point and large brushes) ~Watercolor Paper ~Rags or paper towels ~2 cups water for cleaning brushes and painting
Language of Instruction
English
Joined December, 2020
4.9
71reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Associate's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Cuesta Community College
I received my AA in studio art in 2016, and I have been teaching art since 2020, when I led a paint tutorial for a sixth grade birthday party that was almost cancelled due to the pandemic. I really enjoyed the experience and became excited about the idea of sharing art and creativity with other artists. I love both the science and subjectiveness of art--I think there's a lot we can learn from it, and I can't wait to share it with your learners!Reviews
Live Group Class
$195
for 13 classes1x per week, 13 weeks
60 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-12
1-10 learners per class
