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Beginner Drawing & Sketching 101: Full Semester Curriculum (Ages 8-12)

Ignite your learner’s creativity and imagination in our weekly semester-long class! I will guide them step-by-step in learning complex art fundamentals broken down into fun, repeatable steps while learning new pencil techniques each week!
Young Illustrators Studio with Bear Howe
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(145)
Popular
Rising Star
Class
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What's included

15 live meetings
11 hrs 15 mins in-class hours
Mastery Evaluation
1 hour per week. Each week, students are invited to add more or finish their painting from class, and bring it back to share the next week! Finishing each project will not be required, but encouraged. Individual feedback is offered and available to each student during class.
Grading
Our classes focus on progress, as each student starts where they are and progresses through each skill and principle at their own pace. No formal grading is required for this class, but parents are welcome to request an assessment.

Class Experience

US Grade 2 - 3
Beginner Level
In this class young artists will become expert at drawing by making a new guided work of art each week, exploring perspective, foreshortening, proportions, value and composition. They will learn to experiment with pencil techniques like shading, hash marks, smudging and mark-making while discovering what they love and developing their artistic voice! Weekly themes focus on a different technique, giving learners the chance to experiment, find what they love, problem-solve, & develop their intuition in a real artist’s studio setting, working at their own pace.

You can join this class late, no experience necessary!

Learner requests are incorporated into class from semester to semester, and cover subjects like animals, figure drawing, landscape, faces, buildings, botanical drawing and more! 

PAINTING
Each week your learner can paint the drawing they make in this class!  You can take the sister class to this one to learn how to paint, step-by-step! Here is the link:

https://outschool.com/classes/beginner-painting-101-full-curriculum-ongoing-club-gouacheacrylic-ages-8-12-utFinCw2

MATERIALS (see recommendations in the materials section)
• A number 2 pencil or pencil set
• White eraser and optional kneaded eraser
• Printer paper or sketchbook of any kind

CLASS SNAPSHOT
•. Hello, and share art you’ve been making this week!
•. Step-by-step instruction: learners encouraged to ask questions and get feedback
•. Share: No one will ever be pressured to share, no big deal to pass
•. Requests and Goodbyes


✨  GROWTH MINDSET ✨
In our classes, we are building a multi-layered scaffolding of the love of learning that is rooted in the idea that we can find inspiration every day to start again right where we are, finding satisfaction and pride in seeing our progress! Learners who stick with our classes over time come to believe that experimenting, problem solving, setbacks, re-trying and breakthroughs among the support, kindness and inspiration of peers and qualified mentors leads to more flexibility, innovation, courage and self-confidence in not only their art skills, but in all other areas of life! And we have a lot of fun doing it!

We use conversation prompts to create an inspiring atmosphere where artists learn to trust their intuition. We use targeted practice to break down the mechanics of a complex and difficult skill like art into easy, achievable steps, while having fun and building connections and friendships over what we love and struggle with in the art process!

✨  CULTURE ✨ 
Our classes are anchored in kindness, affirmations and fun! We do not use competitions or comparing. Constructive, hamburger-style critiques are offered by the teacher. There is a variety of skill level in each group, and we validate and help kids feel good about wherever their skill is. Kids love to share their art and bond over what they love and struggle with. We teach learners how to find joy and delight in their practice, which motivates them to do it more.

Learning Goals

Learn how to observe, really see and then create the basic shapes of any subject, no matter how complicated, then build layer after layer of detail as learners progress. Learn foreshortening, perspective, proportions and stylizing.
Learn to draw loose, light and from the shoulder and elbow. Learn the art of self-editing, getting confident experimenting and evaluating, then following their intuition through problem-solving.
learning goal

Syllabus

15 Lessons
over 15 Weeks
Lesson 1:
Flowers
 Begin to observe shape, line and form to create basic shapes then detail. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Clouds
 Begin to observe shape, line and form to create basic shapes then detail. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Chibi Dragon
 Begin to observe shape, line and form to create basic shapes then detail. 
45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Mountain Landscape
 Continue to observe shape, line and form to create basic shapes then detail. Shading and new pencil techniques are introduced. 
45 mins online live lesson

Other Details

Learning Needs
This class uses step-by-step instruction and regular interval check-ins, so that learners have natural breaks and choices built into their learning experience. All classes are recorded, so learners can review the lesson at their own pace.
Pre-Requisites
No experience is necessary to take this class. Learners can take this semester course again and again.
Supply List
• A standard number 2 pencil is great, or if you want to explore a pencil set. Suggested (includes kneaded eraser):

https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-studio-drawing-pencils-set-of-6/

• White eraser and optional kneaded eraser. Suggested:

https://www.dickblick.com/items/pentel-hi-polymer-erasers-assorted-pkg-of-6/

https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-kneaded-eraser-medium/

• Printer paper or sketchbook of any kind. Suggested:

https://www.dickblick.com/items/blick-wirebound-sketchbook-12-x-9-wire-bound-80-sheets/

NOTE: If you are taking the sister class to this one in painting, you can use the paper suggested there for your sketching!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined February, 2021
5.0
145reviews
Popular
Rising Star
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Art and Design from Temple University
Bear Howe
Hello I’m so glad you’re here! I am a self-taught award-winning, exhibiting, working artist. My work includes digital and traditional illustration, mixed-media and experimental painting, childrens books, mural art and more!

I LOVE hanging out with other artists, and that’s who your kids are! I am known to be an encouraging, enthusiastic, kind and knowledgable teacher. I love teaching kids and teens of all abilities and backgrounds and facilitating connection, collaboration and helping students find their voice and trust their intuition! 

I have taught elementary, middle and high school aged students in art, creative writing, drawing, painting, comics, stop motion animation, digital animation, character design, and fundamental art principles like shape, line, perspective, color, composition, texture, mark-making and more! I am a member of the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators and the Art Brand Alliance. I am represented by Adria Goetz at KT Literary Agency.

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Live Group Course
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$18

weekly or $270 for 15 classes
1x per week, 15 weeks
45 min

Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
6-10 learners per class

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