Create Retro Style Game Characters & Scenes - Pixel Art & Animation for Teens

In this  course Learners will acquire skills to create dynamic pixel art characters for games and animations or just for fun! No previous experience is necessary. 

WHAT IS PIXEL ART?
Pixel Art is an art form that was made popular during the earliest days of making Video Games. Digital game artists and designers created characters and artifacts by coloring individual pixels. This gives the images a blocky 'look', much like the characters in classic video arcade games such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders or the Paper Mario series of games.

WHAT WILL WE LEARN?
(1) Participants will learn about the evolution of Pixel Art and how it is still a popular art form today. They will be encouraged to use their imagination to create their own unique characters, objects and scenes. 
(2) Participants will also receive instruction in basic drawing techniques such as shading and perspective.
(3) Finally, we will bring our characters and drawings to life with animation using frame-by-frame animation techniques!

Through the weeks we will cover:
Different drawing techniques like shading and outlining
Create character sheets: turn-around, walking cycles, facial expressions
Learn to draw stylistic pixel effects, such as bursts, sword flashes and more

Lesson One:
A brief historical overview of Pixel Art
Introduction to the drawing program we will be using for this course
The drawing tools and how to make the best of their use

Lesson Two:
Drawing Techniques
Using a limited Palette of 2, 4 or 8 colors
Outlining - light highlights or dark delineation

Lesson Three:
Begin Characters Sheets to include:
Facial Expressions
Shading techniques

Lesson Four:
Character movement: idle and walk, head turns
Frame-by-frame

Lesson Five:
Character movement: run and jump
Short scene development

Lesson Six:
Integrate into Game Demo

Lesson Seven:
Animation Special Effects

Lesson Eight:
Putting it all together

OUTCOMES AND GOALS
(1) Foster interest and abilities in Digital Art and Animation, 
(2) Inspire creativity
(3) Acquire new skills and technical proficiency with digital art & animation tools

ARTECH provides a creative, inclusive and socially stimulating learning environment that will boost your child's Self-Esteem, Independence and Creativity.