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Drawing: Learn How to Draw an Animal (Natural History)

In this on-going lesson, students will make a sketch of an animal and transform the sketch into a realistic drawing with colored pencils.
Mr. Son (BFA) - Visual Art Instructor
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:
(3,932)
Class

What's included

1 live meeting
1 in-class hours per week

Class Experience

The world contains a diversity of species, by which the beauty of nature. This class is designed to help students differentiate among individuals which belong to a species. Student will not only learn how to sketch an animal with pencil, but also learn how to use shading and blending techniques to make their sketchy animal alive with colored pencils. The technique of shading, and blending will be covered and reviewed on each class so students can improve their artistic skills and understanding relationships of colors. 

The reference of each lesson will be from a book called “Natural History,” published by DK. Students may have a book in class for personal reference and learn more about the animal which they make a study of.

Students will be asked to share their works on the cameras to receive feedback from instructor and have a chance to see other works from their classmates. However, sharing works is optional not required.

Schedule for October
Week of Oct 3:	Torymus Sp. (298)
Week of Oct 10:	Japanese Newt (367)
Week of Oct 17:	Eastern Rosella (458)
Week of Oct 24:	Ruby Topaz (470)
Week of Oct 31:	Maned Wolf (565)

Schedule for November 
Week of Nov 7:	Hawthorn Shield Bug (281)
Week of Nov 14:	Green Sea Turtle (374)
Week of Nov 21:	Klaas’s Cuckoo (461)
Week of Nov 28:	Iberian Lynx (577)
	
Schedule for December
Week of Dec 5:	Coppery Dysphania (293)
Week of Dec 12:	Parson’s Chameleon (380)
Week of Dec 19:	Resplendent (472)
Week of Dec 26:	Pampas Deer (598)
	
Schedule for January
Week of Jan 2:	Platyura Marginata	P. 288
Week of Jan 9:	Burbot	P. 336
Week of Jan 16:	Eastern Casque-headed Iguana	P. 385
Week of Jan 23:	White-throated Bee-eater	P. 475
Week of Jan 30:	Gemsbok	P. 602

Schedule for February
Week of Feb 6:	Orange-barred Sulphur	P. 295
Week of Feb 13:	King Cobra	P. 397
Week of Feb 20:	Red-and-yellow Barbet	P. 479
Week of Feb 27:	Shepherd’s Beaked Whale	P. 615
		
Schedule for March
Week of Mar 6:	Mammoth Wasp	P. 298
Week of Mar 13:	Variable Harlequin Toad	P. 355
Week of Mar 20:	Yellow-fronted Woodpecker	P. 480
Week of Mar 27:	Sugar Glider	P. 507
		
Schedule for April
Week of Apr 3:	Cuban Land Snail	P. 308
Week of Apr 10:	Carolina Box Turtle	P. 375
Week of Apr 17:	Long-tailed Tit	P. 488
Week of Apr 24:	Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec	P. 514
		
Schedule for May
Week of Apr 1:	Aesop Shrimp	P. 270
Week of May 8:	Sailfin Molly	P. 338
Week of May 15:	Australian Water Dragon	P. 381
Week of May 22:	Eastern Paradise Whydah	P. 494
Week of May 29:	European Rabbit	P. 521

Schedule for June
Week of Jun 5:	Mayfly	P. 274
Week of Jun 12:	Five-lined Skink	P. 386
Week of Jun 19:	Fox Sparrow 	P. 499
Week of Jun 26:	Rhesus Macaque	P. 542

Other Details

Supply List
- Pencil (2B or lighter HB, H, 2H,...)
- Eraser (cut by half diagonally)
- Colored Pencils (Recommended: Prismacolor - Premier)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined May, 2020
4.8
3932reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from California State University, Fullerton
Drawing and painting portraits and human figures have been one of my passions which encourages me to go to school for art education. I am teaching a diversity of art classes with traditional media such as pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor. 

     I have graduated at California State University, Fullerton for my Bachelor of Fine Art degree with concentration on drawing and painting. I also study Vietnamese traditional music as a hobby for meditation.
 
     Teaching is interesting since it encourages me to continue studying art and improving my skills. The more I teach, the more I feel like I have learnt something new. To me, an art teacher who is considered competent is the one not only able to explain techniques which are used on each lesson but also able to understand how to utilize the medium he or she has picked for students. Therefore, it is important for me to keep learning and practicing making art to become a better teacher for my lovely students, especially those who are really dedicated to visual art.
 
     A fact about me (hope this will be surprising to you): My students would think I was a freshman at college even though I'd already been 28 years old. 

                                                        ***RECOMMENDATION***
If you wonder how I teach my classes, take some soft courses listed below, so you will not only be familiar with the pace but also be prepared for a journey of learning art with me.

1. Semi-Realistic Cute Animal
https://outschool.com/classes/sketching-learn-how-to-sketch-a-semi-realistic-and-cute-baby-animal-5vOQTMX2#ushyLG9cx3
2. Realistic Animal Sketching
https://outschool.com/classes/sketching-learn-how-to-sketch-and-shade-a-realistic-animal-wildlife-XLBnXcn8#ushyLG9cx3
or 
https://outschool.com/classes/sketching-learn-how-to-sketch-and-shade-an-animal-national-geographic-wiiJbDF1#ushyLG9cx3
3. Human Facial Feature Sketching
https://outschool.com/classes/sketching-learn-how-to-sketch-human-facial-features-1gMLveLy#ushyLG9cx3
CAUTION: Color lessons are not for beginners. I would recommend taking some sketching lessons with pencils before trying color lessons.

                                                                 ***POLICY*** 
- Please be in class on time to show respect to classmates as well as to me - your instructor. I may briefly go over instruction for late students who give proper apology and explanation. However, this is still not fair for those who have come to class promptly to be waiting for nothing. 

- Recordings will not be released under any circumstances. Therefore, I highly recommend coming to class on time so nothing will be missed. You may choose simple classes before taking complicated ones with complex texture, pattern, and perspective so no confusion or struggle will be faced.

- If you are going to be absent, notify your parents so they will responsibly send me a notification. However, to qualify for a transfer, the notification needs to be received EARLY, AT LEAST 24 HOURS OF WEEKDAYS before the class starts. No transfer will be made for late notification. For refund, please contact Outschool Assistant team.

- Your microphones are supposed to stay muted during the lesson so echo or distracting noise will not interrupt the class. This does not mean that you are not allowed to ask for clarification regarding lesson contents. In fact, all students are welcome to participate and question as long as the conversation is relevant to the lesson.

- If you are shy and refuse to show your face on the screen, you can have webcams capture the worktable so I can see their process instead. However, as Outschool requests that students turn on their videos for check-in, videos should be turned on for 5 SECONDS before students turn their off. 

- Music will be played to maintain the flow of the lesson. If you find it too distracting to concentrate, please kindly request to have music volume modified or even turned off.

- For any technical issues (such as link, password, or screen, etc.), please contact Outschool for assistance.

- Be prepared and stay focused during the class so that I can direct you to a broader content of the lesson. The faster you can complete a step, the more tips and techniques will be demonstrated on the lesson.

Looking forward to meeting you all who are devoted to learning visual art and improving artistic skills.

Reviews

Live Group Class
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$15

weekly
1x per week
60 min

Completed by 73 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-13
2-12 learners per class

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