Drawing Realistic Animals and Learning Drawing Techniques Ages 9-12

Horses - Dragons - Butterflies! Join the FUN and LEARN how to draw Earth's incredible ANIMALS!

This is a laidback drawing class for animal lovers who want to improve their art skills. As a professional artist who specializes in old master drawing and painting methods, my goal is to teach learners essential art tools to create confidently and independently. 

In each class, we will learn and practice foundational drawing techniques that can be applied to any style - from cartoon to realistic. 

Each week, we will focus on drawing animals in a realistic style -- and the best part? Learners help choose which one! From fluffy bunnies to fierce tigers, mystical dragons to long-lost dinosaurs, every class is an adventure in drawing incredible animals while sharpening essential art skills. 

WHAT WE WILL LEARN:

- Shapes
Learners strengthen their observational skills by identifying the big overall shapes first before observing smaller shapes. 
- Anatomy/Proportions
Learners will observe light anatomy to give their drawings more structure and believability.
- Light and Shadow
Learners will pinpoint the light and shadow to create depth. 
- Shading/Texture (time dependent on the difficulty of the animal)
Learners will shade their drawings and give them texture. 

CLASS MANAGEMENT:

- We work together to identify shapes before working on our drawings. 
- I create alongside artists to model what is being taught and to demonstrate that mistakes are a natural part of the process, helping ease learners' drawing anxiety.
- Class is social to help create a friendly, laidback space.
- I check on artists throughout the class and give constructive feedback. Shy artists are welcome to skip or send their drawings to me afterward until they gain more confidence. 

SUPPLIES: 
Only paper, pencils and erasers! Learners are welcome to use colored pencils, but I will always use pencils. 

SCHEDULE (Eastern Time):
*Animals may change a week before each class as learners take turns choosing and may change their minds.*

Week of Feb 16, 2025
MON 5pm - Seal | MON 7pm - Cat
TUES 4:30pm - Sea Bunny | TUES 5:30pm - Scorpion | TUES 6:30pm - Snake
THURS 4:15pm - Surprise | THURS 5:15pm - Raven 
FRI 5:40pm - OFF 
SAT 12pm - OFF

Week of Feb 23, 2025
MON 5pm - Crocodile | MON 7pm - Dragon 
TUES 4:30pm - TBA | TUES 5:30pm - Dragon | TUES 6:30pm - Parrot
THURS 4:15pm - TBA | THURS 5:15pm - Godzilla
FRI 5:40pm - Hippo Portrait
SAT 12pm - Nine Tailed Fox

Week of Mar 2, 2025
MON 5pm - Llama | MON 7pm - TBA 
TUES 4:30pm - TBA | TUES 5:30pm - Cat (Pet) | TUES 6:30pm - Baby Hedgehog
THURS 4:15pm - Toy Poodle | THURS 5:15pm - Gray Squirrel 
FRI 5:40pm - Cow
SAT 12pm - Pana

Week of Mar 9, 2025
MON 5pm - Pegasus | MON 7pm - Armadillo 
TUES 4:30pm - TBA | TUES 5:30pm - TBA | TUES 6:30pm - Male Lion
THURS 4:15pm - Dragon | THURS 5:15pm - Dinosaur
FRI 5:40pm - Phoenix
SAT 12pm - Dog (Pet)


Art is FUN. Join us as we draw animals, gain skills and confidence, and create masterpieces!