Drawing Realistic Animals and Learning Drawing Techniques Ages 9-12

Horses! Dragons! Butterflies! Let's learn how to draw Earth's incredible animals!

This is a fun, laidback drawing class for animal lovers who struggle to draw realistically. As a professional artist who specialized in old master drawing and painting methods, my goal here on Outschool is to teach young artists the tools to create confidently and independently. 

To help young artists create with more confidence, we will learn and practice foundational drawing techniques that can be applied to any drawing - from cartoon to realistic. 

In this class, we will focus on drawing animals. To make this class more fun, learners take turns choosing the animal for the week! Most animals chosen are real/modern, but some chosen may be fantasy (dragons, phoenix, etc) or extinct! 

WHAT WE WILL LEARN:

- Shapes
Learners strengthen their observational skills by identifying the big overall shapes first before observing and working smaller shapes. We will also learn how to place those shapes proportionally and structurally.
- Anatomy
Learners will observe light anatomy to give their drawing 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 use what they learned about light and shadow to shade their animal and give texture. 

CLASS MANAGEMENT:

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

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

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

Week of Nov 10, 2024 
MON 7pm - Pet Dog | TUES 5:30pm - Pet Rabbit | TUES 6:30pm - Bee | THURS 4:15pm - Fox | THURS 5:15pm - Capybara | FRI 5:40pm - Frog | SAT 12pm - Ladybug

Week of Nov 17, 2024
MON 7pm - Opossum | TUES 5:30pm - Mimic Crocodile | TUES 6:30pm - Suprise | THURS 4:15pm - Cat | THURS 5:15pm - Velociraptor | FRI 5:40pm - Parrot | SAT 12pm - Ladybug

Week of Nov 24, 2024 - Holiday Week
MON 7pm - Mosquito | TUES 5:30pm - Wildebeast | TUES 6:30pm - TBA | THURS 4:15pm - OFF | THURS 5:15pm - OFF | FRI 5:40pm - OFF  | SAT 12pm - OFF

Week of Dec 1, 2024
MON 7pm - TBA | TUES 5:30pm - Panda | TUES 6:30pm - TBA | THURS 4:15pm - Giraffe | THURS 5:15pm - Indominus Rex Portrait | FRI 5:40pm - Fennec Fox | SAT 12pm - Pygmy Hippo


Art is FUN! Join us as we draw animals, gain confidence, overcome art challenges, and create masterpieces!