Drawing Realistic Animals and Learning Drawing Techniques for Teens

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
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 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):
Learners choose animals and choices may change a week before each class.

-Week of Jan 12, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Fantasy Animal *Learner's Choice | FRI 7:40pm - Shark

-Week of Jan 19, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Basilisk Mythical Animal *Learner's Choice | FRI 7:40pm - Raven
-Week of Jan 26, 2025

TUES 7:30pm - Peregrine falcon *Learner's Choice - | FRI 7:40pm - Stingray

-Week of Feb 2, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Phoenix (Learner’s Choice) | FRI 7:40pm - Panda

-Week of Feb 9, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Dragon | FRI 7:40pm - Dragon

-Week of Feb 16, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Rabbit | FRI 7:40pm - Rabbit

-Week of Feb 23, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Porcupine | FRI 7:40pm - Porcupine

-Week of Mar 2, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Clownfish | FRI 7:40pm - Clownfish

-Week of Mar 9, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Snake | FRI 7:40pm - Snake

-Week of Mar 16, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Horse | FRI 7:40pm - Horse

-Week of Mar 23, 2025
TUES 7:30pm - Stingray | FRI 7:40pm - Butterfly


Art is FUN! Let's draw animals, gain confidence, overcome art challenges, and create masterpieces!