Fantasy Sketch Club Ages 11-14

Sketch Club is a place to explore concepting and sharpen drawing skills. Topics we discuss include sources of inspiration, media formats, drawing tips, resources and managing our habits such as self-critique and goal setting.

The objective of this club is to blend peer-to-peer inspiration with instructor's tips, guidance and resources to create an encouraging and enjoyable club. Practice leads to mastery!

In my classes and clubs, Character Design tends to be a very popular theme. Fantasy characters often have swords, lasers, light sabers, clubs, other weapons, magic amulets, potions, or they may have strange bodily features like fangs or claws or robotic parts. 

I am not opposed to allowing students to share illustrations of this nature. 
It is ok for a drawn or animated character to be holding a weapon IN A NON-THREATENING POSE. Context is key.

HOWEVER.... it is NOT allowed or acceptable to present works showing ACTS of lethal violence or excessive gore. For example: a character can be in a dynamic action pose, throwing a punch or using a shield, but it is NOT okay for a student to present a work that shows a particularly violent attack by one character on another. This can sometimes be a bit of a "gray" area but I want to recognize, here, that DRAWING SKILLS should always be the focus of what we create and share, rather than expressions of violence or excessive gore.

It is VERY important that my class members exhibit respect and sensitivity to one another. What might be "cool" to one could potentially be an upsetting emotional trigger to another person. We do not want to create an upsetting environment. 
We're here to have fun, be creative, be social, and get better and better at drawing.
If ever a learner is upset by any presentations, I beg that they reach out to  me privately so that I know as soon as possible.

Homework is optional. I may suggest a challenge for them to try for the next meeting but that would be a suggestion and not a requirement. Hopefully learners will be motivated to draw their fantasy creatures as a way to combat stress. There are no deadlines to fulfill with this. Typically, peer camaraderie is likely to incentivize learners to make progress on their creative endeavors, too. Learners will be in an environment with other fans of fantasy art and often feed off of the excitement and creative inspiration  of one another.

Over time, students will gain critiquing skills and learn the very important difference being "critquing" and being overly "critical." 
My goal is for my learners to develop tools to combat impatience and frustration; to push for improvement yet respect the whole process along the way. Ultimately, "progress" is understood as recognizing what is "good" work and what might make it "better" and being able to apply that mental approach in a productive way.

45 minutes per week in class, and an estimated 0 - 1 hours per week outside of class.