Sketchbook Club: Media Exploration

Over the course of this class, students will experiment with a variety of media (charcoal, water colours, collage, etc.) as a way to encourage daily art practice in their sketchbooks but also as a way to enjoy exploration in the creation of art. Students will learn the basics of a variety of media and get the chance to practice the media in many ways over the course of the week through a series of challenges. Students will see practice as play and a way to free up their creativity. The young artists will also learn techniques, vocabulary, and some art history along the way. 

The classes begin with a 15-minute mini-lesson on the media of the day, including a glimpse of the media through the work of other artists. A demo will be offered and then students will be given a chance to explore the media together through a series of drawing games and exercises. Microphones are welcome to stay open as ongoing chatting, discussions, and questions are encouraged. The whole idea of a sketchbook club is to have fun being creative with fellow artists, to share ideas, struggles, and successes together. Students who wish to share their work with the others are invited and encouraged to do so. Friendly, constructive and positive feedback by their peers and teachers will be shared as well.

At the end of each class, students will be given a list of 6 detailed challenges to work on over the course of the week. They are invited to complete as many of the challenges as they have the time and the inclination for. This is a full and exciting course! Students who sign up should be willing to try new things, enjoy playing with art, be ready to create all kinds of work they may never have done before while meeting other artists and sharing the process.

Week 1: Introduction to Art Media and examination and exploration of our first art medium: the ubiquitous Pencil
                  
Week 2: Examination and exploration of our second art medium: the rich and smudgy duo Charcoal and Conte crayons

Week 3: Examination and exploration of our third art medium: gorgeous, flowing Watercolours

Week 4: Examination and exploration of our fourth art medium: technical and precise Sharpie pens

Week 5: Examination and exploration of our fifth art medium: messy and oh, so much fun Collage

Week 6: Examination and exploration of our sixth art medium: the classics Printmaking and Stamping

Week 7: Examination and exploration of Mixed Media: Putting them all together in a final project!

Week 8: Showcase and celebration of our work!