Pets always bring so much joy to everyone that I teach, young and old, that it's time to make it a point to show them off!  This FLEX course is for those who love art and wish to advance their sketching and drawing skills while sharing their love of animals.  We will create a new work of art focusing on a different pet each week. 

❗Please note that since this is a FLEX course we will not have scheduled live meetings, instead, each learner will be able to work on their art at their convenience.

🎨 Hone your skills by creating art consistently with repeated practice.  I will guide you through techniques that will enhance the details of each week's animal drawing.

I will start off the weekly introduction video with a quick chat about the animal of the week with some fun facts and suggestions for details that can be added into the background.  I'll follow that with step-by-step video instructions along with a PDF guide.  Creativity is encouraged as I demonstrate the steps to sketch, draw, shade, and add color throughout the lesson.  Although there will be a video to follow along with and a printable drawing guide I also want to see what you can do to add your own personal touch.  Give it character and begin developing your own artistic style!

The six animals that will be created are:
1. 🐶Dog    2. 😺Cat    3. 🐹Hamster   4.🦔 Hedgehog   5. 🐠Fish   6. 🦎Chameleon

✏️ We will focus on the difference between sketching and drawing, color schemes, texture, and adding details. 
 We'll start with outlines and main shapes and then add smaller details to push each drawing from basic to amazing results with finishing touches being added to the background of each work of art.  Instructional videos and printable resources will be dropped each Monday.  

Week One 🐶 Dogs
Objective: 
Develop an understanding of how to draw using basic shapes and then changing small lines and details to make it look like the type of dog you want.  Think about how a dog's ears might sit upright, fold over, or flop.  Sometimes they are triangular or shaped more like an oval.  Their snout might be long or short.  I'll show you how to alter your lines to create the breed of dog you love.

Week Two 😺 Cats
Objective: 
Meet Karen, Melissa, and Thor, my three cats!  All three of them look very different and have their own quirks and personalities.  Work to create a very personalized drawing based on the type of cat(s) you want to draw and what kind of activities they are participating in. 

Week Three 🐹 Hamster
Objective: 
Not only will we draw a hamster this week but we'll also envision their ideal habitat.  One of my good friends has a class hamster that digs and burrows and snuggles up under his bedding.  His little nose twitches and his big beady eyes look at you with so much love!

Week Four 🦔 Hedgehog
Objective: 
This unique pet is nocturnal and needs special care.  They have a lot of texture on their body so we'll concentrate on how to create a very 3-Dimensional effect within your drawing.

Week Five 🐠 Fish
Objective:
We'll design the ultimate aquarium experience for your fish, whether it is a single beta fish or a school of tropical fish.  Different shapes for the bodies, types of fins, and markings for various breeds of fish will be explored.  Then let's encase the fish in the most unique aquarium that matches their needs.

Week Six 🦎 Chameleon
Objective: 
If I were to own a lizard, a chameleon would be my first choice.  I am fascinated with the science behind their ability to camouflage themselves.  We'll explore the textures and unique patterns on their skin, what kind of background they can blend into.  This will be an amazing one to make your own color choices!

✔️ I will provide individual feedback and guide each learner through the questions that are asked and photos that are shared.  Since so many other physical supplies are required, we will keep communication as simple as possible.  Communication will be made entirely through the Outschool classroom, no need to log in to anything else during this course.  Feedback will be provided within 24-48 hours Monday-Friday.

The students and I will interact in the Outschool classroom if they wish.  Please share what you know and love about each of the animals!  Do you have that kind of pet?  Share a picture or a video of it.  Don't have a pet but love animals?  Share your favorite stuffed animal or pictures that you may have and tell us all about why you love it so much. Students will submit photographs or videos of their work and submit questions, concerns, successes, or comments to be made about your artwork for peer review in addition to my guidance.  A mid-week check-in will ask for participation in not only prompts for discussion about the pets and artwork created but will vary between games, polls, and challenges based on that week's theme.  Sharing your work will help you gain confidence in your artistic abilities and give me a chance to provide feedback.  

🎨 Creativity is encouraged!  As I provide demonstrations and resources each week to draw I hope you take what you learn and use your own color combinations and spin the suggested subject matter into something unique to your own interests.  I can't wait to see how you give your work character and begin developing your own artistic style!