One of the coolest things about art supplies is that they usually have multiple uses. This 13-week semester course is all about learning those uses and special techniques, all while giving artists the creative freedom to make their own inspired pieces. 

We will be working with graphite pencil, colored pencil, charcoal (optional), ink (optional), and watercolor paints to boost our art knowledge and skills. Each day we will begin with a quick discussion on the medium we will be using and how we will be using it, and then we will jump into a workshop or project. There will be 10 projects total, each using a different technique and prompt, and artists will have the option of using the prompt to create something of their own imagining. Not feeling super creative? No problem! Follow along with the instructor's example. The curriculum includes 10 lessons spread across 13 days as follows:

Lesson 1/Day 1: Sketching basics--Tips and tricks to help you draw almost anything accurately
Lesson 2: Positive Shading
~~Day 2: Creating a picture with shaded forms
~~Day 3: Practice shading with a surreal, dreamlike scene
Lesson 3/Day 4: Negative Shading--Create a dark, mysterious scene
Lesson 4/Day 5: Color Science-- Create a fun color wheel
Lesson 5: Value and Color
~~Days 6 & 7: Create a 3-5 value colored poster drawing
Lesson 6: Cartooning and Comics--learn the basics of comic creation and create your own!
~~Day 8: Character design and storyboarding
~~Day 9: Final draft of comic
Lesson 7/Day 10: Watercolor Technique Introduction--Create a fuzzy imaginary or real animal
Lesson 8/Day 11: Watercolor Composition Introduction--Create an imaginary landscape
Lesson 9/Day 12: Splatter Painting--Create a picture from paint splotches and splatters
Lesson 10/Day 13: Abstract Portrait Challenge--Learn the basics of creating accurate faces while mastering the watercolor medium

This is a beginner-intermediate class, ideal for students who want to learn more about the media we will be using. Discussion and questions are always welcome and encouraged! I like to keep a relaxed, fun environment in class if time allows it. Comments are allowed, but moderated. Please note this class is focused on boosting creativity and learning how to use the media rather than on drawing skill. I'm only able to help out and offer advice on drawing as much as time allows me to, so the lesson on day 1 is all about helping them gain new drawing skills to make the rest of the class easier for them.

I find that a teacher is only as good as their flexibility. I use structure to guide students in achieving certain skills, but I leave the experimentation, creativity, and imagination up to them! I actively strive to learn from my students as much as they can learn from me.