In this 4-lesson course, your artists will learn to draw realistic animals using charcoal or graphite pencils. This is a course for intermediate/advanced artists.  The course will be progressive in building on the previous lesson's technique.  Starting with a Dolphin to get the basic feel for charcoal or graphite, then progress to eagle eyes, an owl face, and finally a complete body of an Elf Owl.

ABOUT
This is a self-paced course, so there is no set class time for live instruction. The parent and student artist will determine the best time according to their schedule. This is great for busy or uncertain schedules and any time zone! This course allows time for the student to pause the program and really work on their technique, details, and confidence. There is no need to rush through the class. Take your time and enjoy drawing the things you love!

In each video lesson, I demonstrate new artistic techniques and show examples of finished artwork produced with those techniques.
~There are no live classes, however, there will be plenty of interactions between the students and myself.
~You choose the time and day you want to attend class.
~Each class activities will be sent out for the student to complete on their own time.
~These lessons have all been in many of my live classes and have proven to be fun, inspiring, and even a fun challenge!
~Art classes make the perfect SELF-PACE classes as students can pause or make changes to their piece as they see fit, the lessons can be done when it fits into the day without the worry of getting behind as it's a high-interest subject kid will want to work.

In this course, students will learn that growth in a subject matter such as art comes from repetition and breaking larger more complex drawings into simple shapes. My goal is always to make drawing less stressful and more fun, to increase students’ confidence levels, and help them see mistakes happen and can actually be good sometimes, and that art is a great relaxation activity. After the class, I notice so many of my students are eager to keep drawing and creating more!  It is amazing how inspired your artist becomes after they learn the proper techniques to draw. They have the tools they need to be creative and now the confidence to go and draw more!
This is not a course for written grades, but I do give feedback when asked by the students in class. I stay positive while also offering constructive advice on how they could take their project to the next level. In every lesson, I teach I encourage every artist to make the drawing their very own. So I encourage them to add some extras, draw in their own style, and let them know their art does not have to look exactly like mine! My feedback is only ever positive and encouraging! Students will leave my class feeling empowered and encouraged and I am sure they will be eager to draw more!

This SELF-PACED course is also a great option for:
~ Traveling / vacationing periods.
~ International students.
~ Students that prefer their own pacing.
~ Younger artists want to build their skills.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Each lesson consists of video instruction and learning drawing terms and techniques.

Learners will interact with the teacher through the classroom page via chat messaging and discussions about the lesson. We do not meet live. Instead, we will correspond through videos and messaging in the classroom.

Be sure to find the course elements to facilitate the students' artwork and improve their drawing skills.
~ Example drawing supplies (.pdf)
~ Picture of each artwork
~ Key question to reinforce video instruction drawing techniques they used (.pdf)

VIDEO LESSON  
After a short introduction, I will begin the step-by-step process of drawing out our character in easy-to-follow instructions. Each step will be broken down to the simplest form by using common shapes.  My favorite is comparing shapes to food!  Like a potato or a pizza. This frees the artist to allow for imperfections in their initial sketch. I encourage artists to draw with the proper techniques I am teaching, but to make the art their very own. Use their own style and come up with a story to go along with their art. Once we build our character out, we will add details, texture, shading, and form to our drawing. They are encouraged to pause the lesson so that when they are inspired to take their time to practice their technique.  They have the freedom to take their time.

Specifics we will learn:
Learn correct terms and techniques
Learn how to use Charcoal Pencils
Create realistic style art 
Contouring
Shading
Improve drawing skills
How to choose pencil types and hardness.
How to choose paper and art mediums.
Create character and form using texture and shading.
Learning perspective views.
I encourage artists to ask me any art questions!!!


Realistic Charcoal Drawing Class Supplies:
~ Smooth white paper 8 1/2 x 11 - see note*
~ Charcoal Pencils 2B, 4B, 6B
~ Graphite Pencil HB
~ Erasers - plastic (white), Kneaded, and Mono Zero
~ Paint Brush (small & flat) or Kleenex, or Q-tip, Paint Brush or makeup brush
~ Blending Stump** 
~ Scrap paper

*Note, you will produce better drawings with special paper labeled specifically "Smooth or Drawing Paper". 
 **Note to get the best results a blending stump is recommended