一起來畫彩虹龍吧！

In this fun, one-time drawing class, learners will be able to interact with one another in brainstorming the characteristics, abilities, special powers, and habitat/environment of their Rainbow Dragon character. This class is designed to be fun and low-pressure; there is no wrong way to draw a dragon! This class is designed so that learners can draw any kind of dragon that they like -- one from Wings of Fire, or How To Train Your Dragon, a mash-up of styles, or one that they've designed themselves -- but with a little extra bit of rainbow flair! Learners will decide how to incorporate a rainbow into their dragon drawing, be that as part of the dragon's horns or wings, or as a detail in the background of the picture.

We'll start with a general conversation about different kinds of dragons, using specific examples that learners already know and like (Wings of Fire, How To Train Your Dragon, and others). What makes these dragons unique, for example?  Students will be encouraged to brainstorm ideas for their Rainbow Dragons as we talk -- what are the parts of a dragon that make a dragon a DRAGON? Horns, claws, wings, tails, and scales could be among those things, depending on where that dragon lives and what it does, but maybe that dragon also breathes glitter, or confetti, or cupcakes, ... or even pizza? A dragon that lives in outer space will probably have wings that are really different from a dragon that lives in the woods! We know that not all dragons breathe fire -- what will your dragon breathe?  

Once learners have made a plan for their Rainbow Dragon, including the Rainbow Dragon's habitat, we'll start drawing! As we talk and draw, I will show examples of various dragon-specific drawing techniques that learners can try if they would like (different dragon body types, wings and claws, nostrils and jaws, eyes, horns, eyes and scales, etc.). as they create their own Rainbow Dragon drawings.  Students will be encouraged to use their imaginations for their drawing; some students like to draw the life cycle of a dragon (adult, juvenile, and egg form), some students like to name their dragon or create a family of dragons, or draw other characters in the scene with their Rainbow Dragon -- all of this is welcome and encouraged. 

As this class is not a step-by-step dragon drawing tutorial, each learner is welcome to draw and create at their own pace and to add as much or as little detail as they would like to their Rainbow Dragons. Some students might finish their drawing during class, some students might prefer to continue drawing after class, and some students like to draw many dragons during class -- all of these are totally OK! Students are also welcome to use any materials they're inspired to use; I'll demonstrate introductory basics of penciling and inking, and show them some of the illustration tools that I use, but students should feel free to try out whatever techniques they like, use whatever materials they have at hand, and work at whatever pace is most comfortable for them. 

Each class is a little different, depending on the learners in it -- some classes like to draw quietly, and others might want to chat with one another -- but learners are not required to share their drawings if they do not wish to do so.  Learners are encouraged to participate in whatever way they feel most comfortable.  This class is not a step-by-step drawing class, as students are encouraged to draw at their own pace and use their imaginations to create their own unique Rainbow Dragons.   My teaching style has been described as interactive, enthusiastic, and supportive. Learners are encouraged but not required to share their work and ideas. My goal is for them to have fun drawing, meet other dragon fans, and possibly try out a new technique or two for their drawing.

I also have a number of other dragon-related arts classes: "Drawing Dragons" is a more in-depth class that uses frequent examples and various techniques for creating and drawing a dragon, and "Dragon Drawing Hangout" is for learners who already like to draw dragons to share their dragon drawings (and other dragon-related things like books or toys) with one another while also drawing together. The emphasis there is on brainstorming drawing ideas, peer social interaction, and working on specific learner-centered requests (how to draw wings, for example, or eyes), but is a shorter class meeting. In addition, my "Create a Watercolor Dragon" class shows learners basic watercolor techniques that they can use to paint a mixed-media dragon (they'll use a permanent marker to outline the dragon and then use watercolor to add detail to the dragon they've created); the goal in that class is for students to try out a more challenging art medium (watercolor) with a familiar and fun subject (dragons).