Lesson 1: Drawing Fundamentals 
o	Understand how to vary line 
o	Draw several blind-contours 
o	Practice observational and hand-eye coordination skills 
o	Practice drawing simple shapes and forms
o	Draw a simple object
o	Review shading concepts

Lesson 2: Analyzing Successful Character Design 
o	Develop reference library for successful character deigns 
o	Learn about key concepts in character design (proportion, shape, balance, contrast, form, unity, variety, silhouette, color) 
o	Analyze successful characters
o	Take notes on important aspects of character design!

Lesson 3: Simple Design with Household Objects
o	Learn to take inspiration from your environment 
o	Practice managing proportion and shape in character design 
o	Think creatively about how to turn simple household objects into interesting characters
o	Stretch the imagination by drawing the same object multiple times

Lesson 4: Developing Gesture
o	Learn how to do a gesture drawing 
o	Practice gestures to build observation skills, understanding of anatomy and proportion, and create expression in a character

 Lesson 5: Design over Gesture	
o	Practice gesture drawing 
o	Develop good gesture drawing skills 
o	Learn how effective and important gestures are to drawing characters

Lesson 6: Simplified Faces
o	Understand basic proportions & landmarks of the human face
o	Know how to measure using your fingers or a pencil 
o	Be comfortable with drawing simplified faces 
o	Have drawn several simple, shape based faces

Lesson 7: Building Caricatures & Expressions
o	Understand basic proportions & landmarks of the human face
o	Know how to measure using your fingers or a pencil 
o	Be comfortable with drawing simplified faces 
o	Have drawn several simple, shape based faces

Lesson 8: Let’s Review & Practice
o	Review & Practice previous learned concepts such as:
o	Landmarks and proportions of the face
o	How to simplify figures and faces
o	Key elements of character design (proportion, shape, balance, contrast, form, unity, variety, silhouette, color)
o	Prioritize those elements of character design that the young artist have not focused on yet

Lesson 9: Developed Design 
o	Learn common color meanings and how they vary 
o	Learn how to design a successful color palette 
o	Learn how to use value and color effectively 
o	Practice creating color-focused character design 

Lesson 10: Inspiration Boards & Research 
o	Learn how to build an inspiration board
o	Research and develop an idea for a character 
o	Collect inspiration materials to put onto the inspo board
o	Begin developing an inspiration board

Lesson 11: Planning it Out
o	Plan a thoughtful layout for the character sheet
o	Being drawing out the character sheet

Lesson 12: Refining Matters & Finishing Up 
o	Plan a thoughtful layout for a character sheet
o	Put character sheet together 
o	Finish designing and drawing the character turn around

Lesson 13: Show & Tell 
o	Learn how to give and receive critique 
o	Practice critique 
o	Show off your work!

I am delighted to be able to offer classes that emphasize fine art techniques through the lens of observational drawing. Observational art is a method of learning to draw with three principles in mind: understanding of the subject, building looking skills, and practice of artistic technique. Through this method and practice, learners can draw anything. Completion of my courses will result in a learner who is engaged with art and understands basic art technique. Even students who are not aspiring artists have much to gain from drawing, including improvement of hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity skills.

Along with my bachelor’s degree in art history and studio art from a premier liberal arts institution in Ohio, I also have been teaching since 2016. My online teaching career began on Outschool in 2017. I have taught homeschoolers, unschoolers, and undergraduate students of all ages. My background in art history means that my classes are created with an understanding of historical precedence- I’m teaching what I know works! Many of my classes include examples of important artworks from masters for students to examine and learn skills from. In addition, my many years of teaching art have helped me curate concise and logical drawing curriculum that young artists can easily pick up and apply to their work. Every art class I teach hopes to provide learners with all the knowledge and support they need to grow as an artist.

Homework Offered
Though I have plenty of time planned in-class for young artists to complete their work, some young artists may find that they need extra time outside of class to practice or complete their work. It is important that they have a fully finished inspiration board and character sheet for our critique in the final lesson. 
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
To remove the stress of what is sometimes a very daunting course of study, your learners will not have tests, quizzes, or formal grades in the class. Instead, I utilize positive verbal critiques to provide feedback and encourage improvement. However, if grades are requested I will provide them via rubrics that will suggest a grade. Learners progress will be gauged by the completion of their assignments, execution of techniques, contributions in critique sessions, and their class presence (being on-time, listening when I am speaking, and how they communicate with peers). 
Grades Offered