Tips for teaching kids digital art?

[jvartandillustration]

Hi everyone,

Recently I started private digital art lessons for kids out of my home. I have only a small handful of students so far, but hopefully word of mouth will help bring in more.

The first lessons went really well, because it was all about how to use the digital tools first, then I would send them off with a challenge to practice using those tools.

We are now beyond learning to use the tools, and we are getting into drawing technique. This is where I'm having some struggles. We only have half an hour for one student, and my plan was to structure the classes so that I introduce some new concepts during our time together, and they would then go home and practice on their own. The problem is that during the lesson, many of them just become disinterested in hearing me talk about technique, and want to sit there and draw, but I feel like it is a waste of their time and money if we are sitting there quietly and just drawing.

I wondered if anyone has done something similar before? Have you taught kids, and do you have any recommendations about making the most of our time? Should I have them set aside their device for part of the class so they can give me their attention while I teach a concept?

[Chantal Goetheer]

@jvartandillustration what age are your students?

[jvartandillustration]

@Chantal-Goetheer They vary between 10-15

[lpetiti]

@jvartandillustration I teach digital art to high school students. Honestly, you NEVER want to instruct for longer than 10-15 minutes at a time (and 15 is pushing it honestly). Explain some techniques, but give them plenty of time to put things into practice. It's best to have them do practicing with you for a bit. Art classes are made for sitting and drawing, but it doesn't have to be done quietly. Pick something fun to draw, and draw with them.

What age and what software are you working with?

[willicreate]

@jvartandillustration Early in the year I almost posted a similar question. I have a younger cousin who is interested in illustration, but not keen on learning technique. I try to be present and offer lessons I learned, but it seemed my approach wasn't landing.

So, I switched my position from tutor to draw buddy. I try to learn what she likes to draw, her art goals, etc and draw at the same desk with her. She can watch and passively learn technique (something I did back in school) and ask questions.

You can also make it into a sort of Mad Lib game, taking turns drawing a comic strip. When me and my mates did this we keep the drawings in one sketchbook. When it was my turn with the book, I'd studied their drawings for a long time, picking up their style choices. But, keep the drawings simple. I tried to replicate this in college and drew my best work in it and it just intimidated some people.

I also suspect my cousin needed a role model of the same gender. I introduced her to an old classmate and now seems greatly inspired. My cousin is now watching my friend's short videos and is paying attention to technique.

[Chantal Goetheer]

@jvartandillustration the attention span indeed is not very long. Drawing together would be a good way where you are commenting on your own and your students work concerning the technique you want to discuss. It will be more a conversation. The trick is also ask a lot of questions and share observations to steer them in a direction instead of telling them what to do. Because when you tell them, they stop thinking about it and become passive and easily distracted.
You might get them to pick an illustration to discuss together. Or even get frozen images of shows they like to watch to see what they did with composition or whatever is the topic. Basically anything that would get you two to interact about the drawing. And getting as much input as you can to match their interests. Attention spans for listening is pretty short and having to try something you were explained on your own is hard. You might give them a sort of visual handout that recaps what you discussed to take home so they have something to hold on to at home when doing their own drawing. Would love to hear what you tried and how it worked out.

[jvartandillustration]

@lpetiti They ate between the ages of 10 and 15.

We are all using Procreate on iPads.

[AngelinaKizz]

Let them draw, and go kid to kid and show them a way to improve or do what they're doing more efficiently with the tools that are available.

[lpetiti]

@jvartandillustration Yeah the best thing to do is let them draw. Trust me, its not a waste of time or money. There are days where I'm working right alongside my students. I figure a lot of them are taking art lessons because they want to draw. Make it interactive; save a long discussion for later in their art journeys (colleges can get away with a 45 minute lecture, not so much the younger kids)

[Pamela Fraley]

@jvartandillustration I taught for a little while too and my method was to be drawing for them or with them for every possible moment. The only exception I can think of was when they came into class and I already had some basic shapes on the board. I took them through a slide show of animated characters and compared them to the shapes so we could talk about shape language. And I asked them for examples too. They seemed to like that. But, otherwise, it was, here’s what the technique for the day is, watch me do it, let’s all do it together. They just get bored way too easy - even the ones that want to learn.

[Chantal Goetheer]

@lpetiti even in college the students have a hard time listening for long. Many are gone after 20/ 30 min of lecture.

[lpetiti]

@Chantal-Goetheer yep i agree. First mistake I made as a new high school teacher was talking for 45 minutes straight

[danielerossi]

Some really great tips here that I can use for the cartooning workshops I give to kids at conferences! I don’t have any to share but I do have a funny story.

It was my second workshop but I was still very new and clueless on how to teach little kids. I quickly showed them how to draw a comic, then we drew one together, then I let them draw their own for the remainder of the workshop.

At one point, one of the boys decided to make a paper airplane out of this comic strip. Then all the other boys started making paper airplanes instead of drawing comics. All the girls were busy drawing their comics.

Next thing I knew, paper airplanes were flying all over the room. Since I had no training whatsoever about teaching kids, all I could do was say “You can draw comics on your paper airplanes!”.

[carlianne]

@jvartandillustration

I don't think it's a waste of money at all to be drawing during your lesson, I would actually expect it! The way I think about it is most artists are visual learners and drawing is something you have to practice and DO to improve. So hearing about techniques is good but seeing it being done and trying to do it and have someone guide them as they make the attempt are the most helpful. Plus as a teacher you might be surprised by a mistake your student is making or by something you didn't think of mentioning that is causing them trouble that you can only really notice when watching them do it.

I think it makes total sense to do a short technique lesson followed by drawing together or letting them do it and a little critique or guidance sprinkled in.

[NessIllustration]

@jvartandillustration Best thing you can do at that age is foster their passion for drawing. Don't let it become boring or tedious for them! Create exercises that help them practice something in particular, and draw with them. Put on music! Encourage them to adapt the exercise to their own interests and styles so they have fun. Someone wants to draw anime? Let them draw anime! Go to each student and give them individual tips to improve what they're doing.

The idea was learning in your class, practicing drawing at home and I understand that in theory. In practice, maybe at home they have to do their homework, or they hang out with friends, do chores or simply want to relax after a long day of school. Providing them an opportunity to draw and creating a fun and supportive environment for it is very valuable!

[lpetiti]

@NessIllustration I don't know about you, but after art school I've REALLY struggled with art and drawing not being a chore or something that I have to perfect (and I'm almost at the point where I've been teaching for ten years, so college was a while ago). Your insights are GREAT because it means these kids will have a more fun time working on art, and it will be a source of joy to them rather than boring.

[kirsten-mcg]

@jvartandillustration Sounds like everyone else has some good ideas on this one. Are you drawing while you talk? In other words, instead of explaining how to simplify a shape, show them how you would draw over a photograph using simpler lines. Things like that. Showing rather than telling tends to hold kids attention better. And I couldn't agree more on the 10 minute instruction time! My two teenage sons have been slowly working their way through Jake Parker's How to Draw Everything class. They pretty much just watch one video segment a day and then practice what they learned. It doesn't seem like much time, but they are making progress, and both are happy with the improvements to their drawings! I think less is more when it comes to teaching kids.

[willicreate]

Interesting how we have a consensus. Basically be Bob Ross.

Since this is private tutoring, the parents will require to see some success indicators. Probably would want a ceremony of some kind (ie. gallery show). I'm guessing your projects for the kids are working towards this end goal?

[lpetiti]

@willicreate Gallery shows are a great idea any time! Display work, maybe have a little reception, and hand out certificates. Even as an adult getting that kind of recognition really encourages me.

[NessIllustration]

@lpetiti Totally agree! I was lucky to have art teachers in middle school and high school who just gave us projects and let us work on them at leisure. I even ate my lunch in the art room to keep working on my project. I can honestly say the art class is what got me up in the morning because it was the one single class I enjoyed and looked forward to. I learned my fundamentals in college, but I learned my love of art in those high school classes