Tips for teaching kids digital art?

[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

[lpetiti]

@NessIllustration For me I'm really struggling to get my love of it back after college (took years to come to terms with that...). That's why now I try to be more flexible with my students and their work. Still doing certain techniques and assignments, but really emphasizing creativity. I hope it helps.

[ArtistErin]

I totally agree with making it fun, and not a chore or a place they have to impress another adult... And a side benefit, technique comes naturally when the mood is fun and inspiring.

Ideas:

Set up a prompt, using the techniques you taught to that point! Favorite movie star in their style, video game character, something they relate to. Keeping it fun and simple... Procreate is from what I know a fairly simple platform (I use Photoshop, and a Cintiq) so apparently using the tools is easy now the fun part is discovering how to make their stuff come to fruition...

You could do a "Contribute your addition" section where each kid adds to the canvas you start (ie like a spaceship has landed in some unknown world, some kind of cool concept) You could create your version and send everyone a copy in which they'll add their spinoff to the final canvas.. and at the end you could set up a reveal party for everyone to join in a celebration event, discussion, noting use of the techniques you taught, etc. Dunno how you could set that up? I've seen this format done as a canvassed work, artists send the canvas on to the next contributor and they make their art on the same canvas.

Draw alongs are always so much fun. I loved these as a kid. Learned a great deal about drawing from imagination, fortunately my teachers were easy to listen to and understand. I was an intense and quiet student and wandered in my mind alot but took in as much as I could handle and wanted to be left alone to apply what I just absorbed.

Just a few ideas!

[ArtistErin]

@danielerossi haaahaaa classic!!

[Jean Watson]

@danielerossi That is so funny! I was trying to teach chess to 12 year old boys a few years ago during their lunch break. Totally clueless about teaching, some clue about chess. I'd been given a suggestion that you clap to get their attention. I was a bit nervous though and instead of one slow loud clap, I did a few rapid fire ones. They all looked at me with glee thinking 'we can have some fun with this clueless noob' and clapped madly back at me. Mortifying! lol

[danielerossi]

@Jean-Watson I should try that next time

[ArtistErin]

@Jean-Watson This made me chuckle I could envision the whole scenario and put myself in your shoes, felt the mortifying feeling of being skewered by 12 year old boys. So funny