Art in Action: Digital Illustrations

 Week 1: Introduction to Digital Art Tools

• Objective: Get familiar with digital illustration software and tools.
• Highlights:
  • Explore the basics of digital drawing tablets and software like Procreate or Adobe Fresco.
  • Learn how to use brushes, layers, and color palettes.
  • Fun Activity: Create your first digital sketch, experimenting with tools and textures.

Week 2: Sketching Characters and Expressions

• Objective: Learn to design and bring characters to life.
• Highlights:
  • Understand proportions, poses, and facial expressions.
  • Explore how to develop unique character personalities through art.
  • Fun Activity: Sketch and refine a character for your animated story.

Weeks 3-4: Designing Dynamic Backgrounds

• Objective: Create vibrant and immersive digital environments.
• Highlights:
  • Learn perspective and composition techniques for backgrounds.
  • Experiment with textures and color blending to set the mood.
  • Fun Activity: Design a dynamic background for your character’s world.

Weeks 5-6: Adding Motion: Animation Basics

• Objective: Explore the fundamentals of animation and motion.
• Highlights:
  • Learn about keyframes, timing, and movement.
  • Create simple frame-by-frame animations, like a bouncing ball or waving hand.
  • Fun Activity: Animate a short scene featuring your character in action.

Week 7: Adding Special Effects and Polishing Your Work

• Objective: Enhance your animations with special effects and refine your art.
• Highlights:
  • Add elements like glowing lights, shadows, and sparkles.
  • Explore sound effects and music to bring your animation to life.
  • Fun Activity: Complete a short animated story with motion and effects.

Week 8: The Art in Action Showcase

• Objective: Share your digital artwork and animation with an audience.
• Highlights:
  • Present your final animated story in a fun and interactive showcase.
  • Reflect on your creative journey and celebrate your growth as an artist.
  • Celebrate your creativity and innovation with your award certificate! 

 *Note: Course outline subject to change based on grade level of students and prior knowledge of students--we believe in providing a truly differentiated learning environment!*