Library Art Programs for Kids & Teens

Learning-To-Draw

Learning-To-Draw: Yokai

A series of drawing programs focusing on Yokai and Japanese culture. I teach the kids/teens about Yokai (i.e. monsters from Japanese folklore), what they are, where they come from, give an introduction to Japanese culture & mythology, and how yokai serve as inspiration for many of the popular characters that they know from games like Pokemon or most all anime monsters. Each Program in this series covers 3 new yokai.

I teach how to approach a drawing using techniques like how to block in major shapes first, drawing light to dark, and letting story drive your details. Typically I have found we are able to make it through 1 full yokai drawing and most of the way through a 2nd yokai. The third yokai is introduced and instructions are included in the PDF handout to give participants direction for continuing to pursue drawing on their own. 

Learning-To-Draw: Character Design

A fun drawing program where I share the basics of character design I’ve learned from working as a freelance illustrator in the tabletop game industry. I walk the kids through the typical process that goes into creating a character for a game. I teach them how to draw a simple character while encouraging students to customize their character at key points using their imagination. All the while focusing on reinforcing the mindset of the character designer (i.e. pulling key details from the story the character comes from and how to translate that into an actual design).

In these programs,

There are two character options for this program:

1. Hubie, the goblin magic school student (character bust); great for younger kids
2. Sir Rabbit Knight, an animal knight character (full body character), slightly more advanced skill level. Good for middle school – teens.

*Included as part of this program:
-Media Bundle: images for your library to use to help promote the programs
-A PDF handout to be distributed to the participants. In it are a How-To-Draw instruction sheet for the character covered in the program (so kids can continue on their own), a tools & materials list (all affordable), a drawing tip sheet, and a recommended reading list.

Logistic Info

Typical Program Flow:
8-12 min Intro & topic presentation (i.e. Japanese culture & What Yokai are) with accompanying images & slides
50 min drawing instruction: kids following along as I draw with them step-by-step and answering questions as we go
Last 10 min: final Q & A + we go over the handout PDF to give kids direction should they want to pursue drawing further

Live Zoom Programs:
Libraries schedule the Zoom meeting and make me a co-host. I very much like to have a librarian on hand throughout the program to operate as a moderator for the kids’ questions. This helps the programs to run smoother and allows us to cover more ground. Click the button below, fill out the email form, and we’ll find a date that works.