Class Description
Pencil to Pixel: This class invites students to explore traditional art techniques — graphite, charcoal, and ink — before digitizing their creations using digital design tools. It’s the perfect blend of analog and digital art, encouraging participants to build foundational drawing skills and reimagine their work through modern media.
Learning Objectives: in this class, students will learn about:
- Foundational drawing techniques using graphite, charcoal, and ink;
- Developing basic digital design skills using Adobe Fresco;
- Using traditional tools to practice blending, mark-making, and composition;
- Understanding the creative process from brainstorming to final image creation;
- Applying contrast, value, line, and form to create dynamic visual compositions;
- The art of the peer critique and give peer critiques on the progress of student work;
- Opportunities and potential resources on career pathways;
- How to distribute, exhibit, and promote artwork for a variety of audiences.
Equipment
- iPads
- iPencils
- Sketch paper
- Graphite pencils (12B-4H)
- Vinyl & Kneaded Erasers
- Pencil Sharpeners
- Charcoal Pencils (Black & White)
- Willow Charcoal Sticks
- Hard, Medium & Soft Charcoal Sticks
- Tortillon Smudge Stumps
- Pilot Bravo Liquid Ink Marker Pens
- Pigma Micron Archival Ink Pens
- Bianyo Art Alcohol Ink Markers
Software
- Adobe Fresco
Deliverables: Students and Class Projects
- Student Deliverables for each medium (graphite, charcoal, and ink):
- Sketchbook Exploration: Experimental drawings using traditional materials
- Final Traditional Artwork: A completed drawing using the medium’s physical tools
- Digital Thumbnails: Small concept sketches created in Adobe Fresco
- Digital Interpretation: A finished digital version of the traditional artwork, recreated or refined in Adobe Fresco