digital illustration arrives

Art teacher Elizabeth Schar leds a new art class this year, focused on digital illustration.

In the digital art class students work with iPads and learn to use an art application called Procreate, experimenting with its multitude of features.

The original plan for the class was to have digital art to be incorporated into general art classes. Schar said the idea evolved into a separate course after she talked back and forth with Principal Andy Jados. “I had to write up a proposal for it and submit that, and then it had to get approved,” Schar said.

Schar spoke with teacher Christy Horton who offered yearbook's help to get the iPad cart needed for the class.

One project that the students worked on was Mandalas or Zentangles. This geometric art uses radial symmetry, or symmetry around a central point, like a star fish.

“Kids can get a hands on experience, but also patience is so important, details are so important, and I think that’s one thing I’m hoping that they take away from this class,” Schar said.

Another project that the students will do is design a cartoon character. Schar said you could create a character from scratch or take parts of other characters and piece them together.

Students will also get to collaborate on real-life projects. Plans are in the work to create the yearbook cover, and Schar wants to work with the marketing department and school store.

Schar wants her digital illustration classes to pilot new programs, like working with English teachers and creative writing to "illustrate children’s books and possibly work with the elementary schools,” Schar added.

There has been a positive response to the course and students have signed-up for a variety of reasons, like Gabriel Miller who hopes to “learn more and grow artistic abilities."

Schar said she wants students to take away from the class that anyone can do art and that there are many opportunities and careers in the digital art field.