In this class Joalida will teach your teen contemporary art-making using pencils, charcoal and ink. Focusing on black and white helps developing artists to focus on the more technical aspects of drawing: light, shading and composition.  Charcoal and ink is also a very expressive medium and great for teens to learn how to use expressive mark-making in their art.

Younger teens with drawing skills may benefit from this art class as it will teach the fundamentals of drawing.

The Wednesday class focuses on painting on paper and canvas and drawing skills are assumed and not taught directly.  Ages 12 – 17

Materials list

1. Willow charcoal sticks
2. set of charcoal pencils
3. set of drawing pencils (2B, 4B, 6B)
4. Black India ink
5. Sketchbook with textured surface (larger than document size preferred)

Why take an art class?

Teens can benefit from taking an art class for a variety of reasons. It supports cognitive and emotional development. In particular, it facilitates executive functioning through planning and organising ideas and solving problems as they emerge during the process.  It is a stress-release and can be therapeutic,providing a unique way for teens to communicate thoughts, emotions, and ideas that might be difficult to express through words alone. It builds self-esteem, facilitates personal growth and social-emotional development as budding artists develop their skills in the presence of others.

Regardless of their career aspirations, engaging in artistic activities within a class environment can contribute to a teen’s overall personal development and well-being.

Photo credit of Joalida: James Gustin