Learning with iPad - "Digital Art Kickstart"

Context

Step into the art studio of the future, where every color is at your fingertips and "mistakes" can be undone with a simple tap. This lesson introduces students to Procreate, the powerhouse app that has transformed the iPad into a professional-grade creative tool. Forget messy paint and expensive supplies; here, the only limit is imagination.

Preparation and flow

This lesson is scaffolded to build skills progressively, ensuring every student can achieve a creative outcome.

1. Inspiration & Setup (5 mins)

Begin by showcasing a few diverse examples of art created in Procreate (e.g., a simple landscape, a character, abstract art) to inspire students and show what's possible.

Guide students in opening Procreate, navigating to the Gallery, and creating a new "Screen Size" canvas.

2. The Artist's Toolkit: A Guided Tour (15 mins)

Brushes: Introduce the Brush Library. Have students select the "Sketching" category and choose the "6B Pencil" to doodle. Then, show them a "Painting" brush to see the difference.

Colors: Demonstrate how to use the Color Disc to pick a color. Show them how to save a favorite color to the palette.

Eraser & Undo: Explain that the Eraser uses the same brush library. Most importantly, teach the core gestures: two-finger tap to Undo and three-finger tap to Redo. Have them practice this several times.

3. The Magic of Layers (10 mins)

Explain layers using an analogy, like stacking sheets of clear tracing paper.

Model the concept:

Layer 1: Fill the entire layer with a blue color for the sky using the "ColorDrop" feature.

Create a new layer by tapping the + icon in the Layers panel.

Layer 2: On this new layer, draw green hills. Show how the hills draw over the sky, and how you can erase the hills without affecting the blue background.

4. Guided Creation: Your First Landscape (15 mins)

Lead students step-by-step in creating a simple, stylized landscape using their new skills.

Layer 1: Sky: Choose a color and use ColorDrop to fill the background.

Layer 2: Land: On a new layer, draw hills or the ground.

Layer 3: Sun/Moon: On another new layer, draw a simple sun or moon.

Layer 4: Details: On a final layer, encourage them to add a simple tree, a cloud, or stars.

5. Gallery Walk & Celebration (5 mins)

Have students place their iPads on their desks with their artwork open.

Allow everyone to walk around for two minutes to silently view their classmates' creations. This is a low-pressure way to share and celebrate everyone's unique work.

This is more than just a drawing lesson. It’s an introduction to the fundamental concepts of digital creation that are vital in countless creative industries. Students will learn the "magic" of layers, allowing them to build complex images without fear. They will explore a vast library of brushes that can mimic everything from a pencil sketch to an oil painting.

By the end of the session, students won't just have learned how to use an app—they will have created a piece of art from a blank canvas, building confidence and a new set of skills for expressing their ideas visually.

Possible Extension

Texture & Blending: Introduce the Smudge tool to blend colors (like the sky at sunset). Also, show students how to use Alpha Lock on a layer to add texture or details without going outside the lines of what's already drawn.

Photo Tracing: Have students import a simple photo onto a bottom layer. They can lower the opacity of the photo layer and then trace the main shapes on a new layer above it to practice line work and observation.

Character Creation: Challenge students to design a simple character, using separate layers for the outline, the color fill, and shading.

Animation Assist: Introduce Procreate's simple animation feature. Students can make the sun set or a star twinkle in their landscape by duplicating frames and making small changes.

From the LearnGrowCreate Team

Main author: Sharon