Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tanna set up her classroom in the first few weeks she arrived back at the castle and was now waiting on the corner of her desk for her new set of Fourth Years. She smiled all the same and waved to each as they came in thinking that maybe this way they could all have a special connection because of it. "Hello and welcome to Art II. To start the class we'll begin with the basics!" She went over to the blackboard and wrote in her curly script Basic lines and Figures.
"When you first start a sketch it is a good idea to lightly draw your lines in case you need to erase any later on. A big mistake a lot of people do when they first start the outline of a sketch is they typically press down to hard with their pencil thus creating a dark line and an indention in the paper. This will not only be hard to erase later on but may damage the paper because of the indention created. Start your sketch with a harder lead pencil or just not press down to hard when you’re doing the rough outline. Use basic shapes if you have a hard time drawing an object. When first learning how to sketch, most have a hard time getting the sketch to look like what they are drawing. One way to get your sketch started is to break down the drawing using basic shapes like so," Tanna picked up the chalk and drew an oval with four straight lines: three horizontal to depict the eye, nose, and mouth region while one going vertical to split the oval in half. She then drew a series of squares, rectangles and small ovals to depict eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
"Another important measure to keep in mind is to visualize how you want your final drawing to look on your paper before starting your sketch in order to avoid coming too close to the edge of the paper or even worse, running out of room. Visually lay out how you want the sketch to look on paper then lightly draw the outline making sure to stay within an imaginary border. And finally, and most importantly, take your time when sketching. There is no time limit when it comes to creativity. I know sometimes you might get stuck, kind of like writers block, so instead of getting frustrated and feeling like you’re on some kind of schedule walk away – take a break. Come back when you feel better and if you still can’t get past that roadblock, set your sketch to the side and come back to it at a later date.
For the remainder of class I'd like you to do a basic sketch of your face and for homework I'd like you to find something, anything or anyone at all, to do a basic sketch over. The homework isn't graded its merely a tool to enable better understanding of what we do in class. When you're finished you may leave it behind or take it with you and leave."

Tanna walked into her classroom happily from the great start of the year. She would have had a bounce in her step had she not been pregnant but what could you do? She went over to her chalkboard to write Sketching Techniques in her familiar curly script.
"Welcome back, I hope you all had a great first week of classes. Now, last week we went over basic lines and figures so now we're moving on to technique. A good tip before we begin is to always make the outline light to start with. Use a soft lead pencil to draw the initial sketch with very light outlines. Use minimal pressure and make your lines just heavy enough so that you can see them. With light lines you can erase without leaving deep indentations in your paper. This is a nice little drawing technique trick to help you just in case you make a mistake or have to adjust something – which I guarantee you will. Now there are 5 excellent techniques to basic sketching:
One, Drawing Contours. In this exercise you basically pick an object whether it’s a picture or anything you can see and try to draw it without lifting your pencil off of the paper. Doing this will help you to be able to practice getting the proportions correct.
Two, Drawing Motion. Recording movement helps grasp the overall image. Try to draw the movement of the person or object you see. Do it quickly, don’t try to give it a finished look because these are just practice drawings!
Three, Drawing with a grid. This is an excellent exercise to give you a sense of proportion. Draw a grid on a blank piece of paper and then try to sketch an image on it. The grid will help you position the objects in the picture and also to make them proportionate. This is an excellent technique when sketching faces.
Four, Drawing in a continuous line. Another focusing exercise: put the pencil on the paper and try to reproduce what you see with a continuous line, without lifting the pencil. Try to focus more on the object, not so much on your sketching. You can do a figure eight or any continuous shape as long as you don’t have to lift your pencil from the paper.
And five, Blind drawing. Try to sketch what you see without looking at your drawing at all. This exercise helps you “feel” your tools and also improve coordination and focus.
For the remainder of class I'd like you to pick two techniques you'd like to begin with and attempt their exercises. There is grid paper available on all your desks if you would like to start with that one and pencils can be found on any surface of the room just in case you don't have one. For homework I'd like you to do the remaining techniques. If you have any questions or issues don't hesitate to ask me and when you're finished you're free to go." Tanna grinned and clapped softly but happily.

Tanna waited in her now familiar classroom with her also familiar grin on her face. Seeing her students were all accounted for she walked over to her chalkboard and wrote out Sketching enchantments. Turning to face the class she looked over at one of her NEWT students, standing off to the side of the classroom looking uncomfortable, making eye contact to ensure they understood when she would need help before starting. "Hello again students, I've been so impressed by you sketches and exercises over the past few weeks and as you can see I've hung a few of my favorites on the walls." she gestured to hung sketches from each pupil in the class before continuing. "Today we finally get into the magic behind art, enchanting your artwork. You don't get into enchanting portraits and statues until after your OWL's I'm afraid but you do get something equally fun with your sketches. But you can't just draw and expect it to work, it needs to balanced and placed in perfect perspective for it to work else you'd have a clumsy and very odd piece of art.
First, draw the background scene which your movements will take place in. If the background is to move as well draw the changes supposed to happen. For example, if you're riding down a road and want to sketch the passing scenery draw the trees, buildings, animals, etc. that passes you by.
Second, the person or object you want to move needs to have an objective, where its going, what its doing, etc. A ball rolling along a road after being thrown by a child, a quidditch player flying in the sky amid the bludgers and other players, things like that.
Third, draw these actions. I know it seems impossible but draw the the first and end results of these actions: the ball that was seemingly rolling along has a child finally catch up to it, the quidditch player catches the snitch or does a loop-de-loop, whatever your heart's desire.
And finally, the fourth and last step is the imagine the the movements that you want, the story if you will, lightly tap your sketch with your wand and speak the incantation: Concio. Since I don't own a wand I've asked one of my NEWT students to come in and help. Would you be so kind?" Tanna looked imploringly at her student who blushed at being placed in attention but stood and walked over to her before they were handed a drawn sketch. As per tradition, she created a sketch of her current class featuring her two students wearing their House robes smiling and now waving periodically with the Hufflepuff girl occasionally changing hair color and the Ravenclaw boy examining the frames of the picture. With a smile the young professor hung her now animated sketch (gently of course, wouldn't want to disrupt the teens), on the center wall of her classroom before turning back towards the class.
"Thank you for the demonstration, your note for your class is on the desk. Now you all are gonna attempt the same. It doesn't have to be a horribly complicated image just something simple enough for you to imagine. And for an added incentive, the first person to have made a successfully moving image will be awarded a prize and house points. You may begin!"

Tanna set up her classroom in the first few weeks she arrived back at the castle and was now waiting on the corner of her desk for her new set of Fourth Years. She smiled all the same and waved to each as they came in thinking that maybe this way they could all have a special connection because of it. "Hello and welcome to Art II. To start the class we'll begin with the basics!" She went over to the blackboard and wrote in her curly script Basic lines and Figures.
"When you first start a sketch it is a good idea to lightly draw your lines in case you need to erase any later on. A big mistake a lot of people do when they first start the outline of a sketch is they typically press down to hard with their pencil thus creating a dark line and an indention in the paper. This will not only be hard to erase later on but may damage the paper because of the indention created. Start your sketch with a harder lead pencil or just not press down to hard when you’re doing the rough outline. Use basic shapes if you have a hard time drawing an object. When first learning how to sketch, most have a hard time getting the sketch to look like what they are drawing. One way to get your sketch started is to break down the drawing using basic shapes like so," Tanna picked up the chalk and drew an oval with four straight lines: three horizontal to depict the eye, nose, and mouth region while one going vertical to split the oval in half. She then drew a series of squares, rectangles and small ovals to depict eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.
"Another important measure to keep in mind is to visualize how you want your final drawing to look on your paper before starting your sketch in order to avoid coming too close to the edge of the paper or even worse, running out of room. Visually lay out how you want the sketch to look on paper then lightly draw the outline making sure to stay within an imaginary border. And finally, and most importantly, take your time when sketching. There is no time limit when it comes to creativity. I know sometimes you might get stuck, kind of like writers block, so instead of getting frustrated and feeling like you’re on some kind of schedule walk away – take a break. Come back when you feel better and if you still can’t get past that roadblock, set your sketch to the side and come back to it at a later date.
For the remainder of class I'd like you to do a basic sketch of your face and for homework I'd like you to find something, anything or anyone at all, to do a basic sketch over. The homework isn't graded its merely a tool to enable better understanding of what we do in class. When you're finished you may leave it behind or take it with you and leave."

xSeymour Benjamin Ryansxxxxx
xxxx<4th Year><Single: pfft... I'm a one man army!>

Benjamin took a seat next to Mira, and didn't bother taking notes like Mira did (the little nerd), but when they were set free to start sketching themselves, a big grin grew on his face and he picked up a mirror looking at his reflection. Glancing to Mira he said, "I'm a good artist, but I worry I can't do such a handsome face justice... such pressure you know..." He sighed before winking at Mira and picking up his pencil and beginning to sketch, propping his feet up on the desk without much concern apparently. The curves and lines of his pencil quickly forming shapes that made up his features and the curve of his brow and set of his eyes soon coming to life on the page. Art was one thing he was confident about. He may prefer photography usually. but it didn't mean he wasn't decent in other art forms, though he did suppose he needed to think up what subject to use for his homework. He probably could convince Camila to pose for him, granted he knew what Morven looked like well enough he could do her from memory. And if he drew her in some bikini or slightly risque position and left it for her to find she'd be furious. Now that would be funny... He chuckled slightly at the thought as he continued to work, pretty much lost in his own sketching and thoughts.

Tanna walked into her classroom practically skipping from her great start of the new year. She went over to her chalkboard to write Sketching Techniques in her familiar curly script.
"Welcome back, I hope you all had a great first week of classes. Now, last week we went over basic lines and figures so now we're moving on to technique. A good tip before we begin is to always make the outline light to start with. Use a soft lead pencil to draw the initial sketch with very light outlines. Use minimal pressure and make your lines just heavy enough so that you can see them. With light lines you can erase without leaving deep indentations in your paper. This is a nice little drawing technique trick to help you just in case you make a mistake or have to adjust something – which I guarantee you will. Now there are 5 excellent techniques to basic sketching:
One, Drawing Contours. In this exercise you basically pick an object whether it’s a picture or anything you can see and try to draw it without lifting your pencil off of the paper. Doing this will help you to be able to practice getting the proportions correct.
Two, Drawing Motion. Recording movement helps grasp the overall image. Try to draw the movement of the person or object you see. Do it quickly, don’t try to give it a finished look because these are just practice drawings!
Three, Drawing with a grid. This is an excellent exercise to give you a sense of proportion. Draw a grid on a blank piece of paper and then try to sketch an image on it. The grid will help you position the objects in the picture and also to make them proportionate. This is an excellent technique when sketching faces.
Four, Drawing in a continuous line. Another focusing exercise: put the pencil on the paper and try to reproduce what you see with a continuous line, without lifting the pencil. Try to focus more on the object, not so much on your sketching. You can do a figure eight or any continuous shape as long as you don’t have to lift your pencil from the paper.
And five, Blind drawing. Try to sketch what you see without looking at your drawing at all. This exercise helps you “feel” your tools and also improve coordination and focus.
For the remainder of class I'd like you to pick two techniques you'd like to begin with and attempt their exercises. There is grid paper available on all your desks if you would like to start with that one and pencils can be found on any surface of the room just in case you don't have one. For homework I'd like you to do the remaining techniques. If you have any questions or issues don't hesitate to ask me and when you're finished you're free to go." Tanna grinned and clapped softly but happily.

Tanna walked into her now familiar classroom with her also familiar grin on her face. Seeing her students were all accounted for she walked over to her chalkboard and wrote out Sketching enchantments. Turning to face the class she looked over at one of her NEWT students, standing off to the side of the classroom looking uncomfortable, making eye contact to ensure they understood when she would need help before starting. "Hello again students, I've been so impressed by you sketches and exercises over the past few weeks and as you can see I've hung a few of my favorites on the walls." she gestured to hung sketches from each pupil in the class before continuing. "Today we finally get into the magic behind art, enchanting your artwork. You don't get into enchanting portraits and statues until after your OWL's I'm afraid but you do get something equally fun with your sketches. But you can't just draw and expect it to work, it needs to balanced and placed in perfect perspective for it to work else you'd have a clumsy and very odd piece of art.
First, draw the background scene which your movements will take place in. If the background is to move as well draw the changes supposed to happen. For example, if you're riding down a road and want to sketch the passing scenery draw the trees, buildings, animals, etc. that passes you by.
Second, the person or object you want to move needs to have an objective, where its going, what its doing, etc. A ball rolling along a road after being thrown by a child, a quidditch player flying in the sky amid the bludgers and other players, things like that.
Third, draw these actions. I know it seems impossible but draw the the first and end results of these actions: the ball that was seemingly rolling along has a child finally catch up to it, the quidditch player catches the snitch or does a loop-de-loop, whatever your heart's desire.
And finally, the fourth and last step is the imagine the the movements that you want, the story if you will, lightly tap your sketch with your wand and speak the incantation: Motconscripto . Since I don't own a wand I've asked one of my NEWT students to come in and help. Would you be so kind?" Tanna looked imploringly at her student who blushed at being placed in attention but stood and walked over to her before they were handed a drawn sketch. It was of course her entire current class all of them smiling (or smirking as per usual of one Slytherin male) and one Hufflepuff girl was practically bouncing within the frame. With a smile the young professor hung her now animated sketch (gently of course, wouldn't want to disrupt the teens), on the center wall of her classroom before turning back towards the class.
"Thank you for the demonstration, your note for your class is on the desk. Now you all are gonna attempt the same. It doesn't have to be a horribly complicated image just something simple enough for you to imagine. And for an added incentive, the first person to have made a successfully moving image will be awarded a prize and house points. You may begin!"