I offer Rudimentary Art Techniques Studio (RATS) as after-school enrichment, Spring Break or Summer Camps for kids in two age groups, RATS I for ages 5 to 7, and RATS II for ages 8 to 10. Children qualify if they seriously wish to learn how to draw and mix colors and paint, and tell stories. Avid doodlers and dabblers are welcome.

RATS I: for kids ages 5 to 7

Children in RATS I will not only explore their imaginations as they make a drawing grow on the page, they will also learn the basics of handling and cleaning their brushes. Watercolor crayons and pencils are great tools for this group, as well as paint markers and tempera paint.

Individual projects might be life-size self portraits, invent your own dinosaur, space projects (going to the Moon or Mars), animal drawing, pets, machines, etc.

Also kids will enjoy group projects – this age group loves to do things together. Group projects I have led in the past are table caves, building a volcano with lava pizza, mural, coral reef with all the creatures that live on it, forest, neighborhood, treehouse. (We use a lot of cardboard!) Group projects take about a week to complete – they are more for a 5-day camp.

One-and-a-half to 2 hours work well for this age group, provided they have about 15 to 30 minutes in the middle for snacks and physical playtime (going outside, playing tag, throwing and kicking a ball around, etc).

RATS II: for kids ages 8 to 10

Kids in RATS II will learn how to master the subjects, materials, and techniques mentioned on the adult page, with exercises tailored to their age group. These courses can also include digital instruction on the basics of animation and character-building.

Kids of these ages are typically full of their own stories, and they already have a favorite way of doodling or a favorite character they draw repetitively. I encourage the creative development of these tendencies, and also offer ways to get unstuck in places they feel uncertain of their abilities.

One-and-a-half to 2 hours generally tend to work well with this group, with a 15 minute break for snacks and stretching in the middle.

Private individual and group sessions are also available.

Contact me if you are an interested parent, or an educational facility that would like to host RATS. Another adult should be present to help supervise (usually the host location manages this.) Maximum enrollment is 8 kids; minimum is 4. Times and pricing would need to be arranged with the host location.