The Final Workshop of the Challenge!

Today the final workshop took place. 

Ami arrived and we set up the table and equipment ready for the arrival of the first student which was Melissa.

Here's how it went with Melissa

First I ran her through all the tools that she would need to use on Photoshop. Then I showed her from my notebook my own *how to remember photoshop drawings*. I requested that she copied them down too so it would help her. Then she started to colour her character using photoshop with me overseeing. She did need help occasionally from me which I gave but other than that she was really good. Melissa grasped the use of the tools quickly.

Next up was Callum

Callum arrived about half an hour later than Melissa, as planned. This worked really well and the timing was just about right. I repeated the steps above with Callum. Callum didn't need that much tuition with using the  basic photoshop tools as he had previous experience. However, there were still things he didn't know how to do so I was able to demonstrate and guide him. Callum did really well.

Amber

The last student should have been Amber, my sister, but instead of carrying out this final step on the same day with Amber, I decided to make other use of my time with having Ami (my mentor) here to plan the final stages of the challenge.  Amber will do this last part under my leadership on another day.

Final Workshop Plan

Now the individual sessions are complete I have to plan for the final workshop for my students to finish their characters. This is going to be yet another workshop where all the students are here together but having learned from workshop 1 I have a plan to make it more efficient. This time around although the plan is similar to Workshop 1, I am going to ask my students to arrive at different times so that I can still focus on one of them before the next one is ready. Ami will be in attendance to be my assistant again!

Workshop Plan

Equipment

• Computer (with Photoshop)
• Colour schemes
• Printer (for scanning and printing)
• The outlined drawings

Itinerary

• Demonstrate how to use Photoshop

• Scan in the drawings

• Help 1 child at a time to complete and colour their character

• Save the finished work then send them to each child

Planning ahead

There are of course many things that could go wrong in the workshop. Here are some potential problems and how I might deal with them should they arise.

Equipment

There is always potential for computer equipment to breakdown. Hardware, Software, Internet issues. Also, one of the children could get frustrated with their drawing, they might get upset that it didn’t go to plan or they may just get a bit bored and become disruptive.      

      

If such happens here are some ways to solve it:

• Get my brother to fix the computer

• Use an alternative computer (I have the use of my dad's mac which has Photoshop)

• Help the kids colour and fix what they don’t like

• Try keeping them engaged in the workshop and keep it nice and fun

• Keep them doing something interesting

Forgetting

I may forget what to say or what to do next, I may stutter and lose what I am saying or I could just get distracted by something and get off subject

      

If I do I can always:

• Look at my workshop plan

• apologize and try again

• ask Ami what I should do next

• I can move on to something else then come back to it later

One to One Session with Callum

Another one to one session today. This time with Callum and it was his turn to learn from me how to outline his drawing in pen. As with Melissa, I sent him home with homework to colour scheme his character. 

Callum's character is Hiro Katsu meaning generous Victory. His alter ego is Leek Boy! He has green hair and is an assassin. 

Here's what I thought about the outcome of this particular session:

Positives

Callum seemed to enjoy it. He did his best on the task he was given and followed my instructions to the best of his abilities. Again I could focus on one person so it was easier. He wasn't as distracted and was able to pay more attention to what I was saying and I was able to pay more attention to my student.

Negatives

He didn't always listen and was still sometimes distracted and maybe that was because the session went on too long for him.

Arts Leadership Plan

I have three students confirmed to attend my workshop so I've been working on a project plan so that it will run smoothly. The idea is that I show them now to create their very own Manga character.

Workshop Plan

Equipment

• Camera
• Computer (with Photoshop)
• Comics
• Example manga's and anime's to help students with ideas
• Pencils, pens, erasers
• Rulers
• Paper
• Printer (for scanning and printing)
• Sharpie Markers

Itinerary

• Introduction. Start workshop by sitting down and talking through what I have been doing and learning during the comic making process.

• Give students a copy of my comic and hand out some of my manga and anime drawings to help give them inspiration.

• Talk about inspiration from the moment I thought up the characters and show them my portfolio.

• Demonstrate some techniques on how to draw characters.

• Ask them to make a mind map and create/draw a character of their own.

• When finished demonstrate how to trace over them in a nice black pen.

• Demonstrate how to scan them into computer for digital colouring

• Show them Photoshop software and tools and how to use them. Everyone can complete their characters and print out.

• Questions and Answers

• Ask students to complete feedback forms

Planning ahead/Contingency

There are of course many things that could go wrong in the workshop. Here are some potential problems and how I might deal with them should they arise.

Students

In the event that everyone finishes drawing their characters in pencil at the same time here are some activities to do in the meantime.

• Draw kawaii doodles

• Read my manga’s
• Put an anime on
• Listen to some anime intro’s or japanese songs
• Practice drawing your character or try making a new one

Equipment

There is always potential for computer equipment to breakdown. Hardware, Software, Internet issues. Also, one of the children could get frustrated with their drawing, they might get upset that it didn’t go to plan or they may just get a bit bored and become disruptive.      

      

If such happens here are some ways to solve it:

• Get my brother to fix the computer

• Use an alternative computer (I have the use of my dad's mac which has Photoshop)

• Help the kids draw and fix what they don’t like

• Try keeping them engaged in the workshop and keep it nice and fun

• Keep them doing something interesting

Forgetting

I may forget what to say or what to do next, I may stutter and lose what I am saying or I could just get distracted by something and get off subject

      

If I do I can always:

• Look at my workshop plan

• apologize and try again

• ask Ami what I should do next

• I can move on to something else then come back to it later

Arts Leadership Skills - Unit 2

Unit 2 of the Silver Arts Award is "Arts Leadership". I need to come up with a list of leadership skills that I want to develop. So here goes....

• Presenting and speaking to a group
• Listening and being able to respond
• Demonstrating my skills
• Teaching in a fun way
• Being a fun teacher
• Being able to take control of a group situation

I've also come up with a plan to demonstrate my Arts Leadership skills.

I plan to invite people to a workshop to teach and share the skills I have learned during my Arts Award Challenge. I've created an invitation to email to potential students.