Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to appreciate and create anime-style art, understand the basic elements of anime, and apply their knowledge in creating their own anime-inspired artwork.

Materials and Prep

• Pencil
• Eraser
• Blank paper
• Colored pencils or markers (optional)
• Access to anime artwork or anime shows/movies

No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.

Activities

• Activity 1: Anime Art Appreciation - Look at various examples of anime artwork or watch anime shows/movies. Discuss the unique characteristics of anime art such as big eyes, exaggerated expressions, and vibrant colors.
• Activity 2: Anime Character Design - Guide the student in creating their own anime character. Start with a basic outline and then add details such as facial features, hairstyle, clothing, and accessories.
• Activity 3: Coloring and Shading - If desired, the student can use colored pencils or markers to add color to their anime character. Encourage them to experiment with shading techniques to add depth and dimension to their artwork.
• Activity 4: Anime Storytelling - Have the student create a short story or scene featuring their anime character. They can draw a sequence of panels or a single illustration to depict the story.

Talking Points

• What is anime? Anime is a style of animation that originated in Japan. It is known for its distinctive art style, often characterized by colorful visuals, fantastical themes, and exaggerated features.
• Characteristics of anime art - Anime art often features large, expressive eyes, unique hairstyles, and exaggerated facial expressions. The use of vibrant colors and attention to detail are also common in anime.
• Creating an anime character - When designing an anime character, it's important to think about their personality and story. Consider their facial features, hairstyle, clothing, and accessories to make them visually interesting and reflective of their character traits.
• Coloring and shading - Coloring anime artwork can bring it to life. Experiment with different color combinations and shading techniques to add depth and dimension. Light source and shadows can be used to create a more realistic effect.
• Storytelling in anime - Anime often tells engaging stories with compelling characters. Think about the emotions and actions you want to convey in your artwork to create a story or scene that captures the viewer's attention.