Spotlight Artist: Fred Babb

on February 26, 2014



"Fred Babb’s expressive colors, powerful statements and dynamic compositions makes him one of my favorite artists. Unfortunately, Fred died in 2006. I would have like to have met him. He stood for everything I believe art should be; an extension of oneself that is not necessarily taught, but understood. I try to remember this each time I walk into my classroom and face the little individuals that we often clump together as a whole. I try to remember that each child has a story. Each child has an expression. I don’t always maintain this level of thinking. Often I succumb to the pressures of classroom management and parent expectations. At times, I’m a slave to the minutes on the clock, finishing the project, encouraging the kids along.Rushing.Poking.But when I browse through my collection of Fred’s Art (check out his website here), he slows me down. Reminds me of why I’m here. Nudges me to think in broad terms. Tells me to remember the most important thing of all: don’t let yourself be the reason kids abandon art. Be the reason why they embrace it…for life."

Baby Tigger's Valentine

on February 15, 2014
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE... From Tigger ! 

This lesson is always a fun one to do, especially for the lovely holiday. Not only is this little Tigger incredibly cute holding a valentine heart, he also got to provide a simple lesson in building a character with basic shapes. 
  • Students learn how to draw the body form using circles and organic shapes. 
  • Students may color him however you choose. (I personally give choices to my upper student classes; for my lower I would recommend using markers and colored pencils.)


Step 1: Sketch basic shapes / forms
Step 2: Using the "Rainbow Steps" system,
Start from lightest color to darkest ie. yellow to orange,
draw in the details.
Step 3: Draw in final details and shading.

Example drawn in class

Students working this past Valentine's 2014

Artwork by Cheyenne M.
watercolor, marker, colored pencil
Artwork by Rocky W.
colored pencils, markers

Theme of Lesson: Valentine's Day 
Technique Learned: How to Draw a Cartoon Baby Tigger

Peek inside my Studio

on January 19, 2014
Preparing for a week of upcoming lessons... Starting with the watercolor lessons I am giving my private lesson students on Wednesday. We are going all out with watercolor! (My new favorite) 


Quote: Art & Soul

on January 06, 2014
"Art is the essence of our souls. Bringing that out in a child - their heart and soul - is a magical task. What we are doing matters." - JS

Live Long, and Prosper

on January 05, 2014
In a private lesson with a student this past summer, we studied hands and gestures. 
I gave him the choice of a hand position of his choosing and he chose quite a good one. 
The famous Star trek sign meaning "Live long and Prosper." 

 As seen below:



We started by identifying sections of the hand and the proportions of the hand 
on the paper compared to his actual hand. 

Like this:


I like having my students draw the planes of the hands first and then "shave off" the
 excess surfaces and corners to create the smooth roundness of the fingers and palm. 
This is just done by erasing and re-drawing the corners and certain areas.

You can see this method utilized below. 

See the extra faint lines of where I "shaved off" the corners?


I have seen that it is always easier to take away than add on. 
Perhaps my years of working with other materials has influenced this technique, 
but nonetheless, it works!

Sketch of hand by Ethan Martin, age 13


My First Post

on December 16, 2013
Welcome friends, art teachers, students, art lovers, educators, moms and dads, 
guardians, family, and everyone else in this big and beautiful world!



Let's Create some M a g i c...
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