Winter Term: Drawn From Words: Teen Illustration Studio

Drawn From Words: A Youth Reading & Illustration Studio

What do you see when you listen to a story?

In Drawn From Words, students will combine reading and art-making as we explore Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me. Each week, a section of the novel will be read aloud while students draw, sketch, and respond to what they imagine.

Students will create their own versions of the characters, places, objects, and scenes from the story while exploring drawing, character development, mixed media, composition, visual storytelling, and symbolism.

The class is designed to encourage imagination and personal interpretation. There is no “right” way to picture a character or scene; everyone will bring something different to the story.

Each student will keep a sketchbook throughout the course, building a collection of drawings, ideas, experiments, and discoveries as the story unfolds. By the end, each sketchbook will become a visual record of the student’s own experience of the story and how their ideas changed as they read.

No previous art experience is required. Just bring your imagination and a love of stories!