Drawing with Flash
We start by combining hand drawing with Flash Drawing to cover a variety of visual design concepts. I start by introducing the concept and students practice drawing allow with me creating basic shapes. Then they apply the concept in a finished drawing. This takes two days. Then we take two days to do the same thing with Flash. The last day of the week is used to catch students that either were absent or are slow. Students that finish early can practice more with Flash or use one of the many animation tools available (see resource page).
In addition to these drawing lessons I expect my students to draw as homework. First quarter they need to complete 5 rough sketches per week based on a theme (example: things in the kitchen). Second quarter they need to complete one rough sketch and one detailed/shaded sketch per week based on a theme. These are turned in every Friday. They pick their top 3-5 sketches to include in their portfolio. They may use one drawing from the computer. I do this because most Animation colleges require a hand drawn portfolio and most professionals have encourage me to require this.
Online Resources
In addition to these drawing lessons I expect my students to draw as homework. First quarter they need to complete 5 rough sketches per week based on a theme (example: things in the kitchen). Second quarter they need to complete one rough sketch and one detailed/shaded sketch per week based on a theme. These are turned in every Friday. They pick their top 3-5 sketches to include in their portfolio. They may use one drawing from the computer. I do this because most Animation colleges require a hand drawn portfolio and most professionals have encourage me to require this.
Online Resources
Elements of Art
In this lesson we will discuss some of the elements of art and then create them using Flash. We will end of up a few different layers and learn how to work with Flash.
Three Layers: Line | Shapes | Forms
Three Layers: Line | Shapes | Forms
Illusion of 3D
Sphere Symbol: (3:30) This lesson will introduce you to grouping and working with symbols.
Cylinder Symbol: (4:00) This lesson will show you how to create the cylinder symbol.
Cube with Perspective: (3:50) This lesson will show you how to create a cube that uses 2 point perspective.
Layers: (4:15) This lesson will show you how to manage the layers.
Special Effects (3:00) This lesson will show you how to use the brightness effect and blur filter.
Cylinder Symbol: (4:00) This lesson will show you how to create the cylinder symbol.
Cube with Perspective: (3:50) This lesson will show you how to create a cube that uses 2 point perspective.
Layers: (4:15) This lesson will show you how to manage the layers.
Special Effects (3:00) This lesson will show you how to use the brightness effect and blur filter.
Tracing
This unit takes one or two periods. Students will learn how to convert their own art work or photographs into customized art work ready to animate. ExampleStart by using one of the image below. Then scan or photograph one of your own images.If you finish before the other students, practice this technique with another image for extra credit.
To earn full credit for this assignment you will need to turn in at least two .jpg or .gif traced images.
To earn full credit for this assignment you will need to turn in at least two .jpg or .gif traced images.
Drawing with Shapes
Many artist start the drawing process by breaking down their subject into basic shapes. These lessons will show you how you can take advantage of the shape tools in Flash when taking this approach.
- Start with basic shapes and bend them- 2:57 In this lesson you will learn how start with basic shapes and then bend them into place.
- Use shapes to cut out - 1:14 In this lesson you will learn how to cut out parts using basic shapes and a trick to using the oval tool.
- Copy and Paste in Place - 3:09 In this lesson you will learn how to use the transform tool and "paste in place".
- Ctrl + Click and Drag - 1:58 In this lesson you will learn how to break apart a line by Ctrl clicking on a line.
- Working with symbols - 2:42 If you plan to animate your drawings you will need to learn to convert your art to symbols and continue to work with them.
Perspective
This is a two week unit. One week for each perspective. This unit lays the ground work for Flash. I have a great set of posters that illustrate these techniques.
- Week One: 1 Point Perspective (12;14)
- 1 Point Flash Template (fla) (right click and save target as...)
- Hand Drawn Example
- Flash Drawn Example
- Lesson
- How to save a Flash File as a .gif File (1:34)
- Week Two: 2 Point Perspective (16:54)
- 2 Point Flash Template (fla) (right click and save target as...)
- Flash Drawn Example
- Lesson