About Digital Art Curriculum

This course offers a holistic, all-rounded approach to learning Procreate. Paying homage to its sister programme, Introduction to Fine Arts, it places equal importance on both technique and art history. Each lesson is set within an art historical context, introducing students to key artists and movements throughout history.

Students will engage with diverse artists and art movements from the modern and contemporary eras, including Vincent van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Hokusai, Paul Klee, Amrita Sher-Gil, Hannah Höch, and others.

The course introduces Procreate’s extensive toolkit in an accessible way. Each lesson is built around a specific feature of the app and paired with an artist or movement, so students learn not just the how, but also the why of creating art.

Module 1: Drawing

This module covers the basics of Procreate. Students will explore the app’s interface while developing their digital drawing skills. Topics include figure drawing inspired by Bill Watterson and Hergé, cross-hatching techniques from Rembrandt, and perspective studies with Vincent van Gogh.

Module 2: Layers

Layers are the foundation of digital art, offering possibilities that go far beyond traditional media. In this module, students will explore digital RISO (a modern take on the popular printmaking method), learn from Eric Carle’s layered illustrations, and experiment with colour blending through layer interactions. We will also study Hokusai’s layered landscapes through the lens of Ukiyo-e art.

Module 3: Colour and Light

This module introduces colour theory and its applications in art. Students will explore the vibrant work of artists such as David Hockney, Wassily Kandinsky, and Henri Matisse. Through practical exercises, they will gain a strong understanding of colour harmony and interaction.

Module 4: Texture

Textures bring life and character to an artwork, in both traditional and digital mediums. Students will study artists like Roy Lichtenstein, known for his textural techniques, and will also learn to create custom Procreate brushes from scratch. The module includes an introduction to food illustration as well.

Module 5: Symmetry

Shifting briefly from fine art to design, this module explores symmetry tools in Procreate and their creative potential. Students will examine symmetry in various forms - from Timurid-era tiles to Chinese dragon dance puppets and mandalas.

Module 6: Mixed Media

The final module encourages students to combine and apply all their skills in creative ways. It introduces mixed media techniques adapted to the Procreate interface, studying the Dada-inspired collages of Hannah Höch and Kurt Schwitters. As a bonus, students will participate in a character design activity inspired by children’s illustrator Carson Ellis.