Digital Drawing Art
Aimed at older adults to become comfortable with using technology while exploring their creative and artistic visions.
The development of artistic and visual skills can be an enormously rewarding process for people of any age and ability. This class offers a great opportunity not only to sharpen your observational and drawing skills, but also to learn new techniques using digital tools and technology to foster creative thinking and art-making. In this class, you will enjoy learning and creating digital drawing compositions while exploring lines, gestures, shadow, and light through the tools available in the SketchBook app.
Join us for this four-part workshop!
Commitment: Please note that this is a progressive course, and each session builds on the skills learned in the previous one. To get the most out of the class, we ask participants to commit to attending all four sessions, as they will work toward creating a final digital art project in the last class.
Workshop Schedule
May 10, 3:15–4:45 PM - Session 1
Introduction: Getting acquainted with the SketchBook app and learning how to edit a photograph.
In this session, we’ll start by familiarizing participants with the SketchBook app interface. We’ll cover the basics of photo editing, including tools for cropping, adjusting brightness/contrast, and applying simple filters to enhance your images.
May 17, 3:15–4:45 PM - Session 2
How to use the different tools in the SketchBook app
This session will focus on the various features and tools available in the SketchBook app. Participants will learn how to use brushes, layers, and other digital tools to bring their artistic visions to life. Emphasis will be placed on getting comfortable with the app’s layout and features.
May 31, 3:15–4:45 PM - Session 3
How to digitally sketch using SketchBook
In this session, participants will learn the basics of digital sketching using the SketchBook app’s brush tools and layers. We’ll explore different sketching techniques and demonstrate how to refine sketches and add depth to your designs.
June 7, 3:15–4:45 PM - Session 4
Working on the final project: Create a digital sketch
In the final session, participants will apply everything they’ve learned to create their own digital art project. Each participant will work on a final digital sketch using the SketchBook app, with guidance provided to help refine and complete their artwork.
Hildos Abla is a Lebanese-Armenian multidisciplinary artist and body image activist who lived in Beirut during the 15 years of the Lebanese Civil War. Her interest in art began at an early age, and in 1996, she graduated with a degree in Art Studies from the Lebanese American University. In 2009, she received her Master’s Degree in Marketing and Communication.
Since 1996, she has worked in visual and digital arts. In 2011, she was selected to participate in the exclusive Milton Glaser program (the creator of the "I Love NY" logo) at the School of Visual Arts in NYC.
Her 2013 TED Talk reinforced that her art is a means of inclusion, healing, sharing ideas, and self-growth, as well as addressing social issues.
In 2013, she moved to NYC and created the comic strip Hildos in the City as a way to share her life experiences. She is currently teaching Visual and Digital Art in the NYC public school system. Her work has been shown in both Beirut and NYC.
