( Structure ) The idea behind the Linear Workflow is to give you a very basic structure that you can build all of your designs. We have started adding on Support Pages for our Workflows to give you more context as you are going through the Tutorials, Challenges + Workflows. Check for the prompts and growth models to start adapting your learning to your own learning targets.

Our Linear Model is easy to understand for beginners to master the basics, but also flexible enough as you get more advanced.

Once we break down each step into a logical sequence, a lot of the decision making is already done for us which makes it very easy to understand and implement.

Challenges + Workflows are broken down into shorter videos which allows for more problem solving and explanation during each step.

( Pro Series + Learning Targets ) Our main focus this year is to be adding on more open-ended designs and more step by step content that starts from a photo. The main goal is that you get a complete workflow and are able to add in your own subject, style and design.

The focus or learning target will allow you to add in your own subject, style and design to each of our new Pro Series.

Each Tutorial, Challenge or Workflow you complete, allows you to assess tools and procedures so you can start developing your own Workflow.

A lot of our new content will be starting from a photo for our adult learners. The early steps of the workflow will allow you to add your own artistic style.

FOCUS: We are continuing our Tablet Series by focusing in on the Pencil Tool this month. The Pencil Tool is my go to tool for the Tablet. It allows for speed, but also offers a lot more control than the Blob Brush.

Depending on your Tablet there is a lot to figure out on your end. How zoomed in or out do you like? How fast can you draw before you lose control? Can you modify the settings to match what your hand is doing?

GROWTH MODEL: Draw as fast as you can before you get out of control. Play into our Editing Phase with faster application of your lines. See how much overlapping you can tolerate.

FOCUS: We are all about our Tablet Tutorials. We are kicking off with the Blob Brush. One of our most popular tutorials on YouTube is the Hippo. So we want to add on and show you my actual workflow.

When we start with the Blob Brush it is highly important to get the settings correct. Once that is done, all you have to focus on is adding your pressure with the Tablet.

GROWTH MODEL: There are quite a few tutorials that will start from the Photo. I highly recommend starting from the photo and doing your own drawing to see a complete workflow.

FOCUS: We are hitting up some text and effects this month with the Type and Text Effects. Most of our attention will be in the Appearance Panel and Layering multiple effects on top of each other to get professional results.

We are going to go back and forth from using the Type Tool with fonts to creating your own Text using the Pen Tool. Any of the Pen Tool Workflows can be replaced by using a font of your choice and create outlines.

GROWTH MODEL: Control your placement of Anchor Points when using the Pen Tool. Stay in the Appearance Panel to see how many Effects you can add on the the Text Logos.

FOCUS: A lot of our older content has actually covered the Pen Tool basics. So hopefully you are a master at your Anchor Points and how to apply them.

Our main focus using the Pen Tool is to following along to the same basic principles, but reach a more professional end point with logos and professional mascots.

GROWTH MODEL: I would say we are ready for keyboard shortcuts, but there are so many hacks to this tool that make it a little more user friendly that we will still use our 2-Step Approach.

FOCUS: Our goal is to get you out of the Beginner Basics toward more Advanced Topics. If you have already gone through a few workflows or tutorials and are ready for the next step, I would try out a Challenge. I would try doing 4 Tutorials and then add on a Challenge for the 5th.

These are all going to start in the same way so anyone can follow along. The main Challenge will be in the back end of the Workflow when we start to layer coloring and effects.

GROWTH MODEL: Re-Draw the Sketch and follow along to your own drawing rather than the one provided. Put the artwork in your own style to see if you can follow along from scratch.

FOCUS: We have a lot of our Tutorials that were used in my classroom to teach Advanced Coloring Techniques. They are included so you can self-direct the curriculum after you have your primary Workflow.

These will all start from the Pen Tool, but I would use the Pencil Tool or Blob Brush along with our Tablet Friendly Guides to adapt the Tutorials to your own focus as you are going through the content.

GROWTH MODEL: There are quite a few tutorials that will start from the Photo. I highly recommend starting from the photo and doing your own drawing to see a complete workflow.