With an experienced university & k-12 art-design educator!
Open to Ages*10 and up!
*And younger for highly motivated art students
harvest vineyard church
320 S. 17th St - Ames, IA 50010
Mondays/Wednesdays
4pm, 5pm,
Drawing Characters
Building Character
CHARACTER ART CLASS is a bi-weekly art class teaching students how to think and grow as artists and people through the discipline of character art and storytelling, anchored in strong fundamentals, creative and critical thinking, and personal character development.
In a world accelerating toward a new A.I. reality affecting how human society and industry creates art, learning creative disciplines fosters not just career readiness, but personal growth through critical thinking, empathy, resilience, and authentic self-expression.
🎨 College-level teaching background instructor
🧠 Empowers focus, imagination, & visual literacy
🧠 Great for Beginner & Experienced Young Artist
Why Parents Love it!
What Students Learn
🎨 Art Fundamentals: Digital & traditional
🧠 Critical / creative thinking + character growth
🧠 Pencil, colored pencils, markers, inking, D-paint
Testimonials
Daniel was responsible for the Character Design, Photoshop, Fundamentals of Design, Creative Thinking, and Drawing classes.
He created a friendly and harmonious environment in the CGD dept. at Chungkang College of Cultural Industries.
Yim D.J.
Prof. of Computer Graphic Design
Daniel taught one of my art classes and sparked a life-long interest. I have now been drawing seriously for seven years. I regard him as one of the best teachers I've ever had.
Daniel is funny, explains things very well and in unforgettable ways, and cares about his students.
Kaelen W.
Art Student
I observed that Daniel was kind, professional, knowledgeable and a hard worker. He was good at making the art class curriculum fit and match the students he taught.
He was always receptive to my ideas as an administrator and willing to try a new approach.
Wyman M.
Teacher & School Administrator
Hi Daniel! I am admitted in the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
Since I am going to the U.S., it reminded me of you.
Thanks for the past two years of teaching me!
Dain L.
Art Student
Methods are Many.
Principles are Few.
"The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble."
- RALPH WALDO EMERSON, ESSAYIST AND POET
Building Character By
Drawing Characters.
CORE PILLARS
1. aRT fUNDAMENTALS
2. CREATIVE & CRITICAL THINKING
3. CHARACTER & PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
4. CHARACTER ART & STORYTELLING FOCUS
CHARACTER ART CLASS explores art through the lens of character art & design and visual storytelling illustration.
DRAWING FOUNDATIONS
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Contour, gesture, shape simplification
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Line control & value shading
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Emulating reference (master studies, cartoons, photos)
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Media: Pencil, Pen/Ink, Marker
CHARACTERDESIGN BASICS
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Silhouettes & body types
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Facial proportions & expression
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Costuming, props, and personality
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Turnarounds & model sheets
VISUAL STORYTELLING
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Framing, composition, camera angles
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Acting & emotion in scenes
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Visual clarity in narrative sequences
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Mini comic strip or story moment illustration
TEACHING + MENTORSHIP
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Reflective sketchbook journaling
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Guided self-learning and exploration
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Community art share and critiques
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Guided “mentor moments” for growth talks
About Your Instructor
You’ll be learning from an experienced art educator and working artist who has taught students of all ages—from young beginners to aspiring professionals.
With over 20 years of teaching experience in private schools, online tutoring, college classrooms, and professional training programs, your instructor brings both technical skill and creative insight to every lesson.
He holds a BFA in Media Arts and Animation and has worked in the art and design field since the mid-1990s, blending traditional drawing techniques with modern digital tools.
His passion? Helping students grow confident in their skills, develop original characters, and discover the joy of seeing their ideas come to life on the page.
"I started drawing characters at age 10 and never stopped. Now I help others do what I always loved—see something in their mind and bring it to life through art."
~ EDUCATOR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS ~
ART & EFL TEACHER (6-12)
LBOT Christian School, South Korea
ART & EFL TEACHER (K-12)
Kara Christian School, South Korea
3D STUDIO MAX ASST. INSTRUCTOR
3DTI - 3D Training Institute, USA
PROFESSOR OF COMPUTER GRAPHIC DESIGN
Chungkang College of Cultural Industries, South Korea
EFL CONVERSATION INSTRUCTOR
Hanshin University, South Korea
CRIMINOLOGY 101 - EFL INSTRUCTOR
Korea National Police University, South Korea
ART TEACHER (K-12)
Mount Pleasant Christian School, USA
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS
Media Arts & Animation, 2002
The Illinois Institute of Art - Schaumburg
