Hello, my name is Brad. I’m a children’s book illustrator. (Learn more about me and my professional career at this link: About Brad Smith.) With a deep understanding of fundamental drawing techniques—ranging from human anatomy, caricatures, and cartoons to color theory, nature studies, and digital tools like Procreate—I’m excited to offer personalized drawing instruction tailored for young artists.
Why Sketch Force?
The name speaks to the creative energy we foster! My goal is to equip your child with the foundational principles of drawing that will boost their confidence and encourage their artistic growth. As a young artist, I was fortunate to have a mentor who guided me and answered my many questions as I improved. I want to offer your child that same supportive mentorship I valued, filling in gaps that many promising artists experience.
A Unique, One-on-One Experience
Each lesson is personalized to meet your child at their current skill level. To begin, I’ll assign a few exercises to assess your child’s current skill level, help me get to know them better, and figure out the best starting point for their lessons.
Understanding the rules and foundational drawing skills is crucial. I was always told, “You need to understand the rules before you can bend or break the rules.”—a lesson I’ve carried with me throughout my career, and one I will impart to your child.
Join Sketch Force today, and let’s inspire your child to develop their full artistic potential!
One-On-One Drawing Classes
My Goal for Each Student
My goal is to work one-on-one with your child, meeting them exactly where they are in their artistic journey. For beginners, I focus on teaching the importance of observation—drawing what they truly see, rather than relying on memory or assumptions. Art is 80% observation and 20% technique. While platforms like YouTube may teach how to draw specific objects like a cupcake or a cartoon penguin, I aim to equip my students with the ability to see beyond that—learning to break down any object into shapes and, in time, confidently draw whatever they observe. It all starts with the power of observation and understanding how to see the world differently!
Digital vs. Traditional
When I first learned to draw, we didn’t have digital tools at our fingertips. I worked my way through countless sheets of paper, pencils, erasers, and crayons. With that in mind, what’s the best way to learn today?
I strongly recommend starting with pencil or pen and paper over digital tools. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a different era, but here’s why:
- Skills learned traditionally can easily be applied to digital formats later on.
- A blank sheet of paper often feels more challenging—and rewarding—than a blank Photoshop or Procreate document. It builds confidence.
- There’s something uniquely satisfying about the tactile experience of pencil or pen on paper.
- Even today, traditional drawings, illustrations, and paintings often command more attention and value than digital art. With AI becoming more prevalent, the authenticity of hand-drawn art is increasingly appreciated.
Drawing Supplies Needed
The supplies needed will depend on what I’ll be teaching your child. If we’re starting with the basics (which I highly recommend), the following list is foundational—simple, but essential:
- Pencil
- Pen (though we’ll begin with pencils, I’ll increasingly encourage using a pen to build confidence)
- Sketchbook
- Eraser
- Pencil sharpener
Click here for a list of Drawing Supplies I created to get ready for the class!
(Note: When you purchase through this link, Amazon provides me with a small percentage at no extra cost to you.)
As your child progresses or if you’re looking to focus on specific areas, additional materials may be needed.
Pricing (One-On-One)
$60 per class. Classes are on going and meet once a week.
Going on a trip, sick or need to cancel a session? Please let me know 3 days in advance or you will be charged the full amount for the session.