Dr. Leigh Drake shares how a middle school digital art project gives students room to experiment, revise, and develop their ideas.

Dr. Leigh Drake

In this project, I challenged students to develop technical skills, experiment with new tools, and express themselves creatively through a digital medium.

I began the project with a conversation about the evolving landscape of art in the digital age. Students discussed traditional versus digital art, considering how artists use digital tools to create everything from illustrations to animations, concept art, and graphic design. We explored examples of professional digital work, from editorial illustrations to video game concept art, to give students inspiration and a sense of whatʼs possible. The goal was to show students how digital tools can extend their imaginations while giving them skills they can use beyond the classroom.

I introduced students to the Procreate app on the iPad, beginning with essential tools such as brushes, layers, and blending techniques. Before diving into final pieces, they practiced sketching digitally, experimenting with different brushes, textures, and color palettes. Tutorials and guided exercises helped students gain confidence navigating the app, allowing them to explore effects such as layering, masking, and digital shading. At this stage, I encouraged students to test ideas without worrying about making irreversible mistakes—a key advantage of digital media.

Once they were comfortable with the platform, students began planning their digital artwork. They were encouraged to select a theme or subject that was personally meaningful, such as creating a self-portrait, illustrating a scene from a favorite story, or designing an original character.

Students sketched initial concepts digitally and shared their work with me and their peers for feedback. Using Procreate’s versatile tools, they experimented with color harmony, texture, and composition to bring their visions to life. The digital medium allowed them to revise effortlessly, layering ideas and adjusting their designs in real time.

In the final phase, I asked students to refine their digital artworks for sharing or printing. Students explored advanced techniques for creating depth through perspective, adding highlights and shadows, and enhancing mood and atmosphere.

I also showed students how to export high-resolution files for digital portfolios, school displays, or online galleries. This process gave students a sense of accomplishment, and they were proud to have a digital artwork to add to their portfolios.

Creating digital art is more than just learning a software program—it gives students a chance to build confidence while working in a medium that allows them to experiment and revise. Students gained the freedom to explore visual storytelling in new ways. They left with artwork that showcased their growth and skills they can continue to develop with digital media.

Dr. Leigh Drake is a visual arts teacher at Old Donation School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, a contributing editor for SchoolArts, and co-editor of the October 2026 issue of SchoolArts. leigh.drake@vbschools.com

Creating in a World of Digital Illustration