Anime Art Lessons and Curriculum for Homeschool Elementary Cartoon Animation Keroro

Homeschool Elementary Art: How to draw Cartoon Animation

Allow your kids to watch cartoons on tv with sketch book. Here is our favorite anime character Keroro. The kids study the drawing style and copy it. Try different cartoons for different techniques.

Keroro Anime Cartoon Characters How to draw lesson
Homeschool Art Lesson with Anime Cartoon Drawing and Keroro.

If your kids are like mine they love to watch cartoons. My kids love the obscure cartoons found on Netflix. One of their favorites (which is questionable if you pay close attention) is the Japanese Anime cartoon, Sergeant Frog or Keroro. For Wikipedia Description Click Here


He says lots of wacky stuff. Luckily, most of it is difficult to understand, and it rarely makes sense. I'm not advocating watching the program, but I am advocating allowing them to watch cartoons while working on an ART LESSON.


Keroro or Sgt. Frog
Sgt. Frog a.k.a Keroro

When I was a kid, I wanted to become a SPECIAL EFFECTS ARTIST.  My younger cousin wanted to become a VIDEO GAME DESIGNER both of us were shot down by parents, teachers, and principals. Who said things like, "Do you know how many people want to be that and how many people actually are?" or my favorite from my high school principal, "Well.. they told Johnny Cougar he'd never make it and he did, but still I don't think you should drop Band for more Art classes." Say what?



It was the last semester of my Senior Year. Really? Band vs. Art? Maybe Math or Science but Band? I assure you, Sir, I won't be studying band in college. I'm horrible at it, I hate it, and people laugh when I play my Bassoon, Tenor Sax, Gigantic Cymbals, and Bass Guitar. I'm done. I'm not so bad at ART and people seem to like it. After much pomp and circumstance, I was allowed to transfer. I'd been in band since the seventh grade. It had used up all my electives for the arts. I knew I had no chance of being any kind of artist without some experience.



So, I went to college and studied art, and I hated it. Hated my first Basic Art class. It seemed I didn't have the talent he was looking for in a graphic artist. Did I say anything about graphic art? No was his response, but he felt quite certain I'd need graphic art to get a "real job".  I didn't want a "real job", so I dropped Art and moved to Theatrical Design. Loved it!

Then one day, I was pulled aside by a professor. "I think you have a lot of talent. I'm concerned you're in the wrong field. Have you considered architecture? If you want to make a good living you'd have a better chance over there." But, I didn't want to study architecture. I'm terrible in math- I thought. I mean, I must be right? I'm a Pisces, a girl, and I love ARTSY things. I took ninth grade algebra and stopped there, because I needed more room for electives for BAND and ART.



Yeah, so I mentioned this little conversation to my parents- Big mistake.

Oh well, do you know how difficult it is to get accepted into the Architecture program?

I didn't think I had a chance, so I applied. Ahem, and that was that. I did have a conversation with the Dean of the College of Fine Arts. He felt architecture would also help me with my set/stage/special effects goal, and then I would have something to fall back on in case I ever needed a "real job". Poo.




Ever since, I've worked with kids. Here and there I did a little Architecture related work when I needed something to fall back on (wink, wink), but once I graduated I never worked in special effects or theatre- unless you count backdrops, props, face paint, and costumes for various children's skits and plays. Don't be sad for me, I love doing this now, and I can't imagine working the long hours required to be a Special Effects Artist. So, for me my dream of working on Sesame Street died the day I graduated from college, but only because I let it...

Clearly, I digress.


Call of Duty Black Ops

Here's why- my kid's uncle is a VIDEO GAME DESIGNER (Think Call of Duty) and his wife has done many fun, artsy things including a gig with DISNEY. So, will any of the above poo-poos work on my kids? I think not. For this reason, I encourage them to play video games and watch cartoons.


www.bunsella.com 
Mayhem grabs her sketch book and markers and copies her favorite characters. She wants to be an artist when she grows up. Although, I believe art can be taught and hidden talents discovered as you age, I'm certain many are born to be Artists just like some are born to be Singers or Actors.

Mayhem is an Artist, and I can't wait to see what she becomes in the future.

Don't kill a dream or a talent because it didn't happen for you, because you don't know anyone it happened to, or you think those kinds of things can't happen to "real people" in "real life".  Encourage talent and let your children guide the way to your open mind. Of course, some people want a dream they don't have the ability to achieve, and I hate it when a young adult appears on one of those talent shows and says, "My Mom says I have a special talent."

Umm, yay Mom for being supportive, nay Mom for not being honest.

I know my parents didn't want to see me get hurt or to fail, but mostly my mother didn't want me to move away to a big city where she couldn't protect me or see me on a regular basis. And that's okay, because one day I realized I didn't want to move that far away from home.

Remember, anything is possible if you set your mind to it. I'm the proof, I only took ninth grade algebra in high school, and I have a degree in architecture. Once you set your mind to something you can persevere and beat the odds. You can do it! 

So, I hope you've enjoyed these little drawings of anime from my six year old. I hope you encourage your children to grab a sketchbook and draw their favorite characters while you set back and enjoy the journey. Keep encouraging that 'Can-do' attitude.

And keep watching my Little Miss Mayhem; I believe she is going to accomplish greatness (whether she decides to be an artist or not). What have you done that no one (including yourself) thought possible?

So, Jake? Nope, he doesn't like to draw cartoons either. I suspect one day he will enjoy computer animated design like his Uncle, but for now he does like to play video games.  ;-)

Recommended Reading:

How to Draw Funny Cartoons

How to Draw: Cartoon Characters FREE APP

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Lora is a homeschooling mom, writer, creator of Kids Creative Chaos, and Director of the Play Connection.