Product Description

Video Game Art Project | Middle School Art Sub Plan & Drawing Worksheets

 

This Video Game Art Project is a high-interest middle school art sub plan, drawing lesson, and early finisher activity in which students design an original video game character. Students choose from five game genres, plan a color harmony, mix and match facial features and accessories, and create a completely original design instead of copying an existing character.

 

Students will love the video game theme, while teachers will appreciate how flexible and easy this lesson is to use. The resource includes 10 printable art worksheets and a 25-slide teacher slideshow, but it can also be taught without the slideshow, making it ideal for emergency sub plans, independent work, or a one-to-three-day art project.

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

• 5 character planning worksheets

• 5 large character drawing templates

• 25-slide teacher slideshow

• Five video game genre choices

• Color theory review

• Shape language instruction

• Character personality planning

• Mix-and-match facial features

• Hairstyles, accessories, and power-up icons

• Drawing demonstrations

• Finished examples

• Student quality checklist

 

FIVE CHARACTER OPTIONS:

 

• Retro

• Fantasy

• Futuristic

• Adventure

• Spooky

 

Each character option includes:

 

• A student-friendly genre introduction

• A color harmony plan

• A personality checklist

• A mix-and-match parts menu

• Hairstyle, eye, mouth, and accessory choices

• Genre-inspired power-up icons

• A large character template

• Clear drawing and coloring directions

 

HOW THIS LESSON WORKS:

 

Students begin by choosing a video game genre and planning their character’s personality, mood, and color scheme. They then select and combine facial features, hairstyles, accessories, and themed power-up icons to build a one-of-a-kind character.

 

The planning pages give students enough structure to work independently while still leaving plenty of room for imagination. Because every student makes different choices, the finished characters are unique, creative, and display-worthy.

 

FLEXIBLE FOR DIFFERENT CLASSROOM NEEDS:

 

This lesson can take one to three class periods depending on student age, ability level, and the amount of detail required.

 

For a shorter activity, students can complete one planning page and one character worksheet.

 

To extend the project, students can:

 

• Add more detailed clothing and accessories

• Create a background or game environment

• Develop a character name and backstory

• Design additional power-up icons

• Transfer the finished character to larger drawing paper

• Outline the design with a fine-tip black marker

• Add colored pencil, marker, or mixed-media details

 

PERFECT FOR:

 

• Middle school and introductory high school art

• Emergency art sub plans

• Early finisher activities

• One-to-three-day drawing projects

• Character design lessons

• Color theory practice

• Independent art activities

• End-of-year or enrichment projects

• Technology, STEM, game design, or digital media classes

SKILLS STUDENTS PRACTICE:

 

• Character design

• Creative decision-making

• Color harmony

• Shape language

• Facial expression

• Line and shape

• Visual storytelling

• Mood and personality

• Original thinking

• Drawing craftsmanship

WHY TEACHERS WILL LOVE IT:

• High-interest video game theme

• Encourages original thinking instead of copying

• Works with or without the slideshow

• Easy to leave for a substitute teacher

• Requires only basic classroom supplies

• Includes five different character choices

• Reinforces color theory in a creative way

• Produces unique, display-worthy artwork

• Gives students structure without limiting creativity

 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

 

• Pencil

• Eraser

• Colored pencils, markers, or crayons

• Optional fine-tip black marker

• Optional larger drawing paper

 

GRADE LEVELS:

 

Recommended for grades 6–12.

 

This resource works especially well for middle school art, introductory high school art, visual arts, drawing, graphic design, game design, technology, STEM, and digital media classes.

 

Students do more than draw a video game character—they design one. By making intentional choices about shape, color, expression, personality, and accessories, students learn how artists communicate ideas through visual design while creating artwork they are excited to share.

All of my lessons can be shared with your students through Google Classroom or any digital platform and are formatted to work for distance learning or in the classroom. They are designed to save you time and help your students access the tutorials, presentations, videos, or worksheets as easily as possible. You can find more ready-to-go, easy-to-follow, time-saving art lessons in my RESOURCE SHOP.

 

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