There are ten lessons included on the retail version of Art Academy. At a Nintendo event, I was able to go through one of them on a DSi XL. As you'll see in the video after the break, Art Academy breaks down the process of drawing a tree into five "simple" steps.
What isn't evident in the video is how natural these directions feel. For example, the in-game tutor, Vince, tells you to draw your basic sketch from the ground up. Why? Because that's how trees and branches grow naturally in the environment. By mimicking his example, and listening to his advice, it becomes really easy to understand these basic concepts. Art Academy also goes through the steps of showing you what tools you'll need to use: whether it be a pencil, chalk, paint, etc.
While my limited time with Art Academy was very informative, I do have one gripe with the product: there's no way to export your created images off the DS system. Instead of looking at the tree I drew, you'll have to make do with the one in this video. But trust me, mine looked just as good.
I know the holiday season is a busy time for big-name games, but let’s not forget about Art Academy! The official teaser site is now up and running, and not a moment too soon. The game is due out on October 25th, which isn’t all that far off!
Format: Nintendo DS™
Launch Date: 10/25/10
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Game Type: Art Training
Players: 1
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Headstrong Games
Website: www.nintendo.com
Game information last updated on September 29, 2010
Turn Nintendo DS into a Canvas of Creativity
Anyone who has ever wanted to learn how to draw or paint can now do both, thanks to Art Academy, the new art training software for the [...]
A portion of a Nintendo Life review…
Those with only a casual interest in art might not find much appeal to the lessons, but for those who are looking for something a bit more than a new drawing tool with the DS, Art Academy comes out on top.
Nintendo is bundling its two DSiWare Art Academy apps, developed by Headstrong Games (yes, that Headstrong Games) into a single cartridge, for budding artists who appreciate beautiful objects like DS cartridges. Art Academy features all the lessons from both downloadable releases, new "Mini Lessons" and 80 selectable "motifs" (reference pictures). It'll be in stores October 25 for $20.
Nintendo announced this with the above picture, drawn in-game by Nintendo PR coordinator Krysta Yang. A recent ad for the European release shows more of what the app can do. Or, more accurately, what can be done with the app by someone who can actually draw. Luckily, it's designed to teach people to draw!
