Create Your Own Superhero

Lesson Summary

Students will learn the process of creating a superhero by conceptualizing, writing a character profile, and illustrating their own unique hero using the comic book illustration process: penciling, inking, and coloring. They will also create a nemesis for their superhero.

Lesson Objectives

Understand the key elements that make superheroes compelling.
Develop creative storytelling through character development.
Illustrate a superhero using comic book illustration techniques (penciling, inking, and coloring).
Learn basic human anatomy for dynamic superhero poses.

Origins Story: Louis Levon was a graduate student with a degree in chemical engineering. He was young and brilliant with a bright future ahead of him. His dream was to developed household cleaning products that were made of natural ingredients, with no harmful chemicals. He experimented with the properties of lemons and limes to produce a safe disinfectant spray. One day in the lab, he was having lunch and accidentally chugged on some disinfectant formula he was working on. This gave him disinfectant power and super-human abilities. From that day on, he vowed to rid the world of super germs and viruses, like COVID-19.

Lemon-Man

Superhero Name: Lemon-Man
Civilian Name: Louis Levon
Age: 26
Hometown: Yorkshire England
Super Power: He can fly and has super-human strength and speed but his most powerful weapon is sour spray that comes out of his hands. He can disinfect any surface with it. When he squirts his enemies in the face, they are temporarily blinded and cry like a baby.
Weakness: Milk. It destroys his sourness and makes him drowsy.
Personality: Very bitter. He is angry about how unhygienic people are. Comes off as arrogant. Speaks with a British accent.
Enemies: Super-Germs, COVID-19, Super-Villains, Poop

Introduction: What Makes a Superhero?

Discussion Questions:

What makes superheroes like Superman, Iron Man, or Spider-Man interesting?
Who is your favorite superhero and why?
What powers and personality traits make a superhero appealing to audiences?
Have you ever thought about creating your own superhero? What would their name, personality, and powers be?

Materials Needed

Sketchbook
Pencil & Eraser
Black Permanent Markers
Colored Pencils, Markers, or Watercolors

Students will practice drawing the human figure in dynamic poses. They will draw the figure using correct human anatomy and skeletal structure.

Human Anatomy

Before we begin drawing the figure, we will go over some basic human anatomy. They include moving joints and body parts that an artist should be knowledgeable about. We will study anatomy without getting overly concerned with every muscle and bone.

Character Development: Creating Your Superhero

Brainstorming Questions:
- What is your superhero's name?
- What are their superpowers, origin story, and weaknesses?
- What motivates them to be a hero?
- How does their personality shape their decisions?
- What unique costume features represent their powers or background?
Character Profile Example:
- Superhero Name: Lemon-Man
- Civilian Name: Louis Levon
- Superpowers: Flight, superhuman strength, and sour disinfectant spray
- Weakness: Milk (makes him drowsy)
- Personality: Bitter, arrogant but protective of hygiene
- Nemesis: Super-Germs and Poop

Art Process: Steps to Create a Superhero Illustration

Sketch:
- Draw your superhero in a dynamic pose that captures their personality.
- Use gesture drawing to quickly capture the figure's energy.
- Ensure correct center of balance and anatomy for realism.
Write a Profile:
- Describe their superpowers, personality, weaknesses, and origin story.
- Give them a memorable name.
Class Feedback:
- Share your rough draft with a classmate for feedback.
Pencil a Final Illustration:
- Create a large, refined pencil drawing of your superhero.
- Include a well-designed title featuring their name.
Ink:
- Outline your drawing with black permanent markers.
Color:
- Fill in the design using markers, colored pencils, or watercolors.
Create a Nemesis:
- Design a villain with opposing powers, personality, and weaknesses.

Discussion and Reflection

What did you enjoy most about creating your superhero?
How does your superhero reflect your personal ideas or values?
What makes your superhero memorable and unique?
What challenges did you face while drawing or developing your character?

Terminology

Gesture Drawing: A quick sketch that captures the movement or energy of a pose.
Center of Balance: The point where gravity pulls down on the human body the strongest.
Pose: A specific way of standing or sitting to convey expression or emotion in art.

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