During the first class, Ms. Zevallos tests the young artists' ability, and finds whether they are beginner, intermediate, or advanced. They then learn and practice basic shapes — sphere, block, cylinder, and cone. Everything is made up of these basic shapes, and learning to make them look three-dimensional is key to realistic drawing and painting.
The young artists create artwork based on pictures in binders organized by skill level required. The students use "training wheels" at first, tracing and transferring the image until freehand drawing skills naturally arise from the regular act of tracing.
Ms. Zevallos alters what the class does based on the abilities of the young artists. They are moving toward producing professional-level realistic drawings and paintings to be framed and on walls.