The iPad version of “Your Hand Drawing” application software (hereinafter referred to as “Your Hand Drawing App”) developed by the Open University of China (OUC) was formally launched recently at Apple’s app store. From January 2015 on, students of the OUC and the general public will be able to download this professional graphics software for free via their personal app store account and use it to practice painting and drawing.
“Your Hand Drawing App” is a practical drawing app for art teaching and practice. The app provides six painting styles, including pencil, pen, oil painting, watercolor, markers, and ink; supports inserting photos; and supports posting creations to social media, such as WeChat, microblogs, etc. You can search “Your Hand Drawing App” in the app store or scan the following QR code to install the app on your iPad.
This app features the following 8 functions: pallet color mixing and color picking; the ability to mix oil paint colors on the live canvas; multiple layers and switching between drawing straight lines and curves; importing pictures from your own photos; color picking; sharing your creations with your friends through WeChat, microblogs, and qq accounts; changing the background color; and detailed stroke control to achieve fine painting.
The development of the app was overseen by the “Construction and Application of the OUC’s Omni-Media Learning Resources” project launched in 2011. It was designed by the School of Art Education and the OUC Department of Teaching Resources Management, and took 3 years to complete under the joint cooperation of the partners. Yang Zaishi, former deputy editor of Higher Education Press; Yu Lizhan, Zhou Yanyang, Cui Xiaosheng and other teachers from Tsinghua University's Academy of Art & Design have praised the software: “Your Hand Drawing App” is a practical exploration of applying new media, mobile networks, and cloud technology to open education and teaching, which is a full reflection on the integration of art education and information technology. In particular, it distinguishes itself with unique features and innovations in learning and drawing functions. It is one of the progressive achievements made under the “Construction and Application of the OUC’s Omni-media Learning Resources” project and should be promoted and put in wide application as soon as possible.
To make constant improvement in the functionality of the app and enhance users’ learning experience based on the feedback and demands of users, the OUC Department of Teaching Resources Management has designed a survey on the usage of “Your Hand Drawing App”. On the home page of the app, users can click on the blue icon ○i at the top-right corner to leave feedback on the software.
By Du Ruo and Tang Yingshan, the OUC