Will Porter roots his lessons in the elements and principles of art. His icebreakers and daily assignments for students challenge them to consider fully utilizing space, distinguishing between foreground/middle ground/background with value & form, and much more.

There is time for play during icebreakers such as Pictionary that allow the students to best express how they envision specific objects, animals, etc to look. Their playful sketches are often translated into class assignments where the students adapt the sketch into an art style.

Will contends that "comfortability with the fundamentals of art makes it easier for students to describe their process & the aesthetic of others' artwork."

Will introduces his students to commonly known, and some uncommonly known, art styles to gauge which ones seem the most interesting or 'entry level' for the young artists. With an art style as a point of reference, Will encourages his students to create what they enjoy while abiding by the rules of the styles they like.