Art I - (no prerequisite)
Art I is a basic level art course, where students will be introduced to the Elements and Principles of Design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing works of art. They will also learn about various cultures, artists, and art styles from the pre-historic era to contemporary times. Using a variety of media, students will learn basic skills in the standard disciplines of art: drawing, painting, printmaking, design, and sculpture. A responsibility toward materials, tools, and equipment is stressed through all art activities. There will also be several problem-based assignments that students will complete in their sketchbooks during the year. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be in the form of visual/studio products, with a limited number of tests and quizzes.
Typical Projects/Assignments:
Art Literacy and Visual Theory, Part I presentation and test: students learn about the “language of art," including the Elements of Art, and how we perceive visual information from real and simulated sources
Contour Line drawing, blind and modified: using graphite pencil
Modified Contour Line Composition, using sharpie marker and watercolor washes
Basic Ceramics presentation and test
Multi-technique Coil Pot, using clay
Art Literacy and Visual Theory, Part II presentation and test: the Principles of Design
Art Criticism method: description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment
Value Scales: cross-hatch, sides of pencil, round scribbles, and cross-contour lines, using graphite pencil
Modeling shapes into forms drawing: spheres, cylinders, and cones, using graphite pencil
Still-life in Contrast Values drawing, using graphite pencil
Printmaking presentation and quiz
Relief printing inspired by Edvard Munch and wood-cuts from German Expressionist artists, using a rubber plate material, cutting knives, and ink
Color Wheel and color scales, using tempera paint
1-point perspective drawings, using graphite pencil and ink pen
Facial proportions, using graphite pencil
Art II - (prerequisite Art I, or permission of instructor)
Art II is a basic-intermediate level art course, where students will continue to explore the Elements and Principles of Design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing works of art. They will continue to learn about various cultures, artists, and art styles, and how to appropriate these styles into their own art work. Using a variety of media, students will continue to learn skills in drawing, painting, design, and sculpture. Students will be encouraged to photograph and organize their work in order to build a portfolio, which can be used in successive art classes or for college applications. A responsibility toward materials, tools, and equipment is stressed through all art activities. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be in the form of visual/studio products.
Typical Projects/Assignments:
Positive and Negative Space Design, sharpie marker
Value Scale: circular layering, using graphite pencil
Symmetrical Portrait drawing, using graphite pencil
Dada and Surrealism presentation
Anomaly Composition, magazine images
Anomaly Drawing, graphite pencil
Anthropomorphic Vessel, clay
Colored pencil exercises
Kaleidoscope Design, colored pencil
Acrylic painting exercises
Chess Pieces painting, acrylic paint
2-point perspective drawings, sharpie marker and graphite pencil
Art III - (prerequisite Art II, or permission of instructor)
Art III is an intermediate level art course, where students will continue to explore the Elements and Principles of Design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing works of art. They will continue to learn about various cultures, artists and art styles, and how to appropriate these styles into their own art work. Using a variety of media, students will continue to learn skills in drawing, painting, and design. Students will be encouraged to photograph and organize their work in order to build a portfolio, which can be used in successive art classes or for college applications. A responsibility toward materials, tools, and equipment is stressed through all art activities. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be in the form of visual/studio products.
Typical Projects/Assignments:
Addiction drawing, any drawing or painting media
Personal Reflection drawing, graphite pencil
Watercolor Techniques Sampler: wet-into-wet, flat wash, graded wash, dry brush, scraping, masking with fluid, masking with tape, and salt textures.
Floral/vegetal anomaly collage and painting, watercolor paint
Candy composition, colored pencil
Counter-change Pattern Matrix, ink pen
3-point perspective drawings, graphite pencil and ink pen
Art IV - (prerequisite Art III, or permission of instructor)
Art IV is an advanced level art course, where students will continue to explore the Elements and Principles of Design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing works of art. They will continue to learn about various cultures, artists, and art styles, and how to appropriate these styles into their own art work. Using a variety of media, students will continue to learn skills in drawing, painting, and design. Students will be encouraged to photograph and organize their work in order to build a portfolio, which can be used in successive art classes or for college applications. A responsibility toward materials, equipment, and works of art is stressed through all art activities. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be in the form of visual/studio products.
Typical Projects/Assignments:
Unzipped composition, any drawing or painting media
Still-life of reflective objects (glass, metal) on toned paper, charcoal pencil
Self-portrait drawing, charcoal pencil
Object Study, mixed media collage
Collage Painting, magazine color swatches
Metamorphosis Design, any drawing or painting media
Counter-change Pattern Portrait, ink pen
Dramatic Light photo shoot, digital photography
Urban Decay photo shoot, digital photography
Pattern and Reflection photo shoot, digital photography
Forced Perspective photo shoot, digital photography
Idioms photo shoot, digital photography
Art V - (prerequisite Art IV, or permission of instructor)
Art V is an independent, student-driven, advanced level art course. The student will choose a theme/concentration to focus on for the year. All of the student's research, processes, and materials exploration, including final products, will be based on this one concentration topic. The teacher will serve as a coach/guide during this journey. During the year, the student will continue to explore the Elements and Principles of Design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing works of art. They will continue to learn about various cultures, artists, and art styles, and how to appropriate these styles into their own art work. The student will continue to learn skills in drawing, painting, printmaking, design, or sculpture. The student will be encouraged to photograph and organize their work in order to build a portfolio, which can be used for college applications. A responsibility toward materials, equipment, and works of art is stressed through all art activities. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be in the form of visual/studio products.
Typical Projects/Assignments:
The student will choose a theme/concentration that is personally valuable to them, and they will base all of their research, processes, and materials exploration, including final products, on this one concentration topic. Some examples of possible concentrations: partially wrapped objects in contrast light, reflective surfaces, a landscape at different times of the day, the human figure in motion, family relationships, characters from a famous myth, design and execution of a children's book, political cartoons, abstractions developed from cells and other microscopic images, daily routines, personal struggles, exploration of pattern and design found in nature. The student will produce between 8 - 10 studio projects during the year, and they will have to complete at least four artist/cultural research and homage entries in their sketchbook that relate to their concentration. This is the same type artist research and homage entry model from previous art classes.
3-D Art I - (no prerequisite)
3-D Art I is a basic level sculpture and crafts course, where students will be introduced to the Elements and Principles of Design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing art “in-the-round.” They will also learn about various sculptors, art styles, and cultures from the pre-historic era to contemporary times. Using a variety of media, students will learn basic skills in the production of sculpture and crafts. A responsibility toward materials, tools, and equipment is stressed through all activities. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be in the form of visual/studio products, with a limited number of tests and quizzes throughout the year.
Typical Projects/Assignments:
Tape Sculptures: clear packing tape and newspaper (group project)
Art Literacy and Visual Theory, Part I presentation and test: “the language of art,” including the Elements of Art
Shape to Form Sculptures: cardboard, tag board, papier mache, and acrylic paint
Stabiles: foam board, metallic spray paint
Basic Ceramics, presentation and test
Multi-technique Coil Pots: clay
Art Literacy and Visual Theory, Part II presentation and test: the Principles of Design
Egg Baskets: flat and round wooden reed
Motif Bowls: papier mache, acrylic paint
3-D Art II - (prerequisite 3-D Art I)
3-D Art II is an intermediate level sculpture and crafts course, where students will continue to explore the Elements and Principles of Design as a method for understanding, appreciating, criticizing, and producing art “in-the-round.” They will continue to learn about various sculptors, art styles, and cultures from the pre-historic era to contemporary times. Using a variety of media, students will learn intermediate skills in the production of sculpture and crafts. A responsibility toward materials, tools, and equipment is stressed through all activities. The bulk of the work produced in this class will be in the form of visual/studio products, with a limited number of tests and quizzes throughout the year.
Typical Projects/Assignments:
Fiber Coiled Baskets: yarn, beads, feathers, fiber flex cord (9-12 week project)
Abstract Sculptures: panty hose, wire, acrylic paint
Self-portrait Busts: plaster gauze, another material choice, acrylic paint
Anthropomorphic Vessels: clay
Drape Form Vessels: clay
Wall Masks: papier mache, acrylic paint, raffia