This class provides a basic understanding of artistic design concepts and an introductory exploration of western art history. Students learn how the elements and principles of art help artists create dynamic compositions, and how those ideas can be applied to their own artwork. Through discussions, video, and images, students learn about art throughout history, and history through art, and investigate the many ways artists have expressed their ideas, culture, emotions, and daily life in their work for the past 20,000 years. Art Skills is a prerequisite for, and prepares students for more advanced work in the art elective classes.
How do artists use the elements of art and principles of design to improve their composition?
How do artists communicate the ideas/ zeitgeist of their time?
How does art help us understand how people lived in different times, places, and cultures?
What visual characteristics are typical of different time periods, cultures, and artists?
Why study art?
What inspires people to make art?
How do artworks convey meaning?
How can a viewer "read" a work of art?
How does knowing and using visual arts vocabularies help us understand and interpret works of art?
Major Concepts:
What are the elements of art and principles of design? How do artists use the elements and principles to create dynamic design in their artwork? How can understanding the elements and principles of design help me in my own work?
Major Content:
Elements of art and principles of design vocabulary and concepts
Unit Assessments:
Elements of art and principles of design workbook, “quick collages” and design exercises.
Major Concepts:
How can having knowledge of culture and history help me to understand art? How does art reflect the values, culture, and experiences of artists? What stories do artists tell in their work? How do artists take inspiration from the past? Why do some artists break away from more traditional aesthetics of art? What kinds/ styles of art am I drawn to, and why?
Major Content:
Understanding a timeline of (western) civilizations, culture, and history, art appreciation - subjective vs. objective: separating “story” from artistic composition, note taking and summarizing practice, in-class art analysis and discussions: identifying the elements and principles of design in artworks, characteristics of our studied art periods: How can you tell an artwork is from a certain time period just by looking at it?
In-class discussions/ notes on 10 major art periods: Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greek, Renaissance, Italian Baroque, Impressionism, post-Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art.
Supplemental HW assignments covering art periods that “bridge the gaps” between the above art periods: Stone Age, Mesopotamia, Ancient Rome, Medieval, Romanticism, Realism, Fauvism, “What is Abstract Art?”.
Unit Assessments:
Art history video homework workbook/ notes
In class art history discussion workbook/ notes.
Final exam:
Art history in order: place 10 major art periods in chronological order.
Multiple choice questions based on connecting artwork, artists name, and time period of our featured 10 major art periods.
Art period slide ID - name the art period by looking at images not previously seen from our featured 10 major art periods.
Essay: How does art represent the reality, ideals, technology, social structure, struggles and culture throughout history? For example, how does Cubism capture the zeitgeist of the early 20th century? Discuss how art “holds up a mirror” to society; what can we learn about different times, social issues, and places in history when we look at the art that was created by those who lived it?
Major Concepts:
How can artists use color to influence the mood/ atmosphere of a work of art?
Major Content:
Understanding the color wheel, explorations of color harmonies and schemes.
Technique explorations: tempera & acrylic paint, watercolor, watercolor pencil, crayon, water soluble gel pastels.
Unit Assessments:
Create an original 2D piece using a specific color scheme. Written reflection.
Major Concepts:
How can I use a paper template to explore design ideas? What is the right thickness/ dryness of clay to be soft enough to bend but strong enough to hold its form? How do I attach slabs of clay together so they won’t crack or separate? Should I apply texture to the surface of my clay before or after constructing a complex form?
Major Content:
Rolling an even slab of clay, proper attachment techniques, origami clay slab dishes, using a template with clay design, incorporating texture/ surface design into your ceramics.
Unit Assessments:
Clay origami dish with texture. Written reflection.