Art I Course Syllabus Instructor: Ms. Pendleton
Course Description This entry level studio art class for students in grades 912 will cover a range of traditional materials and experiences. First semester begins with drawing exercises and 2D design projects including perspective drawing, still life, drawing from imagination, pen & ink work, watercolor, color theory, and acrylic painting. Second semester includes collage, portraiture, figure work, and 3D sculpture. Students will learn vocabulary pertinent to art which they will use when discussing and interpreting artwork. Some exposure to Art History is embedded in the class. For further study of Art History, it is recommended that students take Art History Honors or Art 2. Art 1 is a prerequisite for Art 2. This is a handson course, designed to build artistic skills and explore various concepts in art. Presentations are made, basic examples are provided, and written instructions are available. Students are given ample time to complete each project. Group critiques are held periodically to discuss the strengths of each piece and give students the opportunity to practice using an artistic vocabulary while responding to art. Students are encouraged to be openedminded, think analytically, and to work creatively when solving artistic “problems”.
Course Objectives ● ● ● ●
Students will appreciate and be able to define art in their own words Students will understand the elements of art and principles of design Students will gain new knowledge of artistic techniques and mediums Students will develop their skills based on the essential questions in visual art
Course Topics/Themes Quarter 1: Experimental Drawing Art as Self-Expression: Who am I? Collage (Picasso) & Diorama (Dali) Portraiture Lucian Freud Proportion & Balance Figure Drawing Quarter 2: Art, Color, Chemistry Portraiture Continued... Chuck Close & Andy Warhol
Artist Trading Cards Elements & Principles Perspective & Contrast David Hockney & Hopper, Cezanne & Wolf Kahn Quarter 3: Design Aesthetics Texture & Composition Paul Cezanne and still life Pop Art, Font, Composition M.C. Escher, Rauschenberg & Rex Ray Quarter 4: 3D Sculpture Collaboration as expander of the creative process Recycled sculpture, papier-mache, and clay Installation Art Kusama Yayoi
Classroom Expectations ● Be on time. Be ready to start when the bell rings. ● Participate in and outside of class. Follow instructions given by instructor and complete homework assignments on time. Late homework will not be accepted. ● Be responsible. Come prepared with your journal and supplies to every class. Also, be respectful of your art materials. ● Give your best effort at all times as an artist and student.
Resources ● ● ● ●
Sketchbook (8.5”x11” or larger) Brushes (1 flat, 1 round) Colored pencils or Prismacolor markers (set of 18) Readings from: ○ Stewart, Mary. Launching the Imagination . No ed. Vol. Fourth Edition. New York: McGrawHill, 2012. Print. ○ Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art through the Ages: A Global History. No ed. Vol. Fourteenth Edition. Boston: Wadsworth, 2013. Print.
Assessment Students will display skills of various artistic techniques and mediums. This will be assessed through completed projects and classroom observations. Students will display knowledge of artistic theory and art history. This will be assessed through artist statements and critique reflections.
Students will display understanding by answering the essential questions in visual art. This will be assessed through inclass observations and completed art projects. Students will display dispositions through their appreciation of art and their directions as artists. This will be assessed through in class observation during instructional time, working time, critique sessions, and other artrelated events, such as art shows. Please note: students need not worry about how talented they are; students of all ability levels can succeed in this class if they listen to instruction and apply what they are learning with a positive, “cando” attitude. Students are assessed holistically, in other words many factors are evaluated. The two most important qualities that strong art students exhibit are a willingness to do their best through practice and a commitment to being responsible learners. Assessment methods include looking at the students’ portfolio of artwork at the end of each marking period (students selfassess their efforts in addition to my assessment), observing individual and group behavior (both while students are working on projects and during class critiques), and testing the students’ ability to demonstrate certain basic skills or understandings in art through written work or making art at the end of each quarter. Basically, students’ grades will reflect the amount of sustained effort which is put into each assignment from concept to completion. Solid class attendance, responsible use of time and materials, participation in class discussions, a positive attitude and good craftsmanship guarantee a good grade.