Grade: 9-12 Length: Semester Credits: 5.0Instructor: Bruce R. Dean, National Board Certified art teacher
Emailbrd@theworld.com Website: exploreanddiscover.com
Course Description: This foundation course focuses primarily on drawing skills and visual perception through units of study including perspective, gesture, contour, pen and ink, still life, cartooning and portraiture. Several approaches are introduced using Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain as a main text. Other units include color theory, collage, nature's geometry, and painting. Students enhance perceptual skills, broaden the way they see, and learn a variety of methods to interpret what they see. Practices are often introduced in relationship to art history through Scholastic Art magazines and Discovering Art History text.
Materials:Each student is assigned a folder or drawer, given a pencil and eraser, and charged $1 for a sketchpad. Journal/sketchbooks are available for $5. Students may turn in worn pencils and erasers for new ones. There is a 25-cent charge for each when lost. Other materials for class projects are provided.
Grading and Assessment: An art grade reflects many elements: daily attendance, class participation, completion of assignments on time, coming prepared with homework completed, and skill development along with class quizzes. Students should realize that effort, cooperation and personal improvement are valued as much as the product. Students are expected to check in with the instructor for independent work when they complete assignments before deadlines, and to always use class time constructively. Students will gain skill in self-evaluation as they discuss their work with the instructor and participate in-group critique sessions at the conclusion of projects. Major projects are graded, accompanied by written or verbal feedback and with individual student conferences. Each project is assessed on how the student meets the stated learning standards. Minor assignments receive check, check plus or check minus and are balanced into the final grade. Daily effort, conduct, attitude, care/use of materials and participation in clean-up are included as one project grade worth ten percent of term grade. Students are encouraged to present their work to the instructor, expressing thoughts and concerns respectfully.
Late work: A minimum of ten points is taken off for unexcused late projects up to one week (projects then become homework that must be completed within a week unless otherwise agreed upon). When a student falls behind she is to work on the current assignment in class and to complete the make up after school or at home.
Absences: Students are responsible for making up missed classes by consulting with teacher to see what work is needed, and by working in the art room after school during open studio times. Many exercises are ungraded. Therefore class participation is an important aspect of the studio approach. Excessive absences will be factored into final grade.
Homework: Homework includes preliminary studies for a project and bringing in reference materials in preparation for assignments. Students are encouraged to continue working on projects beyond class time. Students work at different paces. Therefore each student is responsible to complete assignments beyond class time after we begin the next study.
Mutual Respect: Everyone is at a different level of ability, and development. An atmosphere of trust is critical to learning and artistic development. Students need to respect other students' work in comments as well as actions. Areas of concern are best expressed by meeting with the teacher without an audience.
20 weeks Activities (note: sequence may vary):
Week 1
Hand out materials - studio procedures
Pre-instructional drawings
Face/vase/baroque face/vase
Picasso - upside down drawing
Right brain thinking
Week 2
Intro to viewers
Make your own - understanding of rulers
Using vertical and horizontal reference
Work from face/vase
Scissors- viewer lays flat
Drawing from 3-D object - viewer flat
Distant object - 6 - 10' - holding viewer
Week 3
3x4" to 9x12" 18x24"
Bring favorite object
Art history - art and man
Week 4
9 view complete from favorite object
Group critique
Week 5 - Negative Space
Viewer drawing of negative space
From magazine or photo
Objects several feet away
Negative space painting
Week 6- Sighting w/ pencil
Using edges of paper for reference
Introduction to perspective
Week 7
Introduction of contour drawing
Blind hand
Modified hand
Group of hands sequence
Critique
Art history - art and man
Week 8
Contour drawing
View of legs and feet
Critique
Week 9
Contour - model w/ cast shadow
Breaking the outside contour
Critique
Week 10
Blocking the form using contour skills - pg. 51
Critique
Week 11 - tone and value
Value scale in greys
White still life - pg. 54
Critique
Art history - art and man
Week 12
Black still life - pg. 59
Critique
Week 13
Charcoal drawing from lighted figure - pg. 62
Drawing the shapes of the shadows
Rendering values in new medium
Bring in photo
Week 14
Pencil rendering black and white photo
Week 15 - perspective
Worksheets
City block
Art history
Week 16 - pen and ink
Worksheets
Still life
Landscape with building
Week 17 - pen and ink
Local historic building
Critique
Week 18 - color
Worksheets
Week 19 - color
Composition problem
Art history
Week 20 - color
Pointillism