Semester 1 Lessons
(all lesson time constraints are subject to change)
Weeks 1 - 4
Course Outline (Semesters 1 & 2)* *Art Assignments are subject to change in approach and sequence,
I. The Nature of Art (Weeks 1-4)
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What is “art”? What is “visual literacy”?
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Visual Grammar
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Elements and Principles of Design
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Purpose of visual expression
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Who makes art?
Topics of Study: Art by non-humans, art by visually-impaired humans, “every day” art, advertising, comic books, “crazy” artists, digitally-enhanced photography, “primitive” art, “starving” artists job prospects.
Activities: Group/whole class discussions.
Artists: Aboriginal Dreaming drawings, First Nations art, Persian miniatures, Ruby the Elephant, Van Gogh
II. Visual Structure (Weeks 5-7)
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What is COMPOSITION in art?
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Using the Elements and Principles and Visual Grammar to describe artwork
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Critiquing artwork
Activities: Construction paper collage composition, self- and group-critique using visual grammar.
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A little ART HISTORY (Week 8)
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Timeline of art history
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Western vs. Eastern traditions in visual communication
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Typicalart media
Activities: Individual artist reports, artist birthday “celebrations”
II. Making Art (Weeks 8-14)
A. Black and White Photography: Starting with the familiar (about 3 weeks)
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A very brief history of photography.
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Composition in Photography
3. How do a cameras and lenses work?
4. How do you expose film?
5. How do you print photographs?
B. Drawing: Making symbols (about 18 weeks—will be spread between the semesters starting about mid first semester to mid second semester.)
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Observation
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Drawing from life
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Contour line drawing
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Identifying NEGATIVE and POSITIVE space
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Drawing humans and PROPORTION
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Using VALUE (light and dark) to show depth/3D
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Perspective (1-, 2-, and 3- point)
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Texture
Activities: Blind and modified contour line, Upside down drawings, drawing in ink and graphite, draw hands, draw still life objects, negative space drawings, Insect drawings, figure drawing, gesture drawings, typical proportions, sighting, shading techniques (hatching, blending, stippling), value scales, organic vs. geometric rendering, texture rubbings, charcoal still life, perspective drawing of shapes in space
Artists: Edward Hopper, Canaletto, Katsushika Hokusai, David Caspar Friedrich, Shepard Fairey, MC Escher, Kathe Kollwitz
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Using COLOR (2 weeks)
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Basic color theory
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Value in color
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Using color media (wet and dry)
Activities: Tempera color wheel design, colored pencil blending, watercolor landscapes, pointillist postcards, mini masterpieces
Artists: Rembrandt, Vermeer, Georges Seurat, Henri Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, Romare Bearden
III. Graphic Design and Printmaking
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What is Graphic Design? (2 weeks)
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Lettering as design
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Words in visuals
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Calligraphy
C.Simple printmaking (2 weeks)
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Linocut
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Monotype
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Marbling
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Paper Batik
Activities: Illustrated word compositions, calligraphy quotes, a personal motif/logo stamp, mixed media collages, photograms/sunprints, The Elements of Design: a photographic treasure hunt. (b/w film, digital camera,) very basic photoshop
Artists: Andy Warhol, Diane Arbus, William Wegman, Robert Frank, William Morris, advertising logos
FINAL and Supplemental Art Activities (4 weeks)
Activities: Create a series of 4 "cultural or personal" flags illustrating a specific theme, “Giant fish” banners (this will be explained in full as the semester progresses)
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Artist visits
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Field experiences
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Art final: “9 Views of the Same Thing”*
*The students will create a booklet or poster that is a visual overview of techniques covered during the school year.