Contact:
Gwenn Woods
gwennwds5@gmail.com

Course Time:
This course is offered on Tuesdays.

Course Pre-Requisites:

While this course is open to all students, it can also count as a Fine Arts
credit for high school students. (Subject to your umbrella requirements.)

Course Text:

none required

Course Description:
This course is an introductory studio course where students will be introduced to the elements and principles of art and design as they explore an array of media and techniques in 2 and 3-dimensions.

We will observe how God ordered the 7 elements and 7 principles of art, conveying His completeness in creating the visual world, and how He arranged the properties of these elements and principles in groups of 3, reflecting His Trinitarian nature.

Primary emphasis is on developing the student’s observational, perceptual, and
representational skills.

Topics include, but are not limited to, the introduction of basic design elements and principles, color theory, art terminology, and interpretative analysis of form and content.

We will also learn to analyze art and evaluate it from an aesthetic perspective.

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Course Objectives:

By the end of the year, it is expected that the student will be able to produce a body of work that demonstrates the following concepts and practices:

To develop a visual arts vocabulary and apply the basic terminology, including the elements and principles of art and design.
To identify, organize, and apply the formal properties of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art and design that contribute to visual literacy.
To understand and apply observational methods and theories central to the practice of 2 and 3-dimensional art and design.
To understand and apply basic linear drawing concepts and approaches, including learning to see, contour, and gesture.
To develop and translate concepts and visual experience into images.
To develop abilities in perception, conception, creative problem solving, decision making, risk-taking, and personal expression through a series of related assignments which respect tradition and encourage innovation.
To discern and create art with integrity by glorifying God through discipline, effort, and goals, and to develop useful attitudes towards creative activity.
To analyze and evaluate works of art using both formal and content-oriented approaches.
To explore and manipulate various 2 and 3-dimensional media including graphite, colored pencils, pastels, watercolor, gouache, paper, clay, wire, and other materials.
To identify, understand, and apply the technical methods, materials, development, and historical context of various art techniques.
To explore various visual arts-related career options.

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Course Content:

2D/3D Fundamentals- Studio sessions will consist of a sequence of projects that
will introduce the visual and verbal vocabulary and concepts of 2-dimensional and
3-dimensional art and design.
2D/3D Media- Projects will explore these materials: graphite, colored pencil, pastels, watercolor, gouache, paper, clay, wire and other materials.
Themes- Projects will include 2 and 3-dimensional studies of everyday objects, the
human figure, forms in nature, technology, and personal themes interpreted by representation or abstraction.
Art History- Many assignments and projects will include an overview of an aspect of art history or a particular artist. Students are encouraged to go to the library or on the internet to research artists from these art movements.
Fostering Creativity- Creating art is a learned discipline. The most important quality in
learning is having a good attitude. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
- Philippians 4:13. Students need to believe they are artists. Knowledge and dedicated
craftsmanship can produce beautiful results. Children who see themselves as artistically talented show more interest than children who do not recognize that they were, in fact, created in the image of the Master Artist and have God-given creativity.

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Course Class Time:

This is largely a studio class.
After a short presentation on the element, principle, concept, medium, technique, and historical context, most of our time will be used for studio production and practice.
Students are expected to complete a project begun in-class outside of class.
Art-making requires consistent, focused engagement.
Students should be fully present and ready to work hard.

Course Homework Requirements:

Students can expect to have around 5 hours of homework each week.
These home assignments will consist of portfolio projects initiated in-class and weekly sketchbook assignments.

Grading:

30% class portfolio projects
30% participation
20% sketchbook homework
20% art homework
Grading will be based on finished class projects (portfolio projects), sketchbook,
participation in class, and take home exams.
High school students will have an extra writing assignment.
Students can revise and resubmit a graded project for a higher grade with no penalty.
This must be done by the next week of class.
Students will receive a detailed rubric explaining the grading criteria for each project
and will receive a grade and written comments for each completed project.

Late Policy:

Projects will be accepted late, however, students cannot receive full credit for a late project.
Late projects must be handed in by the end of the quarter and will be lowered one more letter grade.

Course Supplies:

sturdy sketchbook, at least 5x7
black sharpie marker (fine point)
black sharpie marker (extra-fine point)
package of colored sharpie markers (fine point)
colored pencils (24) (crayola is fine)
metal ruler (12 inch minimum)
graphite drawing pencils (2H, HB, 4B)
pan of watercolors with brush
kneaded eraser
white plastic eraser
pink pearl eraser
hand-held pencil sharpener
rubber cement
compass
scissors
container for materials (small toolboxes work well)
cardboard portfolio to fit 18x24 artwork pieces to protect and carry
2-dimensional pieces to and from class (optional, but useful)

Hobby Lobby is good for finding supplies.
They run 50% off sales on art supplies frequently, and you can get a 40% off
coupon on your phone from the website.

WEST HARPETH

CHRISTIAN TUTORIAL

FINE ARTS

Select a class to view the course description