Art 1-2

Goal

Students learn the fundamentals of art, that mistakes are key to improving, and that art is fun. Enjoy the process.

An introduction to the 7 Elements of Art and 7 Principles of Design, exploring a variety of materials, techniques, styles, movements, and cultures. Built to work for total beginners and returning students in the same room.

Units

1. Yeah That's Me (Week 1)

   Identity piece in any medium. Two things outside your comfort zone. 4 sentences on the back.

2. Unit 1 — The Basics

   Line, shape, form, perspective, value, color. Forms in 2-point perspective, the color wheel, a lived-in environment project, and a value/color study.

3. Unit 2 — Composition

   Rule of thirds, shape-based and letter-based compositions (Z/X/Y, C/L, V). Six thumbnails, then a finished piece.

4. Unit 3+ — Media of the Unit

   One medium per unit (colored pencil, watercolor, clay, figure drawing…). Intro → daily warm-up → 1–2 projects.

5. Art History

   Discussion-based, starting mid first semester. Module 1: The First Paintings.

Recurring routines

Two sketchbooks

Sketchbook 1 is personal — daily, never graded, never inspected. Sketchbook 2 is for Friday Watch and is graded.

Friday Watch

Go outside. Observe for 5 minutes without drawing, then draw without looking up from the paper.

Warm-ups (5–10 min)

Rotate every 2 weeks: lines & shapes; shapes + 1-point perspective cubes; value/color.

Exhibitions

Every 2 months at lunch — each student shows 3–4 pieces. The Grand at year-end: 6–8 pieces each.