Art

Course Overview

This course is designed to provide a foundation of Visual Art concepts and allow exploration of these concepts. Students will learn about the seven elements of art (Line, Shape, Form, Space, Color, Value, and Texture) by participating in the seven artistic processes: Creating, Presenting, Producing, Performing, Responding, Critiquing, and Connecting. Students will explore a variety of art styles and media such as, but not limited to, drawing, painting, digital art, sculpture, and mixed media. Students will review relevant artwork and understand their influences on the world through history and among various cultures. In addition to expanded opportunities to express ideas through the Visual Arts, students will apply the conventions of Art Evaluation/ Critique, and develop basic skills through experimentation with media and techniques used to create Art.  

Course Content

Unit 1: What is Art?

Students will interpret the definition of art and discuss how art has contributed to society, culture, and history. Students will study art vocabulary that includes relevant art concepts and terms. Selected terms are intended to enhance students’ ability to discuss and critique their own work, peer work, and the artwork of other artists. Students will be able to explain the difference between an evaluation of artwork based on personal criteria and an evaluation of artwork based on a set of established criteria. Further development of the appreciation of art will aid the student in gathering information about style, genre, media, as well as historical and cultural contexts. The information from this unit will be revisited throughout the course with ongoing discussion.  

Unit 2: Element of Art: Line

Students will explore the element of line as it is used in visual art. Students will be introduced to works created by artists who use the element of line in their works. Students will observe lines in their environment more closely, name the distinct kinds of lines, tell the five ways lines can vary in appearance, use lines to change values, understand the expressive qualities or meanings of different lines in works of art, and use lines to make contour, gesture, and calligraphic drawings.  

Unit 3: Elements of Art: Shape and Form

Students will explore the elements of shape and form as used in visual art. Students will be introduced to works created by artists who use these elements in their artwork. Students will demonstrate their understanding of shape and form as used in works of art. Students will be able to explain the difference between shapes and forms, observe more carefully the shapes and forms in space around themselves.

Unit 4: Element of Art: Space

Students will explore the element of space as used in visual art. Students will be introduced to works created by artists who use this element in their artwork. Students will demonstrate their understanding of point of view, perspective, and depth as used in works of art. Students will be able to use point of view and perspective to create art and identify the expressive qualities of space.  

Unit 5: Element of Art: Color

Students will explore the element of color as used in visual art. Students will be introduced to works created by artists who use this element in their artwork. Students will learn how their eyes see color, name the properties of color on the color spectrum, and identify different color schemes. Students will use color as the expressive element in creating artwork.  

Unit 6: Element of Art: Value

Students will explore the element of value as used in visual art. Students will be introduced to works created by artists who use this element in their artwork. Students will learn how the eye can discriminate gradations in lightness, from light to dark. Students will use value as an expressive element in creating artwork.

Unit 7: Element of Art: Texture

Students will explore the element of texture as it is used in visual art. Students will be introduced to works created by artists who use this element in their artwork. Students will learn how a texture is perceived through the senses, describe various textures, reproduce textures by changing values, use textures as the expressive element in creating two- and three-dimensional works of art, and understand how artists use texture. Students will use texture as an expressive element in creating art. 

Unit 8: Art in the World/ Careers in Art

In this unit, students will focus on the development of artistic traditions and styles through the ages and around the world. Students are introduced to artists from many diverse cultural groups and art movements. Through this unit, students will explore ways they, themselves, can pursue a career in an art-related field. Students will also examine the career opportunities in art and art-related fields.