Art 1 : A little bit about the class...
As a result of this course, students should become creative problem solvers, which is a crucial life skill for the proper and total development of the individual within our society. Students in Art 1 will focus on developing skills in the area of drawing, painting, ceramics, life drawing, and printmaking. Students should be able to respond to works of art and make aesthetically pleasing choices in their personal and community environments. Elements and principles of design will be emphasized in each project.
Art History & Artists
We are familiar with some artist names from popular images and movies (ex. Leonardo Da Vinci, Vincent Van Gogh, etc.). It is important for students to understand where art comes from and how artists get their ideas. Students get introduced to past and current artists through reading short articles. Each day the students also have a journal that teaches reading comprehension and 6+1 traits of writing through looking at and taking about art.The students learn to look at art in a new way to help them better understand not only the choices they make but also the choices of artists all around them. The journals encourage and promote creative thinking skills that students will continue to use their whole life.
Critiquing Artwork/Artist Statements
Critique is an extremely important element in art. Getting the students used to looking at and talking about art can be challenging. I usually start with a piece of work they are familiar with and help them break down the critique steps to make it easier to understand. Critiquing is up to each person’s interpretation, there is no right or wrong answer. It’s hard enough to critique someone else’s work but even harder to critique your own. Constructive criticism is an important life lesson to become familiar with and learn from. Art can reflect the past, the present, and it can help artists express themselves in a variety of ways. Interpreting art is important, and trying to figure out the meaning is interesting. Critical thinking and creative problem solving are essential in critique and throughout life.
At the end of each project the students write an artist statement about their work. All artists reflect on what they do and why they do it, it is important for each student to begin to think about why he/she made certain decisions in their work to get beyond the “I don’t know, I just did”. It forces the student to really look at their work and think about their own strengths, things they found difficult, easy, maybe even what inspired them. This is great lesson they can use no matter where they go in life or what they strive to be.
At the end of each project the students write an artist statement about their work. All artists reflect on what they do and why they do it, it is important for each student to begin to think about why he/she made certain decisions in their work to get beyond the “I don’t know, I just did”. It forces the student to really look at their work and think about their own strengths, things they found difficult, easy, maybe even what inspired them. This is great lesson they can use no matter where they go in life or what they strive to be.