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Art 1: Foundations of Visual ArtRiver Hill High School Art Department
Every child is an artist; the problem is how to remain one when he grows up.—
Pablo Picasso
Welcome to Art 1!
n this class, you will be introduced to the materials and methods of making art. Learning thevisual arts can be compared to learning a language, like French or Japanese—first you learnwords, then you write sentences, then you are able to have a conversation, and you mighteventually write a poem or novel in that language. A master of language thinks and dreams in thatlanguage and speaks it fluently. Art is not merely talent: like French or Japanese, the language of art canbe learned; and, just as with French or Japanese, learning the language of art takes study, concentration,and practice. Here, you will learn the basic methods, materials, and visual vocabulary necessary to themaking and understanding of visual art. By the end of the term, you may not be a true master artist (thatwill take years!), but you will be amazed by how well you are able to speak and understand the languageof ART!Throughout the year, I will guide you through a number of art problems for which your solutionswill be in the form of drawings, paintings, sculptures, prints and collages. To inspire and direct youthrough the process of making these artworks, we will look at examples from the fine and applied arts,from both the past and present. As well, you will discover and experience the methods that artists use tocreate art: the initial research, the sketches, the preliminary studies, the experimentation with media, thefinal, refined work, and the critique or reflection of that work.
Fundamental Experiences
In this course you will discover how to:—Connect your life with your art.—Identify and apply the elements of art and principles of design.—Use Feldman’s four-step process for making critical judgments.—Use various idea-generating approaches, including: imagination, observation, memory, verbal-to-visual, and experimental.— Distinguish relationships among styles and apply approaches used in cultural exemplars and bymaster artists.—Work in groups to generate, develop and apply ideas in making an artwork.—
 
Select and use a variety of tools, materials, process, and techniques safely to solve specificvisual problems in the making of works of art— Identify various career paths that utilize visual arts skills and behaviors—Develop creative problem solving skills as well as design and technical skills in drawing,painting, printmaking, collage, sculpture, and crafts.
I
 
Assessment
As you can see from the above description, this class is process (or performance) based. You will earnpoints towards your grade for all of the parts of your process. You will be graded only on your ownperformance and progress—on your individual effort, growth and improvement—not on how yourfinished work compares to that of the other members of the class. Upon completion of each art problem,you will assess your own process before submitting the work to me for a grade.As you will see, some of you will grasp the concepts and techniques addressed in this class withrelative ease; others may need to work extra hard (including spending time working on art after school)to earn a top grade. In this way, learning to make art is similar to learning Math, English, or any othersubject—for some it is easily understood, for others, extra work is necessary. If you work hard, listenwell, and keep an open mind, you will amaze yourself (and everyone else!) with what you are able toachieve artistically.Each student will maintain a portfolio that will be stored in the classroom and will contain all of thework done in class and at home. Students may take work home only at the end of the term, or with theinstructor’s permission.
Grading Policy
1.
 
Incomplete work will not be accepted; only finished work will receive a grade.2.
 
Deadlines will be set at the discretion of the instructor. For each day late, an assignment will loseone letter grade.3.
 
Most often, the major assignments will be graded on a 100-point scale. There are four areas orcomponents to the grade, each worth a maximum of 25 points. This system allows the teacher andthe pupil to evaluate specific strengths and identify areas, which need improvement. The gradingmatrix will be based on the following:Presentation—Neatness and respect for your work must be evident in the appearance of thecompleted artwork.Design—The composition has been carefully considered so as to best communicate youridea(s).Studio Skills—The work demonstrates your proficiency with materials and methods; youhave used your time productively, shown respect for your work and the workof others, and participated in cleanup.Objectives—Your work meets all the stated objectives of the assignment.The grading scale is as follows:A—90 – 100B—80 – 89C—70 – 79D—60 – 69E—0 – 594.
 
The mid-term and final exam will be combined to account for 14 % of your final course grade.5.
 
If you are legally absent, you may make up missed work—you are permitted a one-day extension forevery day you are absent. You are responsible for asking the instructor for missed work. The natureof the work missed may require that you work at school, rather than at home. It is up to the instructorto decide on what day and at what time this will occur.
 
6.
 
No extra credit projects will be given at any time. However it is important to keep in mind that all of your serious attempts towards the realization of a work (sketches, preliminaries, even your technicalfailures) be preserved, as the
 process
is of such importance in this course. Additionally, applying100% of your effort during class time and electing to come after school to improve your piece, tocomplete it on time, or to take it further, will work in your favor!
Homework 
Throughout the semester, assignments will be given which will require you to spend time working athome or in the art studio outside of your scheduled class time. Generally these homework assignmentswill be completed in your visual journal; you should expect to spend two hours of work outside of classon average. Homework must be turned in on the date due in order to receive full credit.
Required Materials
You are required to have a usable #2 pencil with eraser
everyday!
A sketchbook is necessary to meet all course requirements in the art department. It is
highlyrecommended
that you purchase a 5 x 7-inch or 9 x 12-inch hardbound
(preferred)
or spiral boundsketchbook of good quality. Tablet bound sketchbooks (bound with tape only), are discouraged, as theytend to fall apart quickly, which increases the probability of lost assignments. Should you choose to notpurchase a sketchbook (from art supply stores or bookstores), there will be opportunities at thebeginning of the school year to learn how to make one on your own. Again, whether you purchase asketchbook, or make one yourself, it is a necessary component of this art class and will serve as a way tocomplete assignments, brainstorm, and gather information that pertains to your experiences in the class.Your sketchbook will be stored in the classroom or in your backpack. In either case, you are expected tohave your sketchbook with you every day. You may wish to procure an art smock or an old, oversizedshirt to protect your clothing.The art department will provide all other materials for artwork made in this class.
Class Routine
When the bell rings, you are expected to be in your seat, with your sketchbook and to cease allconversation. If you arrive early you can prepare materials for the day that will be listed on the screen,you may also wish to begin working on your project right away, that is fine—as long as you are in yourseat and quiet when the bell rings. I will begin class by taking attendance and directing your attention tothe screen where I will have written out for you the objective and agenda. Any pertinent information willbe delivered at this time, including instructions and demonstrations, due dates and examples. The bulk of the class period will be devoted to studio work. During studio time, gentle conversation is permitted.However, whenever I am addressing the whole class, or when we are engaged in a class discussion, allother conversation must cease. Occasionally, studio work will be suspended briefly so that I candemonstrate a process to the entire class, lead a discussion, initiate a critique, or make an importantpoint. Every class will end with the final ten minutes (more or less) set aside for cleanup and forreflection of what we have accomplished and on what is in store for our next class together.
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