1. Intro to Art
The Introduction to Art course introduces the student to the basic fundamentals of art through explorations in various media. Projects are based on the elements of art and the principles of design. Students will have experiences in drawing, painting, sculpture, art history and printmaking. The class is a pre-requisite for many other art classes. A materials fee is required.

2. Students begin
the class by doing
a variety of quick
design exercises.
In this particular
exercise the
students create
a very fluid
line design and
add color to it in
a way that
demonstrates
that they can
effectively use
and blend color.

3. In this exercise the
students use inter-related
shapes to create mazelike
patterns. Color and
shading adds dimension
and interest to the work.

4. In this
exercise
a strong
linear
design is
created.
Gradual
shading
is then used
to give
the piece a
sense of
form.

5. Drawing skills are developed through several specific drawing assignments
that are done as homework. Students draw from life – starting with one simple object. The second assignment is a group of objects put together as a still life and
the last piece is a close-up of one or more objects. From here students do additional work of
their
own
choice.

6. The drawing unit focuses on working
in a variety of distinctive styles.
Contour line drawing is one of these
styles. It is done as exercise in
connecting the right and left sides of
the brain. A variety of subjects and
approaches have been done for this
work.

7. Calligraphic style drawing is done with a fine liner brush
Calligraphic style drawing is done with a fine liner brush. This approach allows for
intricate brushwork and very well
defined details.

8. Gesture style drawing is done as a warm up for
life drawing. The students work loosely and freely
depicting the person as a quick gesture. The intent
is to depict the person’s proportion and body position,
but, not create a highly detailed or finished drawing.

9. As a final life drawing the students
may draw a person as a cloaked
figure showing good use of
shape, form, space and value.
They work in
charcoal and
use the full
range of values
from black to
white. As a final
touch they
enhance their
work by adding
an imaginary
background
of interest.

10. Doodle drawings allow
for very expressive
and creative responses.

11. Using animals or nature
as subject matter is a
natural choice for print-
making. Minnesota artist
Betsy Bowen was used
as inspiration for this printmaking experience. Students were shown
many of her prints to use
as a point of reference.
They then
thoughtfully
worked in her
style to define
the subjects that
they chosen
to do.

12. Color theory is studied by creating a color wheel
and a variety of color charts. The charts allow the
students the opportunity to mix colors to create
tints, shades and neutrals. This reference is very
important as the students move forward doing
other paintings.

13. Landscape paintings may be done as either a watercolor or an
acrylic. The students learn several key concepts as they work on
these pieces. They learn to work: from the background to the
middle ground to the fore ground, from the light areas to dark
areas and from the large areas to the small areas. They also
focus on the effective use of composition, color and contrast as
they practice a variety of new brush techniques.

14. Ceramics may be the media of
choice for the sculptural form
that the students create in this
class. Here puzzle boxes were
done as a decorative and
functional
form.

15. Students study
the work of a
famous artist.
They then work
“in the style”
of that artist.
They also write
a brief report on
the artist and
their work. They
share both of
these things
with the rest
of the class.