ART CLASSES
Philosophy:
The Art Department fosters visual literacy, self expression, creative growth, discovery and mastery of application skills. Creative learning helps students relate visual knowledge to other core subjects by responding to problem solving with originality, appreciation, flexibility and imagination. Courses offered by our department provide the opportunity for students to achieve at their individual level and grow from there. Art students’ accomplishments are celebrated in school displays, the annual spring Fenton Art Festival, and/or a community show.
2D ART
Sketching, drawing, painting, and printing are all a part of the 2D Art class. The secrets to drawing what you see are unleashed in this course. Media that may be used includes pencil, charcoal, marker, oil pastels, monoprints, and watercolor. Multiple themes and styles will be explored and students will leave this class speaking the language of art. Students who enjoy the drawing aspect of this course can go on to Cartooning or Drawing I, while students who enjoy painting can continue on in Painting I.
Prerequisite: None
Note: This course is a prerequisite for Drawing 1 and Painting Studio
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
CARTOONING
Cartoons and comics are woven throughout our daily lives. You cannot turn on the television, open a magazine, or walk down the street without seeing one. This course allows you to step into the amazing world of cartooning. It focuses on developing a personal style of cartoon drawing through the study of its history and styles: hero comics, advertising cartoons, comic strips, political cartoons and animation. Quick visual thinking techniques and communication skills will also be mastered. For further study in drawing see course descriptions for 2D Art and Drawing. Cartooning techniques can also be combined with the skills learned in the Computer Art course.
Prerequisite: None
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
CERAMICS 1-2
Ceramics is one of the most ancient industries on the planet. As early as 24,000 BC, animal and human figurines were made from clay and then fired in kilns. Developing a personal viewpoint as an outgrowth of the ceramic process is encouraged by emphasizing historical perspectives, design, basic pottery skills, and exploration as a path to personal discovery. Hand-building and glazing techniques will be learned in Ceramics 1, while the wheel and more independent work will be a part of Ceramics 2. For more three-dimensional classes see the Sculpture, Jewelry, and AP 3D Design course descriptions.
Prerequisite: Ceramics 1 must be taken before Ceramics 2
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
COMPUTER ART
The computer is the number one design tool used in creative careers. Using the program Adobe Photoshop, students will learn how to create stunning works of art that leave people wondering how they were made. Computer Art teaches artists how to: create special effects, draw using the computer, compose graphic publications used in our school, design web buttons, and animate original ideas. The digital camera and scanner will also aid in our creations. This is a great class for anyone interested in giving their computer skills an artistic twist. Students who enjoy this course or are seeking a creative career are encouraged to go on to Digital Photography, Graphics, and or Web Design found in the Applied Technology Department.
Prerequisite: None
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
DRAWING I
Learning how to observe details and draw naturally are the major outcomes of Drawing I. The traditional subjects of landscape, cityscape, still life, rendering of two dimensional references and portraits are studied. Media variety includes charcoal, graphite pencils and pen and ink. The complexity of assignments increases in terms of composition, concepts and skill development. Drawing I is the advanced course for the drawing portion of 2D Art.
Prerequisite: 2D Art
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
DRAWING II
This advanced class is designed to focus on drawing from direct observation, rendered two dimensional images and memory while reinforcing expressive color qualities within the art piece. Drawing II focuses on contemporary art styles in drawing. A personal interpretation of portraits, figure and still life are goals of this course. Media variety includes oil pastels, Prisma color pencils and charcoal pastels. This course focuses on developing a great sense of using color for expressive qualities while developing personal interpretation of a subject matter.
Prerequisite: Drawing I
Levels: 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
JEWELRY 1-2
A wide variety of handmade jewelry-making techniques will be explored. Designs and motifs will be taken from different cultures and the immediate world around us. Weaving,clay, copper, wire and wood are some of the media that may be used to create with in Jewelry 1. Glass fusing, enameling, soldering, and tagua nut carving will be mastered in Jewelry 2, along with several independent works. These courses develop a student’s ability to work safely in a jewelry studio. Students will learn to use hand tools, both electric and non-electric. For more three-dimensional classes see the Sculpture, Ceramics, and AP 3D Design course descriptions.
Prerequisite: Jewelry 1 must be taken before Jewelry 2
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
PAINTING
The rich possibilities of oil paint are found through the study of medium control and blending techniques. A personal interpretation of traditional space and color is the goal of Painting I. As individual styles are developed, subject matter experimentation is encouraged. Painting I is the advanced course for the painting portion of 2D Art.
Prerequisite: 2D Art
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
SCULPTURE 1-2
Cay, wire, cardboard, plaster, and wood are just some of the sculptural media used to create with in Sculpture 1. Sculpture 2 will explore conceptual art, installation, mosaics, and modeling with clay. Looking beyond the walls of our studio, students will be inspired by the world of sculpture that surrounds them in daily life. This course develops a student’s ability to work safely in a sculpture studio. Students will learn to use hand tools, both electric and non-electric. All conceived works are produced with the help of sketches and maquettes. For more three-dimensional classes see the Ceramics, Jewelry, and AP 3D Design course descriptions.
Prerequisite: Sculpture 1 must be taken before Sculpture 2.
Levels: 9, 10, 11, 12 Semesters: 1 Credits: 1
AP 3D DESIGN- SEQUENTIAL
This 2 semester course is the third tier for Ceramics, Jewelry, and Sculpture. AP 3D Design will prepare capable art students with a professional portfolio used for entrance into a college art program. The course emphasizes independent thematic work in the artist’s choice of three dimensional medium. Students enrolled in this course submit their portfolio to the College Board instead of taking an Advanced Placement Exam. All students will prepare a personal artist’s statement to be included with their presentation in Fenton’s Annual Art Festival.
Prerequisite: Ceramics 2, Jewelry 2, or Sculpture 2 or teacher approval
Levels: 11, 12 Semesters: 2 Credits: 2
AP STUDIO ART PORTFOLIO- SEQUENTIAL
This 2 semester course is truly the goal for any serious artists. AP Studio Art Portfolio is designed to prepare capable junior and senior art students with a professional portfolio used for entrance into a college art program. The course emphasizes independent thematic work in the artist’s choice of two dimensional medium. Students enrolled in this course submit their portfolio to the College Board instead of taking an Advanced Placement Exam. All students will prepare a personal artist’s statement to be included with their portfolio presentation in Fenton’s Annual Art Festival.
Prerequisite: Minimum three (3) semesters in studio art classes
Levels: 11, 12 Semesters: 2 Credits: 2