Drawing and Painting

Mrs. Ciarci

Course Description:

Drawing and Painting is an intermediate level 2 course required for advanced art courses. It builds on the knowledge and skills that students developed in Art I, a pre-requisite for the class. Students will focus on 20^th century and contemporary styles and individual artists. Students will expand their understanding of content through the use of symbols, develop sophisticated compositional skills by expanding their understanding of the Elements and Principles, develop skill with materials and techniques in painting and drawing and develop strong perceptual skills through realism and working from life. The course will explore a variety of subject matter and a variety of approaches. All content is divided into two categories, Creating Art and Responding to Art. Much of the vocabulary for each, overlaps. Students will be evaluated through projects, tests and written work.  

Teaching Philosophy

My overall teaching objective is to facilitate learning by encouraging students to develop self-directed learning techniques. To achieve this objective I introduce the problem via art history powerpoints, detail the grading via the project rubric and use problem-based teaching and student reflections.

Problem-based teaching is grounded in real situations. The problems encourage students to develop individual and collaborative problem-solving skills. Problems are problem solving situations in which individuals or teams of students use course content to come up with creative and effective solutions. I require that students reflect and evaluate their own learning. Depending on the course content, student reflections may be in the form of worksheet essays or a sketchbook.

These various requirements engage student learning and reinforce creative approaches to content. These techniques build confidence and provide tools for students to become independent learners and artists and effectively communicate their learning to others.

Ellington High School

Expectations for Student Learning

Students will perform according to Ellington High Schools expectations for Student Learning.

EHS students will:
   • Listen and view with understanding: Art Department primary objective
   • Read and write effectively.
   • Reason effectively, think critically, and solve problems.
   • Utilize resources including media, computers, and other technologies.

Course Objectives

• Students will complete projects in a variety of drawing and painting materials.
• Students will explore traditional and non-traditional drawing and painting techniques.
• Students will complete artwork in a variety of art styles.
• Students will explore art approaches including abstraction, expressionism, nonobjective, and realism.
• Students will complete works with sophisticated compositions based on the elements of art and principles of design.
• Students will develop a greater understanding of color theory and paint mixing.
• Students will identify a variety of 20^th century art styles and individual artists.
• Students will respond to art using higher order thinking skills.
• Students will become proficient in the use of art vocabulary.
• Students will examine why cultures produce art, and the meaning of art to human kind.

Sample Topics:

Assessment/Learning activities

Grading: Quarter grades are determined by the number of earned points divided by the number of possible points. Each quarter is 20% of your final grade. The midterm and final are worth 10% each. Each quarter I hand out a grade spreadsheet where you can keep track of the assignments and points. For details see handout on grades/grading.

I am here to help you grow as an artist and as a person.  It is my intention to help you as much as I can.  All of you come to this class with different strengths and weaknesses.  Critiques and suggestions are an important part of the growth process.  Communication between you, me, and your parents is very important.  Please feel comfortable enough to come to me with any problems or questions.  I look forward to an exciting year together.