Description
Art 1 – Mixed Media & Art 2 – Advanced Art
This full-year art course is designed to help students grow as artists through guided instruction, hands-on practice, and creative exploration. Students may enroll for the Fall semester (Art 1), the Spring semester (Art 2), or both for a complete year-long experience.
Drawing is a teachable skill that anyone can learn. This course emphasizes creativity, confidence, and skill development in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Fall Semester – Art 1: Mixed Media
Art 1 is ideal for beginners and developing artists. Students draw along with the instructor using a step-by-step approach that builds skills gradually and encourages self-expression.
Students learn to identify and use the Five Basic Elements of Shape to create realistic drawings piece by piece. Lessons explore a wide variety of drawing styles, artists, and cultural influences while working with mixed media.
Subjects may include wildlife, nature, still life, architecture, proportion, and color theory. Each semester features new projects and techniques.
“Claire has really been enjoying this class! We’ve tried co-ops, local art teachers, and even middle school classes at the local university, but nothing clicked until now. The projects she’s done have been so impressive, and I can already see her skills improving.”
— Jill, Parent
Recommended Grade Levels
- 6th – 12th grade
High School Credit
- 0.5 credit (Fall semester)
Spring Semester – Art 2: Advanced Art
Art 2 is designed for students who are more confident in their drawing ability and ready to explore more advanced techniques. This course allows for greater independence and personal artistic expression.
Students develop skills in sketching, shading, blending, cross-hatching, perspective, and composition. Rather than following rigid guidelines, students design their own compositions while experimenting with multiple media and artistic styles.
Projects may include studies in nature, still life, architectural structures, perspective, and proportion. Lessons vary from semester to semester.
Recommended Grade Levels
- 6th – 12th grade
High School Credit
- 0.5 credit (Spring semester)
Materials
Students will use a variety of common art supplies throughout the year. Most materials are reused across projects.
- Black permanent markers (fine & ultra-fine)
- Colored markers (Prismacolor recommended; Crayola acceptable)
- Colored pencils (Prismacolor recommended)
- Graphite pencils (6B, H, or HB)
- Kneaded eraser and art eraser (Magic Rub)
- Crayons
- Watercolor pencils
- Watercolor paint
- Acrylic paint
- Oil pastels
- Soft chalk pastels
- Art paper (cardstock or Bristol; textured paper such as Canson)
- Watercolor paper
- Canvas paper (optional)
- Round and flat paint brushes
- Workable fixatif (optional)
Homework & Workload
Students are not assigned traditional homework. Most work is completed during live class time. Occasionally, students may need to finish a project outside of class if it was not completed during the session.
Students submit photos or scans of completed artwork for assessment. There are no quizzes; assessment is project-based and summative.
