Project Blogs

Tempera Paint on Canvas Project Overview In this lesson, students will explore the artwork of David Hockney, a British Pop artist known for his bold use of color, playful approach to perspective, and vibrant landscapes. Inspired by Hockney's paintings of California roads, rolling fields, and simplified forms, students will create their own colorful landscape painting using tempera paint and acrylic paint markers on canvas. Learning Goals Students will: Learn about the life an

Project Overview In this project, you will create a portrait of a human or animal that demonstrates a strong understanding of: Value Stippling (Pointillism) Using only dots, you will create the illusion of form, light, shadow, and texture. Your artwork should show a clear light source and thoughtful use of value to create depth and realism. Learning Goals Students will: Understand the history of Pointillism and Neo-Impressionism. Practice observational drawing skills. Demonst

Project Overview For your midterm, you will demonstrate your understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design learned during the first semester. You will begin by accurately drawing a classroom still life using observation skills such as: Sighting and measuring Object placement Proportion Negative space Observation from life Once your drawing is complete, you will transform it into a finished artwork that demonstrates your understanding of: A medium of your choic

Unit Overview In this unit, students will explore watercolor as a painting medium through technique practice, experimentation, artist studies, and original artwork. Students will learn foundational watercolor skills, experiment with a variety of watercolor effects, and apply these techniques in two major projects inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe and Sonia Delaunay. Students will complete: Watercolor Flower Sketchbook Warm-Up Watercolor Technique Sampler Pages Georgia O’Keeffe Ins

Side Project – Semester 1 Project Overview This long-term project is designed to strengthen your portrait drawing skills while exploring creative ways to use text as a drawing tool. Throughout the semester, you will work on this project whenever you finish another assignment early or have downtime during class. Using a reference photo of your choice, you will create a portrait using a combination of grid drawing, text value, and pen & ink techniques. Instead of shading tradit

Unit Overview The sketchbook is one of the most important tools artists use. Throughout this unit, students will learn how artists use sketchbooks to practice skills, record observations, brainstorm ideas, reflect on their growth, and develop creative habits. Students will personalize their sketchbooks, create organizational systems for daily warm-ups, and complete a decorative name page that showcases their creativity and craftsmanship. Students will explore the elements of

Introduction to Line Project Overview Line is the first of the seven Elements of Art. A line is a mark made by using a tool such as a pen or pencil and dragging it across a surface. Lines can have many different qualities: curved or straight, thick or thin, smooth or rough, heavy or delicate. Artists also use implied lines, which are suggested rather than physically drawn. Implied lines help guide the viewer's eye through an artwork. In this lesson, you will learn about diffe

Project Overview The Elements of Art are the building blocks artists use to create artwork. In this project, you will create one cohesive image that is divided into seven sections, with each section demonstrating one of the seven Elements of Art: Line Shape Form Color Value Texture Space By the end of the project, you will have created a mixed-media artwork that showcases your understanding of each element while maintaining a unified composition. Learning Goals During this pr

If you were absent during or missed work days on your project, you will complete the following critique assignment to make up the points you missed. This critique should be thoughtful, complete, and written in full sentences. Be sure to carefully observe the artwork and reflect on the artistic choices, techniques, and overall impact of the pieces you discuss.

“Your Story, Your Voice, Your Pages” What is a Zine? A zine (pronounced zeen) is a small, self-made book where you have complete creative control. There are no rules, no limits—just your ideas, your style, and your voice. Zines are often: Personal or expressive Handmade or digitally designed A mix of images, text, collage, and design A way to tell a story, share ideas, or explore a theme This is your final project, and it should represent you as an artist. Essential Questions

A Collaborative Chalk Pastel Festival Project You will be working in assigned groups to bring a groovy, large-scale design to life using chalk pastel on a 4 x 5 ft pavement square. This project is inspired by the Italian street painting tradition and our local festival at the Bakersfield Museum of Art (Via Arte). Del Oro has proudly participated for the past three years—now it’s your turn! Essential Question How can artists collaborate to create a unified, large-scale work of

Introduction Our art classes are collaborating with Ms. Cisneros’s English classes to bring poetry to life through illustration. English students have written powerful verse poems inspired by Long Way Down. Your role as an artist is to visually interpret and elevate their words. Project Overview You will be assigned a poem (shared via Google Docs). Read and analyze the poem carefully. Create an original illustration that represents the meaning, mood, and themes of the poem. Y

Introduction You have probably seen Vincent van Gogh’s famous painting The Starry Night, but did you know he was also highly skilled at drawing with pen and ink? Van Gogh created many ink drawings based on his paintings and often sent them to his brother, Theo. These expressive drawings will inspire us as we learn fun and useful ink drawing techniques. Essential Question How can artists use pen, ink, and watercolor techniques to create texture, value, and expressive landscape

Merge of Pop Art & Street Art Introduction: Keith Haring Keith Allen Haring was an American artist whose work grew out of the New York City graffiti scene of the 1980s. His bold, energetic figures and symbols became a universal visual language that communicated messages about love, unity, activism, and social awareness. Haring began by drawing in subway stations and later brought his work to galleries, murals, and public spaces. His art is known for: Bold black lines Brig

Introduction In this project, you will learn about contemporary quilt artist Bisa Butler and her vibrant portrait quilts. Butler uses colorful fabrics to celebrate people and culture. You will create a portrait of someone you admire using fabric, paper, or a combination of both . Instead of drawing with pencils or paint, you will build your portrait using color, pattern, and shape . You will also explore how colors and patterns can carry meaning and help tell a story about

“Creative art is for all time and is therefore independent of time.” — Alma Thomas , 1970 Introduction: Alma Thomas In this lesson, we will learn about the life and artwork of Alma Woodsey Thomas , an African-American artist and teacher who lived and worked in Washington, D.C. She is now recognized as one of the most important American painters of the 20th century. Alma Thomas is best known for her vibrant use of color , pattern , and rhythm , creating abstract works that fee

The following works are some of Holmes's favorites of the 2026 Panorama Invitational, which will be featured in the Jones Gallery at Bakersfield College through March.

Theme: Spring Awakening Spring is a time of growth, renewal, rebirth, and becoming . For this project, you will create an original artwork that responds to the theme Spring Awakening in a way that feels meaningful to you. This is a choice project , meaning you choose your medium and subject , but your work must show planning, intention, and connection to the theme . 🎨 Project Overview You will: Choose a medium you want to work in Research an artist who works in that same m

Introduction to Form This week we will be learning about Form , which is one of the 7 Elements of Art . We can think about form as a three-dimensional shape . Form is defined as having height, width, and depth . In sculpture , forms take up space and are truly three-dimensional. In drawing and painting , forms are created using light and shadow to create the illusion of depth. Just like shapes, forms can be geometric or organic . Learning Goals During this unit, students w

Introduction This week, we will learn about the Element of Art: Texture .Texture refers to the surface quality of an artwork and can be: Actual Texture – texture you can physically feel Implied (Simulated) Texture – texture that looks real but is drawn or painted on a flat surface Learning Goals During this lesson, students will: Learn about the Element of Texture Understand the difference between actual and implied texture Identify and discuss texture in works of art Ap