Beginning Art

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 landscap

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

“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

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

Master Monday Instructions: Read the short article and  underline any unfamiliar words . Then answer the questions in  complete sentences . BYOB:  Retrato de la Artista Primavera 2020 , 2020 Fridman Gallery Lucia Hierro,  Sufrir o Sofreír , 2019 Courtesy of the artist Lives and works in New York City The title of Lucia Hierro’s series of digitally printed still lifes  “Bodegón”  (2015–present) refers to both the Spanish term for “still life” and the small New York corner shop

📘 Introduction to Shape As defined in Discovering Drawing  (3rd edition) by Sallye Mahan-Cox , a shape  is a two-dimensional area created when a line meets itself or another line. There are two main categories of shape: Geometric Shapes Circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, and other regular forms Precise and structured Often described as man-made  or mathematical Can suggest order, stability, control, or structure Organic Shapes Free-flowing, irregular shapes found in na

Art can be a powerful way to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with a sense of calm. In this project, you will create a visual “Happy Place”  — a space that helps you feel relaxed, grounded, or secure. This does not  need to be a real place. It can be: A real location (a beach, a bedroom, a grandparent’s house) An imagined or fantasy space (a castle, forest, cloud world) A metaphor (sunset, ocean waves, floating shapes, a cozy room) There is no right or wrong happy place  — i

Introduction to Color Theory Color Theory is both the science and art of using color. It explains how humans perceive color; and the visual effects of how colors mix, match or contrast with each other. Color theory also involves the messages colors communicate; and the methods used to create every color in the universe. Essential Question How do artists use color to communicate ideas and express emotion? Mark Rothko was an American abstract painter who revolutionized the de

Introduction to Value Introduction: This week, we will focus on the Element of Art: Value  — the lightness and darkness of tones or colors. In art, creating value is often called shading . Mastering value is essential for creating depth , dimension , and realism  in your work. Learning Goals By the end of this week, you will: Understand what value  means as an element of art. Observe how artists use value to create contrast and depth. Practice shading by creating a 5-point va

#1 Master Monday: Frida Kahlo Frida Kahlo is among the most famous Mexican artists of the 1900s. She was known for her powerful, often unsettling self-portraits that include skulls, daggers, and bleeding hearts. Born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón  in Coyoacán, Mexico, on July 6, 1907, she contracted polio at age 6, leaving her with a limp, and later survived a devastating bus accident at 18 that caused lifelong pain. Encouraged by Diego Rivera (whom she married in

Introduction to the Element of Art: Space Space  in art refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within objects. It helps artists create depth, perspective, and relationships  between shapes and forms. “In a drawing, space refers to the work’s two-dimensional surface area, or picture plane. Because the picture plane is two-dimensional, perspective systems allow artists to mimic how we see and create spatial relationships.”— Discovering Drawing , 3rd Ed

Master Monday: Underline words in the text you are unfamiliar with. Then answer a couple of Questions. Sketchbook Activity 1 Artists - Pablo Picasso and Keith Haring Line drawing has been everywhere for the past couple of years. When you open Instagram, for example, you are almost guaranteed to see minimalist line art tattoos, illustrations, and home decor. While the aesthetic of line art may seem inherently contemporary, it has a rich history that goes back many centuries. T

💡 What This Project Is About For this project, you’ll design your own Graffiti Portfolio Folder  — a creative and personal way to store your artwork for the rest of the semester. This will be your very first mixed-media piece of the year! You’ll learn the basics of graffiti lettering , explore personal symbols , and design a bold cover that represents your identity as an artist. This project combines creativity, organization, and personal expression — all in one. By the end,

💡 What This Project Is About In this project, you’ll create your own Sugar Skull Watercolor Painting  inspired by the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos  ( Day of the Dead ). This tradition celebrates the lives of loved ones who have passed away — not with sadness, but with color, memory, and joy. You’ll learn about the meaning behind Día de los Muertos , explore color and symbolism, and design a sugar skull ( calavera ) that honors someone important to you or celebrates l