Basics are used to introduce new skills, mediums, techniques, and concepts.  Basics will be done before each project that introduces a new concept.  

Quarter 1

Line and Shape Basics 

.Elements:
LINE: The path of a moving point.
SHAPE: When a line begins and ends in the same spot.

Principles:
PATTERN: How a surface space is decorated.
RHYTHM: Repetition of an ELEMENT.
CONTRAST: When opposites are placed next to each other.
EMPHASIS: Making one part more important than the other.  

Other Vocabulary:
ORGANIC: are the types of lines and shapes found in nature. They are irregular, curved, and often fluid. They convey a sense of gracefulness, dynamism, and spontaneity.
GEOMETRIC: lines and shapes have regularity and hard or sharp edges. True geometric lines are rarely found in nature, but often found in man-made constructions. They convey a sense of order, conformity, and reliability.
  • Fill the first 4 boxes with LINE PATTERNS.  Two boxes using ORGANIC line patterns and two boxes using GEOMETRIC line patterns.  
  • Fill boxes 5-8 with SHAPE PATTERNS.  Two boxes using ORGANIC shape patterns and two boxes using GEOMETRIC shape patterns.  
  • Fill boxes 9-12 with four different type of checkerboard patterns.  Demonstrated in class. 
  • In boxes 13 and 14 practice camouflaging two different types of 2D shapes into two different types of checkerboard patterns. 
  • In boxes 15 and 16 practice camouflaging two different types of 3D shapes into two different types of checkerboard patterns. 
The boxes 13-16 in the example only show the use of one basic checkerboard pattern.  Students need to demonstrate two.

Graphite Basics

Elements:
Value: The range of light to dark in a drawing. The two extreme values are black (very dark) and white (very light).

A painting or drawing with only mid-tones risks being flat and dull. Value or tonal contrast creates visual interest or excitement in a work of art. A high-key drawing is one in which the contrasts in value are extreme, from black right through the range of mid-tones down to white. A low-key drawing is one in which the value range is narrower.

For purposes of this class students are asked to work in three equal parts: 1/3 darks, 1/3 medium, and 1/3 light values (including white) in all drawings.  Starting with these "basics", VALUE will be an extremely important part of all following assignments and HW.  ​
  • Value Scale
  • Sphere
  • Cone
  • Cylinder 
  • Cube

Draw shapes and table lines lightly with a #2 pencil to avoid a dark lines you can't get rid of.   

No outlines.  All edges are changes in value.  

Value:   The scale should have a clear and distinct difference  between each box.  Use the entire value scale in each shape.  All shapes need 1/3 dark, 1/3 medium and 1/3 light VALUE including white.

Charcoal Basics

Elements:
Value: The range of light to dark in a drawing. The two extreme values are black (very dark) and white (very light).

A painting or drawing with only mid-tones risks being flat and dull. Value or tonal contrast creates visual interest or excitement in a work of art. A high-key drawing is one in which the contrasts in value are extreme, from black right through the range of mid-tones down to white. A low-key drawing is one in which the value range is narrower.

Using Black Charcoal:
For purposes of this class students are asked to work in three equal parts: 1/3 darks, 1/3 medium, and 1/3 light values (including white) in all drawings.  Starting with these "basics", VALUE will be an extremely important part of all following assignments and HW.  ​
  • Value Scale
  • Sphere
  • Cone
  • Cylinder 

Repeat shapes using HATCHING as a form of mark making.   

Repeat ALL Using WHITE CHARCOAL.  Students are asked to think "highlighting" instead of "shading" when using white charcoal.  

Quarter 2

Stipple Basics 

Elements:
Value: The range of light to dark in a drawing. The two extreme values are black (very dark) and white (very light).

A painting or drawing with only mid-tones risks being flat and dull. Value or tonal contrast creates visual interest or excitement in a work of art. A high-key drawing is one in which the contrasts in value are extreme, from black right through the range of mid-tones down to white. A low-key drawing is one in which the value range is narrower.

Stipple is a form of mark making.  Student will use a sharpie to make small dots for all values including black.  

For purposes of this class students are asked to work in three equal parts: 1/3 darks, 1/3 medium, and 1/3 light values (including white) in all drawings.  Starting with these "basics", VALUE will be an extremely important part of all following assignments and HW.  ​
  • Value Scale
  • Sphere
  • Cone
  • Cube