ART I
INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL ARTS
INTRODUCTION TO VISUAL ARTS
We changed the Alex Hanscom Memorial Scholarship his year to included an athlete and art student.
The Alexandra Hanscom Memorial Scholarship Fund is awarded to a two-sport female senior for four years
and have taken two years of Art including Advanced Art.
If you have any questions, please contact the Future Planning Center.
No Prerequisite ~ .5 credit Fee $20...This class is prerequisite to ALL PHS art classes
ART I: Drawing Skills
Course Overview
Art I is a skill-building drawing course designed to strengthen foundational techniques while encouraging creativity and personal expression. The primary focus will be on Value and Shading, with additional exploration of the Principles of Design. Students will work with a variety of black-and-white drawing media, including pencil, charcoal, and ink, while learning and refining essential drawing techniques.
The course also introduces a conceptual framework for critical analysis and basic art theory to help students evaluate and discuss both their own work and that of others.
Class Activities
Artistic growth looks different for every student, but it can only be achieved through consistent practice and effort. Each assignment is designed to encourage genuine learning and skill development—not busywork. The effort students invest in class directly determines the progress they achieve.
Course Fee & Supplies ($20)
The fee covers the following supplies:
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism—the act of presenting someone else’s work as your own—will not be tolerated. Submitting another student’s work, removing a name, or turning in copied artwork will result in a zero that cannot be made up. A referral will also be documented. A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course.
AI Use Policy
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or software to generate, trace, or alter artwork is strictly forbidden. All assignments must represent the student’s own original effort and skill development. Any work found to be created with or significantly aided by AI will receive a zero, and the student will be required to redo the work, with a maximum possible grade of B. Repeated offenses will result in a zero with no opportunity for makeup.
Tracing or projecting Policy
Tracing is not permitted, as it prevents the development of essential drawing skills. If a student is caught tracing, the assignment will receive a zero, and the student will be required to redo the work, with a maximum possible grade of B. Repeated offenses will result in a zero with no opportunity for makeup.
Course Overview
Art I is a skill-building drawing course designed to strengthen foundational techniques while encouraging creativity and personal expression. The primary focus will be on Value and Shading, with additional exploration of the Principles of Design. Students will work with a variety of black-and-white drawing media, including pencil, charcoal, and ink, while learning and refining essential drawing techniques.
The course also introduces a conceptual framework for critical analysis and basic art theory to help students evaluate and discuss both their own work and that of others.
Class Activities
- Warm-Up Drawings: On extended class periods, students will spend 10–15 minutes drawing continuously from direct observation. The focus is on quality and observation skills, not speed or quantity.
- Basics: Foundational exercises introduce new skills, materials, techniques, and concepts.
- Projects: Students apply newly acquired skills to complete finished works of art. Each project builds on previous skills, meaning consistent participation and practice are essential for long-term growth.
- Homework: Homework assignments are designed to reinforce skills learned in class while fostering creativity and strong composition. Students are expected to dedicate at least one hour per week to practice outside the classroom. A typical homework assignment will ask students to create an original composition by imaginatively combining three unrelated objects. All students are expected to use reference materials when completing their work. Students will participate in constructive critiques to develop vocabulary, critical thinking, and the ability to analyze works of art.
Artistic growth looks different for every student, but it can only be achieved through consistent practice and effort. Each assignment is designed to encourage genuine learning and skill development—not busywork. The effort students invest in class directly determines the progress they achieve.
Course Fee & Supplies ($20)
The fee covers the following supplies:
- 6B graphite pencil
- Mars plastic eraser
- blending stump
- 8.5 x 11 sketchbook
- Two Sharpie pens (varied tip sizes)
- 6B charcoal pencil
- White charcoal pencil
- A variety of drawing paper
Academic Integrity
Plagiarism—the act of presenting someone else’s work as your own—will not be tolerated. Submitting another student’s work, removing a name, or turning in copied artwork will result in a zero that cannot be made up. A referral will also be documented. A second offense will result in a failing grade for the course.
AI Use Policy
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools or software to generate, trace, or alter artwork is strictly forbidden. All assignments must represent the student’s own original effort and skill development. Any work found to be created with or significantly aided by AI will receive a zero, and the student will be required to redo the work, with a maximum possible grade of B. Repeated offenses will result in a zero with no opportunity for makeup.
Tracing or projecting Policy
Tracing is not permitted, as it prevents the development of essential drawing skills. If a student is caught tracing, the assignment will receive a zero, and the student will be required to redo the work, with a maximum possible grade of B. Repeated offenses will result in a zero with no opportunity for makeup.
