Intermediate Art (aka 2D Art): Christina Williams

Course Overview:

Intermediate Art, or 2D Art as it is currently known, is a mid-level visual art course designed to provide students a chance to continue refining their artistic skills learned from Drawing and Design (a prerequisite). In this class students will continue to develop their art techniques, add to their portfolio, and gain greater mastery in material. Students are encouraged to explore deeper concepts, be more creative, inventive, and original. During the course of the semester we will have one on one and group critiques to further the understanding of being able to talk about art.

Projects will be introduced through lectures, demonstrations, presentations, and classroom discussions.  Homework assignments will be periodically assigned to continue the act of creating art outside the classroom for and from a fresh and different perspective. Class projects will be completed based on the pace of the group. Which is to say that we would not work only one project for the semester if it seemed most people were just taking their time. 

Projects for Fall 2008:

•    Review and Warm Ups; 3-9 Sept
o    Contour line drawing, value, composition, color theory
•    Illustrate the Word; 10 -19 September
o    Crit 22 Sept
•    Redesign the BART map; 23 Sept-7 Oct
o    Crit 8 Oct
•    Linoleum Block Print; 9-21 Oct (color & value in a landscape, object study, or still life)
o    Crit 22-23 Oct
•    Transformations –take an object known for its surface and change it –ie. Egg-smooth, candle-waxy -make it something else; 24 Oct-12 Nov
o    Viewing/Crit 13-14 Nov
•    Non objective piece based on color-field philosophy; 17-21 Nov
o     Crit 8 Dec
•    Exaggerated Perspective in story telling; 24 Nov-10 Dec
o    Crit 11-12 Dec
•    Hands, Head, and Feet; 15-18 Dec
o     Viewing/Crit 19 Dec
•    Design a project



Work will be evaluated on the basis of:
•    Student’s response to and fulfillment of the assignment
•    Quality and presentation of projects
•    Growth and development in concepts, principle, and skills in materials
•    Creativity and originality expressed
•    Class participation, and the ability to meet the deadline
•    Meeting these requirements in full will result in a passing grade


To receive a “B” or better a completed final (end of semester) portfolio must be turned in. A completed portfolio consists of all projects finished, sketchbook(s), and other homework assignments. Each partially finished project turned into the final portfolio will result in a third lowered grade. Each project missing in the final portfolio results in one lowered grade.

This is a portfolio-building course and may be repeated multiple times for credit and as often as the student wishes and can work it into his/her schedule. The projects vary every semester and the teaching staff alternates so the student can receive varied feedback and approaches to making art. Aside from Intermediate Art CPS also offers Advanced Projects and Advanced Placement Studio Art. Advanced Projects is for highly motivated art students who are ready to develop and pursue a self-assigned independent project in visual art. A.P. Studio Art is for students who wish to produce and present a portfolio for A.P. credit and for presentation along with college applications. Requirements for Advanced Projects and A.P. Art are: at least two semesters in intermediate level courses in visual art, presentation of a portfolio and statement of intention, and permission of the visual arts staff. These courses are most commonly taken in the senior year. More information on these advanced level courses is available from the CPS art teachers.


STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students are to participate for the duration of the class period on current projects, critiques, lectures, and/or demonstrations. It is the student’s responsibility to be on time with the necessary materials (sketchbook), exercise good studio habits (keeping area clean and orderly), and turn in completed assignments on time. It is also expected that the student will assume the responsibility to rework, or revise a project based on the suggestions made by the instructor for further enhancement in the creative learning process, there will be assigned days for rework known as catch up days.

Students will accept the responsibility to respect fellow classmates and engage in mature conversation and constructive criticism. Critiques, and most assignments, lectures, and demonstrations will be given at the beginning of class therefore being prompt is of the utmost importance. If there is difficulty meeting any part of the requirements the student is urged to communicate this, as the grade will reflect whether or not these responsibilities have been met.

Music played in the classroom will be chosen or approved at the discretion of the instructor.
Some of the projects that students will explore are:


ATTENDANCE POLICY:
All students are expected to attend and be on time for all classes, assemblies, advisor meetings, class meetings, and forums. Students who are late to school must sign in at the office to avoid being marked absent. The fourth lateness in any one class during a grading period results in an automatic detention. Three such detentions in a grading period will result in a one day suspension. It is highly recommended that if a students must miss class to make prior arrangements with the instructor whenever possible.

OFFICE HOURS:
My office hours are Monday through Friday, 4* period. I am also available to meet at lunch with prior arrangements.


COLLEGE PREP HONOR CODE:

Plagiarism or cheating in all forms is unacceptable. In addition to course penalties specified by the teacher, the teacher will write a report that will go to the Dean of Students. The Dean may also require disciplinary action and/or counseling. A complete statement may be found in the College Prep Handbook.


Some projects that we may explore are listed below. During the first week of school we will also discuss as a class projects that you, the student, would also like to examine and try to incorporate that into the curriculum.

Other Section Resources:

Class Resources

Notes, slide shows, handouts, and other useful items.

Useful Links

A collection of web links relevant to this class.