This fun weekly art class is perfect for a full art curriculum for homeschoolers or any young artist seeking art enrichment with a variety of art media! Over six weeks, learners will explore interesting contemporary artists such as Sandy Skoglund and Lori Nix. Young artists will learn many new art techniques while creating their own drawings, paintings and sculptures! This course is "Level 8" in the series of art classes that I offer, but it is not necessary for a student to have already taken my other classes before participating in this course!  You may enroll in a different level before or after this class to complete a full semester or more of high quality art education.  

        In this Level 8 class, students will learn one point perspective drawing and shading for 3-D effects with colored pencils and watercolor paint! We will also create a fun 3-D miniature "installation" sculpture and paint a tiger with Sumi-e painting techniques! 

      These projects introduce and reinforce art history, vocabulary and artistic skills that form a strong foundation of knowledge for young artists to progress in their creative development. I have designed these lessons in conjunction with my other classes to provide learners with a comprehensive art curriculum from ages 5-13 that is fun, process-oriented, and fosters personal expression and creativity!

       I focus on building skills, self-confidence, and personal artistic expression in all of my classes.  My teaching style is fun, easy going, patient and encouraging and all levels of artistic ability and experience are welcome and celebrated! 

Day 1: One Point Perspective Drawing
   This project is a fun introduction to one-point perspective drawing and a variety of other techniques! We'll learn what perspective drawing is, and why and how it works! In our first class, we will begin with a presentation and group discussion about perspective drawing and the meaning of one point perspective, including how to use a vanishing point, horizon line, and perspective lines. We will briefly discuss several drawings and photographs to clarify these concepts for learners. We will then work together step by step to draw some basic shapes in one point perspective. Once learners have mastered the techniques for basic and more advanced shapes together as a class, they will be encouraged to use what they have learned to add their own objects, letters, numbers, etc. that have personal significance for them to their drawing. Learners will be encouraged to share what they have created, if desired!

Day 2: Perspective Project 2 - Colored Pencil Techniques
        In our second class, we will begin by briefly reviewing perspective drawing concepts and will also discuss color theory and the use of the color wheel. We will work together step by step to practice colored pencil blending and shading techniques on a separate sheet of paper.  After our practice, students will use what they have learned to add color and details to their perspective drawings. I will demonstrate how to add shading, patterns, and a variety of effects and students may choose to use similar techniques on their artwork or to use other methods to embellish their perspective drawings.  
       
Day 3:  Perspective Project 3- Watercolor Techniques
      To complete this project, we will work together to learn a variety of watercolor paint techniques. We will discuss some possible ideas to use for the background of our perspective drawings. Learners will then use watercolor paint (or another media of their choice) to add details to the background of their artwork. We will also learn how to use one point perspective drawing techniques to create a cityscape from a bird's eye view if time allows. Artists will be encouraged to share and discuss their amazing masterpieces with the class! 

Day 4:  Miniature Installation Sculptures 1
      For this fun sculpture project, we'll be looking at the fascinating installation art and photography of Lori Nix and Sandy Skoglund for inspiration. Today we will brainstorm ideas for our own miniature installations, sketch out a plan and begin constructing the 3-D form for the base of the sculpture.

Day 5: Miniature Installation Sculptures 2
       Using a variety of 2-D and 3-D design techniques, learners will use craft supplies, found objects and their imaginations to finish constructing their installations. Students will be encouraged to share their ideas, discoveries and final masterpieces if desired! 

Day 6:  Tiger Sumi-e Painting
     We will begin by briefly comparing and contrasting examples of traditional Western landscape paintings with traditional Chinese ink paintings and Sumi-e Japanese art.  We will discuss the importance of patience and practice in traditional ink painting and will be practicing the different paint strokes that make up the form of the tiger. Learners will explore the different ways to hold and use their brush to create a variety of strokes with watercolor paint or ink. We will discuss the lifestyle, features and significance of the tiger in Asia as we create paintings using the Sumi-e techniques and our imaginations!