My Voice, My Story: Using Visual Arts to Make Your Mark
Learn how to use art materials and creative techniques to express what you feel and how you think.
What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
This course is for middle school students who want to make their mark on the world. Over six-weeks we will help students develop their unique visual style and give them a platform to express their authentic selves. Students will learn how to use the Elements of Art and Principles of Design to create compelling artwork. They will explore a range of drawing and painting techniques as they study line, shape, color, pattern, and more. Students will study how artists across cultures have created their own distinctive visual styles. We will work closely with students to discover what is important to them and empower students to use their experiences as inspiration for their work. Students will use the skills they learn in this course to create a final piece that expresses who they are as unique individuals. Week 1: Students will use the Elements of Art (Drawing using Line, shape, color, form, value, texture) to create personal forms in a space. Week 2: Students will use the Principles of Design (balance, movement, pattern, proportion, rhythm) and begin to use it to construct a personal language. Week 3: Students will learn to use color as a form of expression and see how artists from all cultures have used color as expressive means. Week 4: Students will create an emotional self portrait. Designed to express who students authentically are in addition to capturing a visual likeness. Week 5: Students will use all the tools we have worked with previously to create their own visual story. Week 6: Students will participate in a class critique with their instructor and fellow classmates. Our teaching approach combines technical artistic skill-building with an emphasis on personal reflection and social emotional work. Each session will consist of facilitator led content, large group discussions, and individual work. Our teaching approach combines technical artistic skillbuilding with an emphasis on personal reflection and social emotional work. Each session will consist of facilitator led content, large group discussions, and individual work.
Learning Goals
This course is designed to let the students choose the subject and style of their personal work. All instruction will be to use concepts and techniques to expand the students’ personal and natural artistic tendencies.
Week 1: Students will use the Elements of Art (Drawing using Line, shape, color, form, value, texture) to create personal forms in a space.
Week 2: Students will use the Principles of Design (balance, movement, pattern, proportion, rhythm) and begin to use it to construct a personal language.
Week 3: Students will learn to use color as a form of expression and see how artists from all cultures have used color as expressive means.
Week 4: Students will create an emotional self portrait. Designed to express who students authentically are in addition to capturing a visual likeness.
Week 5: Students will use all the tools we have worked with previously to create their own visual story.
Week 6: Students will participate in a class critique with their instructor and fellow classmates.
Other Details
Supply List
Students will need the following items to complete the course. Week 1: - Pencils - Erasers - 9” x 12” Drawing Paper Pad or equivalent (We suggest Canson XL Mix Media Pad - 12'' x 9'' $11.62 https://www.dickblick.com/products/canson-xl-mix-media-pads/) Following Weeks: - Acrylic Paint set - at least 4 oz tubes (we suggest Liquitex Basics Acrylic Set - Set of 6, 4 oz Tubes $22.67 https://www.dickblick.com/products/liquitex-professional-heavy-body-acrylics/) - Paint brush set (We suggest Princeton 9100 brush set of 4 $7.85 https://www.dickblick.com/products/princeton-summit-series-6850-white-soft-synthetic-brushes/) - Palette knife (We suggest the Blick palette knife $3.48)https://www.dickblick.com/products/blick-palette-knife/ - Disposable Paint Palette https://www.dickblick.com/products/toss-paint-plates-disposable-palettes/ - 16” x 20” Canvas paper ( we suggest Fredrix 3501 Canvas Pads, 12 by 16-Inch) https://www.amazon.com/Fredrix-3501-Canvas-Pads-16-Inch/dp/B000YQGG3A( $17.43)
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined October, 2020
Teacher expertise and credentials
Mark LaRiviere is a master art teacher and sculptor living in New York City. For over 25 years Mark has taught children across the country how to express themselves through art. When he is not teaching, Mark shows his work regularly in galleries and museums across the New York region. Reviews
Live Group Class
$150
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 10-13
2-9 learners per class
