Virtual Art Studio: Middle School

Think art class is only for young children? Think again! The period of early adolescence--when kids make the transition from elementary to middle school--is often considered one of THE most stressful times in the life of any young person. The act of learning about and creating art decreases stress and increases focus and problem solving in people of all ages. So what better time to take a
comprehensive art class than during the middle school years when most kids are stressed out, frustrated, scattered, and overwhelmed?

This fun, ongoing class is designed to teach middle school students about the elements of art: color, value, texture, line, shape, form, and space through age-appropriate, hands-on art projects. Along the way, we will use the Principles of Design to tie the elements together, and learn about famous art masters from the past and the present! All skill levels are welcome in this class, as each project is easily adaptable for all.

I will follow a normal school year, taking an extended winter break. Each week I will post the supplies needed for the next week’s project, so be sure to check announcements weekly!

Note: If you would like this class listed at another time and day, you will need a minimum of 3 students. This can also be set as a private class of 3+ students.

1st Semester:

Unit 1: Color Theory

Week 1 (08/25) :    Introduction to color theory: paint mixing and color combinations, terminology
Week 2 (09/01):     Color wheel designs: exploring hues, tints, and shades
Week 3 (09/08):     Colorful mosaic drawings
Week 4 (09/15):     Impressionism: what the great masters teach us about color through paint

Unit 2: Line & Shape

Week 5 (09/22):     Linear patterns: exploring line with doodles and tangles
Week 6 (09/29):     Integrating math and music: patterns and rhythms in art
Week 7 (10/6):       Using line to create an animal
Week 8 (10/13):     Adding dimension to line: foil, jute, and colors!

Unit 3: Value

Week 9 (10/20) :    Valuable: creating color and gray scales with various techniques 
Week 10 (10/27):   Autumn canvas painting part 1: color blocking
Week 11 (11/03):   Autumn canvas painting part 2: adding shading and details
Week 12 (11/10):   Drawing from life: pencil sketching and shading

Unit 4: Application of Skills

Week 13 (11/17):   Using line, value and color to create perspective
Week 14 (11/24):   Object drawings chalkboard style
Week 15 (12/01):   Winter Village in one-point perspective 
Week 16 (12/08):   Design an Installment (planning and sketching week)
Week 17 (12/15):   Design an Installment (construction week)

No classes from December 22 - January 5

2nd Semester:

Unit 5: Texture & Master Artists

Week 1 (01/12)      The Life of VanGogh: Impasto landscape
Week 2 (01/19).     The Life of Paper Artists Part 1: creating paper collages (Planning week)
Week 3 (01/26)      The Life of Paper Artists Part 2: making objects pop-up (Construction week)
Week 4 (02/02)      The Life of 21st Century Artists: experimentation and innovation

Unit 6: Space (Focus on Architecture)

Week 5 (02/09)      Architecture Part 1: Elevations, 1- and 2-point perspective
Week 6 (02/16)      Architecture Part 2: Designing a tree house
Week 7 (02/23)      Architecture Part 3: Adding the finishing touches
Week 8 (03/02)      Mood Boards 

Unit 7: Form

Week 9 (03/09)      Clay animals 
Week 10 (03/16)    Wire Sculptures (conception week)
Week 11 (03/23)    Wire Sculptures (construction week)
Week 12 (03/30)    Shape vs. Form: learning to make shapes into 3D forms

Unit 8: Application of Skills

Week 13 (04/06)      Self-portraits
Week 14: (04/13)     What a gesture! Basic body drawing
Week 15 (04/20)      Cartooning and Animation drawing
Week 16 (04/27)      Final project and party: Surprise project