All classes meet one double period per week unless otherwise noted. Note: Although the descriptions for many of the art electives are general, it is the teachers’ prerogative to be more specialized in their individual approaches. For instance, the painting and painting/drawing courses have several sections taught by different teachers in the Department. Each teacher guides the curriculum through personal aesthetic passions and interests, while taking into consideration the experiential and technical abilities of each student in the class.

INTRODUCTION TO DRAFTING & MECHANICAL DRAWING

This course is an introduction to the very basics of manual drafting practices and procedures. Although model making will be included in this course, it is primarily a rigorous drawing course. Topics to be covered include the fundamentals of drafting equipment, lettering and symbols, dimensioning, orthographic projections (isometric, axonometric, and multiple point perspective), sectional views and model making.

INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN I

This course introduces and explores some of the basic perspective drawing systems used to translate 3-D architectural forms into a 2-D format (elevations, floor plans, isometric and axonometric). Students progress from rendering simple 3-D elements to designing complex architectural structures within a specific site, eventually learning how to translate their architectural drawings into scale models constructed from cardboard, plaster and wood.

INTRODUCTION TO ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN II

This course is an extension of the introduction to architecture and design course. The course will continue to explore architectural concepts and allow students to gain more confidence and fluency with applying the various projection and mechanical drawing systems to design problems. This is an excellent course to prepare for the more rigorous Advanced Architecture and Design course.

ADVANCED ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN

To enter this rigorous advanced course, students are required to have completed Introduction to Architecture & Design (I and II), or to have gained permission from the instructor. Each student is also required to be skilled in presenting design considerations in plan, section, elevation and axonometric projection drawings. This course explores a variety of architectural/design problems in greater depth than in previous A/D courses. In order to develop skills in 3-D problem solving, model making is a major component of this course.

ANIMATION INTENSIVE

Students in this course will produce an entire short film using characters they create either from clay (Wallace and Gromit) or other sculptural materials, paper cutouts (South Park), traditional drawing, or a combination of these media. They will write the script, build the sets, and shoot each frame with a simple digital camera. Everything comes together in the computer during the editing stage, when the individual frames are combined to produce the effect of fluid motion--music, dialogue, and narration are then added to enhance the story (no previous experience necessary).

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

This is a photography course that explores image making through an entirely digital format. Along with using digital cameras, the course relies on the computer to refine and manipulate images that are then produced through a digital printer. No photography experience is necessary.

ADVANCED DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Advanced Digital Photography builds on the ideas presented in Introduction to Digital Photography. Students will explore how to nuance their images to move beyond the real—to understand how to use light to generate a variety of visual, psychological and conceptual effects. Class assignments pursue alternate approaches to the organization of information: maps, diagrams, indexes and encyclopedias. Over the course of the year, two separate portfolios of photos will be generated (one for each semester). We will draw inspiration from master manipulators (such as Hiro, Jeff Wall, Thomas Demand, Ryszard Horowitz and Philippe Halsman), as well as more experimental images found in print advertising. A solid understanding of how to use an SLR camera in manual mode is required. Students must have completed the introductory course.

DRAWING

This class investigates ideas about drawing, using a variety of media and surfaces. Observation, perception, composition, and the language of mark making are stressed. The course moves beyond the pencil to delve into charcoal, pastel, ink, tonal and color washes, watercolor, clay, colored paper, and digital technology as a means to develop an expressive personal vocabulary.

FIGURE DRAWING

This class in drawing from the life model uses anatomical exercises studying the skeleton, muscles and organs to convey an understanding of forms and shapes that make and influence our positions and motions. There is attention to anatomy and proportion and to ways of describing contour and form through the study of light, shadow and movement.

ILLUSTRATION & DESIGN

In Illustration & Design, students are challenged to generate work using their own visual vocabularies. Class assignments will include: designing letters and alphabets, "one-liner" comics, abstract collages, maps (of dwellings, caves, video games). The course will also explore other multi-media such as abstract video slideshows that accompany pieces of music. Projects will allow students to explore a range of materials and formats.

PAINTING

This course is an exploration, through a variety of painting media, of pictorial construction, color, composition and conception.

PAINTING INTENSIVE

See Painting. Offered in an intensive format of two double periods a week. Permission of the instructor is required.

PAINTING & DRAWING

An exploration of pictorial life—how drawing begins, its development, manifestation and transmutation. An alchemical approach to picture making: experimentation with content in a variety of styles and media toward the development of a personal vision.

PHOTOGRAPHY I

A beginning course introducing the student to photographic techniques and visual skills. Starting with the basics of exposure—film speed, shutter speed, and aperture—we learn to process film and make contact sheets, test strips, work prints, and exhibition-sized final prints. Assignments require work outside class. Open to 10th graders and above.

PHOTOGRAPHY II

A continuation of Photo 1, with emphasis on expanding and refining technical abilities: in the camera by using depth-of-field, in film processing by learning to manipulate film speed, and in the darkroom by dodging and burning. Assignments require work outside class. Prerequisite: Photography I

PRINTMAKING

This is a broad course that combines various screen printing techniques with relief printing (linoleum, woodblock and intaglio techniques). The premise is to evolve imagery from an understanding of the character of these processes.

PRINTMAKING: POSTERS

This course is devoted to poster design and production. A historical survey of poster designs includes: Japanese nineteenth century playbills, Polish circus posters, Mexican revolutionary leaflets, rock posters of the sixties, and more. This course also works with the Theater Department to produce the posters for school productions throughout the year. Various printing techniques are explored.

CERAMIC SCULPTURE

Not a pottery course. We explore basic clay building techniques such as coil, slab and pinchpot to generate functional and non-functional sculpture. Various surface treatments are investigated: stain, paint, and glazes. Students develop a body of work reflecting an eclectic variety of sources and themes: personal, historical, geometric and organic form, human and animal figure, narrative relief, architecture.

SCULPTURE

A broad course for both beginning and advanced students. The class investigates the three-dimensional form as a medium for self-expression. This exploration uses a variety of sculptural techniques and materials, such as modeling from life in clay and wax, plaster casting and carving, and wood constructions.