8th Grade Art
Course Overview
Assignments: Students will work from both observation and imagination. We will be exploring multiple mediums and techniques, so there should be something for everyone. Every project is graded, and all work is eventually returned to students. Due dates are flexible to allow for individual creative style. There is no extra credit.
Art is not just about creating art. It is also focused on our ability to discuss, analyze and critique art, and our understanding of art in the context of history.
Critiques: A critique is an activity where we gather to assess and analyze a fellow artists’ work. It allows the chance to discuss parts of the work that are strong as well as areas that may need improvement. You should be comfortable showing your work to your peers and giving/taking constructive criticism.
Art Room Rules:
· Respect- Respect yourself, each other, materials and fellow artists' workspace and artwork and opinions.
· Effort- Always try your best and do not rush through your work.
· Safety- Use tools, equipment, and area safely and properly.
· Clean up- Clean up promptly after yourself, and help each other.
· Positive Attitude- Accept and learn from mistakes (everyone makes them). Don't be discouraged!
· Please remember that school rules apply in the art room also
Remember to look at the artwork around Beckwith Middle School, the art that is being done by your classmates, and the artwork that may be displayed or hang on walls at home. Don't forget to look for art in other areas of life! Art is all around you!
Art is not just about creating art. It is also focused on our ability to discuss, analyze and critique art, and our understanding of art in the context of history.
Critiques: A critique is an activity where we gather to assess and analyze a fellow artists’ work. It allows the chance to discuss parts of the work that are strong as well as areas that may need improvement. You should be comfortable showing your work to your peers and giving/taking constructive criticism.
Art Room Rules:
· Respect- Respect yourself, each other, materials and fellow artists' workspace and artwork and opinions.
· Effort- Always try your best and do not rush through your work.
· Safety- Use tools, equipment, and area safely and properly.
· Clean up- Clean up promptly after yourself, and help each other.
· Positive Attitude- Accept and learn from mistakes (everyone makes them). Don't be discouraged!
· Please remember that school rules apply in the art room also
Remember to look at the artwork around Beckwith Middle School, the art that is being done by your classmates, and the artwork that may be displayed or hang on walls at home. Don't forget to look for art in other areas of life! Art is all around you!
GRADING:
All large projects will be graded and are worth 100 points. Each of the following categories are worth 20% of the grade. A rubric will be provided for a detailed explanation of each category.
Effort: Work to the best of your abilities and use your time appropriately.
Craftsmanship: Create artwork that shows skill, effort and care.
Use of Materials: Use all materials as instructed, appropriately, and safely
Creativity: Express unique ideas! Dare to be different! Think outside the box!
Directions: Follow directions of assignments and demonstrate techniques instructed.
All large projects will be graded and are worth 100 points. Each of the following categories are worth 20% of the grade. A rubric will be provided for a detailed explanation of each category.
Effort: Work to the best of your abilities and use your time appropriately.
Craftsmanship: Create artwork that shows skill, effort and care.
Use of Materials: Use all materials as instructed, appropriately, and safely
Creativity: Express unique ideas! Dare to be different! Think outside the box!
Directions: Follow directions of assignments and demonstrate techniques instructed.
PROJECTS: (These are the larger more time consuming projects. Students also have a fair amount of choice time and mini projects also.)
Positive/Negative Space
(Positive Space- the subject, foreground shape, Negative Space- the background)
Students view and discuss Rubin's vase, M.C. Escher's tessellations, and logos that play with positive/negative space.
Students choose a shape and trace it multiple times on paper. They are encouraged to consider composition and concepts such as overlapping, translucency, and reversal. Of course artists often spend most of their time on the positive space, so we are reversing the roles for this project the focus becomes the negative space that is filled with tightly packed patterns.
classPPT
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
(Positive Space- the subject, foreground shape, Negative Space- the background)
Students view and discuss Rubin's vase, M.C. Escher's tessellations, and logos that play with positive/negative space.
Students choose a shape and trace it multiple times on paper. They are encouraged to consider composition and concepts such as overlapping, translucency, and reversal. Of course artists often spend most of their time on the positive space, so we are reversing the roles for this project the focus becomes the negative space that is filled with tightly packed patterns.
classPPT
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
Leaf Relief Prints
Students paint leaves white and print on black construction paper. They then add colored pencil to certain sections, still leaving some white and black within the prints. The background is then carefully sponge painted leaving black around the edges to create a bold contrast between the white paint and the black construction paper. Students are also introduced to the history of relief printmaking as well as Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusa.
Relief Printmaking History
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
Students paint leaves white and print on black construction paper. They then add colored pencil to certain sections, still leaving some white and black within the prints. The background is then carefully sponge painted leaving black around the edges to create a bold contrast between the white paint and the black construction paper. Students are also introduced to the history of relief printmaking as well as Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusa.
Relief Printmaking History
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
Calligrams
A calligram is an image made of words. Students view and discuss the artwork of Seattle, WA artist Joni James. Students create their own calligram of their chosen subject matter. Students are encouraged to explore creative ways of using fonts, and also ways of arranging the size and placement words and letters. CalligramPPT
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
A calligram is an image made of words. Students view and discuss the artwork of Seattle, WA artist Joni James. Students create their own calligram of their chosen subject matter. Students are encouraged to explore creative ways of using fonts, and also ways of arranging the size and placement words and letters. CalligramPPT
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
Two-Point Perspective Building
Students view PowerPoint Presentation, and have in depth class discussion about graffiti, and the difference between legal and illegal graffiti. Students create the illusion of space using two point-perspective which involves both art and math concepts. Students create a brick building, and Value use hatching and cross-hatching techniques in the bricks to create value and texture. Graffiti letters are added to the side of the building using oil pastels.
Graffiti PPT
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
Nature Watercolor Pencil
Students choose an object from nature, and using a reference picture draw from observation. The drawing is then shaded using watercolor pencils. Students are asked to carefully consider composition and ways of emphasizing their main subject. Students are shown examples of artists who are well known for using nature as their subject matter (Georgia O'Keefe, Maria Sibylla Merrian, and Peter Blackwell) NatureArtistPPT
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
Fire Prevention Poster Contest
All 8th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in this statewide poster contest. This is in collaboration with Firefighter Randy from the Rehoboth Fire Department. The purpose of this contest is to spread the importance of fire safety and prevention. Both first and second place winners will receive a plaque, a cash prize and the opportunity to attend an award luncheon to honor all winners. In addition, both winners' artwork will be published in the following years calendar! This is an excellent opportunity for students to not only show their creativity but to have their artwork published!