8th grade art foundations curriculum

Welcome to Ms. Epp’s 8th grade foundation curriculum. This year will provide a solid basis in drawing, design, and the fine arts. Painting, sculpture, and digital art will be included as well.

 

Introduction

• what kind of artist are you?

 

Unit 1 – Showing ideas visually

•  ASSIGNMENT 1 – Four squares exercise: The purpose of the assignment is to connect a visual image to the expression of a particular concept. Create several solutions for each problem/concept USING ONLY 4 SQUARES AND ONLY BLACK AND WHITE. Choose the best results. (Template) Illustrate four of the following concepts, and push yourself past the easiest visual solution:
  • Order
  • Increase
  • Bold
  • Congested
  • Tension
  • Playful
  • Minimal
  • Intense
  • Examples of possible solutions shown here
•  ASSIGNMENT 2 – Unity & Variety in the One Theme Four Parts exercise:
  • take a theme that has four parts to it (such as the four seasons, four times of day, four chores, etc) and design logos that represent each one. the logos should have many things in common with each other (UNITY) with differences in details to make them more specific (VARIETY)
  • exercise found on page 152 in this book
  • also do the exercises on pages 118 and 152 of this book
•  ASSIGNMENT 3 – Gestalt Theory:   
  • Explanation of Gestalt Theory
  • interactive and here and here
  • examples of college assignment explaining the principles
  • gestalt worksheet
  • Create a poster for the winter middle school band/chorus concert. Use ideas about Similarity, Continuation, Proximity, and Closure in your design.
  • example of white space in poster design 
  • example of using hierarchy with text (which is related to gestalt principles)
  • examples of poster design

 

Unit 2 – Perspective

• learn about six methods of creating space here
• examples of linear and atmospheric perspective, and combining
• aerial/atmospheric and contrast
• examples and here
• instructions
• roof instructions
• ASSIGNMENT 4– Architectural drawing in 2 point perspective 
  • You must have at least 5 boxes touching each other
  • You must use at least 3 architectural details from the handout

 

Unit 3 – Drawing, part 1

•  ASSIGNMENT 7– Contour drawn hand with doodles 
  • we will start with the basics of contour drawing
  • contour examples 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • you will draw your own hand as it holds a pencil on a piece of paper, and then draw doodles coming out of the pencil.
  • doodles done by US Presidents
  • examples 
• ASSIGNMENT 8– Classic draping using VALUE
• • exercise on value and texture and original
  • examples of types of hatching 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Using black and white charcoal, as well as tonal pastels, draw the draped sheet using value to define the folds
  • examples of different types of folds and how to draw them
  • video on drawing with charcoal
• introduction to negative space drawing

 

Unit 4 -  Crash Course in Design Principles

• Introduction to Design
• Principles and Elements of Design
• Simple video about elements of Design
•  ASSIGNMENT 5 – Positive and Negative Space:
  • collage together a background out of magazines or paper you have painted, and then add cut white paper on top like this
•  ASSIGNMENT 6 – Printmaking:
  • learn about cropping, rule of thirds, and asymetrical balance. There will also be a photoshop review.
  • make sure you use some principles and elements of design, such as texture, line, and positive/negative space.
  • produce a one color linoleum print – pay special attention to choosing an image that translates well into a simplified print.

 

Unit 5 – Color In Depth

• Color Theory Explained
• ASSIGNMENT 9– Plant painting using color complements 
  • using drawing skills aquired in unit 3, draw part or all of a plant from the third floor, filling the entire sheet.
  • use the primary colors, plus black and white, to paint your plant image. use complements to create changes in value and intensity.

  

Unit 6 – Form

• learn about six methods of creating space here
• ASSIGNMENT 10– Sculpture 
  • tbd 

 

Unit 7 – Drawing, part 2

• ASSIGNMENT 11- Surreal Still Life 
  • draw the still life set up in the room. then add architectural details (windows, doors, roofs, etc) to turn it into a landscape.
• ASSIGNMENT 12– Cubist Self Portrait 
  • draw yourself from different angles. 
  • more info to come

 

 

 

 Sketchbook Assignments for when there is “nothing to do”

1.  Create “danger signs” for the following situations:       An example is here
2. Start Today projects

 

 

Resources

• Great Graphic Design Site

 

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