What we've been doing...

We began the year with a heavy emphasis on drawing and realism.  Your children are so fun!  I am enjoying getting to know them and spending time with them.  We have all levels of ability in class.  That was a challenge, because I felt we had to begin at the beginning.  Many students with advanced skills got a great review.  In drawing we have covered:

• Contour drawing
• Perspective as a quick review
• Improved line quality
• Various drawing media such as pencil, charcoal, china marker, and white charcoal
• Drawn on various paper types and colors
• Life drawing primarily
• Rendering techniques
• Accuracy
• Negative/Positive space
• Seeing more clearly

I have required accuracy and realism because that is a measurable thing.  We can see if things are drawn accurately.  Later in the school year we will give much more artistic freedom in interpretation.  For now we will continue to work on rendering what we see before us.

We are just beginning painting with acrylics.  It's exciting to move on to something new.  We all began with the monochromatic still life.  Sr high have moved on to painting in full color.  Our focus on this painting from a photograph is to mix the colors as accurately as possible.  This is a slow tedious process, but I feel will be very useful.  The Jr high took two classes to work in colored pencils.  We drew a basket of fruit.  This was a good experiment with color and more easy to manage than a full palette of paint.

Jr high also drew a mannequin still life in pen and ink.  Now we are experimenting with origami.  Several students have great experience in this paper folding and I am allowing them to help demonstrate the basic folds.  This is a new thing for me as well.  I believe it's fun!   

It is a joy teaching your children.    

FABA is the national competition of fine arts through the American Association of Christian Schools.  That competition for us is March 13-14th for Sr high, and April 24-25th for Jr high.  Of course I would like to see them signing up right away for the categories they are willing to participate in.  Any student who wants to work on these projects after school may do so on Mondays.  I will be here until 4:15.  I will offer advice and supplies for those who want or desire.  Please encourage your child to work ahead and not wait until January to begin. 

 Click here for more FABA Rules and Guidelines

HOMEWORK:  ONE SKETCH PER CHILD PER WEEK FROM LIST (DUE MONDAY AND TUESDAY) 

3 Possible points ~ 1-Drawing, 1-From list of required, 1-Full shading, 0-No sketch

HOMEWORK  OR  FABA  HELP :    MONDAY 3:20PM - 4:15PM