Welcome Art and Sculpture Students

Find a seat and lets get started!

Seating

• There is NO arranged seating chart in my classroom• Feel free to sit wherever and with whomever you like• However! Be aware that I reserve the right to move you

whenever I choose– Sit next to students you know you can work around– If I feel your work is suffering, I will scramble the seating until no

one’s happy!• Art 3 students: You will be sitting together at one of the

two tables farthest from my desk– This will make it easier for me to help you on more complex

projects– I also trust you to be able to do your work without needing me

to watch over you like a hawk

Let Me Introduce Myself

• My name is Mr. Thomas– You may call me Mr. Thomas– Though I’m sure nick names will develop as the year goes on, they

always do• I teach both Art and Sculpture here at St. Bonaventure• I’ve been a “life long artist”

– That term is kind of silly– I’ve been drawing since I was a child– Started painting in High School and College– I prefer pencil sketches, Oil Painting, Clay and Metal sculpture work

• I have a Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts• If you’re curious, I can show you my own Artwork in the future

Warnings• We will cover topics in my class that might offend you in some way,

shape or form– I’m not afraid to speak my mind, just ask former students

• The majority of art from history features both female and male nudity– I’m not naïve, most of you have seen much worse

• For example, if you’ve ever done a Google image search with Safe Search off…

– If I feel your class isn’t showing the proper maturity when encountering this material, I will censor it!• See example… Michelangelo’s David

• I will talk about a variety of topics, including religion, war, propaganda, sexism, racism, homophobia and a variety of other topics– I will give you both facts and my opinion on all of these topics– You always have a right to disagree with me!

• If I offend you, please talk to me about it directly– I’d rather we solve problems within our classroom community– To truly experience Art, we need the freedom to talk about a variety of

challenging topics

Class Information• My class works differently then other high school classes• You will be given a number of privileges and freedoms

right from the beginning of the year that you may not be used to

• I prefer a busy, noisy classroom MOST of the time– If we’re making artwork in class, you may talk to your friends

freely– I will regularly play music during our in class work time as well– You are also free to bring in headphones and listen to your

own music while you work • However, there are strict rules for us to follow if you

expect to keep these privileges and freedoms!

The Rules• In return for the extra privileges I will give you, I expect your RESPECT in

return. • When I am teaching, you need to be quiet!

– Meaning that when I start speaking to the class, your personal conversations with peers ends immediately.

– If you’re listening to music, turn it off and put your ear buds down. – I will tolerate thoughtful questions and even an occasional joke, but do not push it

• Before you start an art project, you will follow the steps I will teach you. These include…– Putting your full name, date and class period on your artwork– Using the materials provided for their intended purpose– Turning in your artwork on time and in the proper place

• Clean up after yourself each and every day! – Your shared art materials go back where you got them– Both your artwork and sketch pad go back into your cubby– You will regularly have multiple days to complete a piece of art, so store your work in

a place where it’s easily found

Breaking Rules• Failure to follow my rules can result in any number of

“punishments”• First and foremost, detention!

– It’s quick, easy and painless for me– I don’t give detention easily– Trust me, when you get a detention, you will have deserved it

• I also reserve the right to give and take away any privileges I choose– We can work in silence if need be

• No talking• No music

• Lastly, letters home to your parents– It’s my least preferred method of punishment, but if necessary, we will

get your parents involved– I’d much rather treat you as the young adults you are, so we will try to

take care of our problems directly in class

Classroom Cubbies

• Everyone in the class will be assigned a cubby hole in the classroom to keep your supplies in

• I’ll point them out to you• You may pick a partner to share a cubby with• If you have trouble picking, I will assign you to another class

member• This isn’t a popularity contest, it’s just where you keep your class

materials• When you get a sketchbook or any other supplies, keep them in

your cubby• Please write down the number and letter of your cubby!• I will also record who is in what cubby for my own records

Name Tags• Task number one…• I need to learn your names!• I will pass out paper to you…

– Step 1: Fold the paper in half Length Wise• Also known as “Portrait” or “Hotdog” if you’re a child

– Step 2: Write your FIRST name LEGIBLY in large letters• The point is for me to read it, not to show off your fancy cursive handwriting

– Step 3: Go crazy with the creativity• Do not cover up your name! Other than that, express yourself

• We will keep these inside your assigned classroom Cubby so we don’t lose them.

• Place them in front of you on your table at the beginning of each class!

• I’ll learn your names as quickly as I can and these will help, but please give me a break. There are a hundred or so of you to remember each year. I’ll get it, just try not to be offended if I mess up occasionally.

Morning Sketch• Please come up and get a piece of scratch paper to

complete your first drawing• This assignment will normally be drawn in your sketch

books• If you already have a sketch book, good job!

• Date: 8-21-14

• Draw a mythological creature doing something you did over summer break…– A griffon going mountain bike riding– A unicorn playing in the ocean– A giant playing riding the Tea Cups at Disneyland

Some Classroom Business• I have two things to take care of this morning• We need to write a list of which cubby (supply box)

belongs to which student– I will pass around a small note pad– Please write you and your partner’s name next to your cubby

number/letter– Try to go in order! I will be writing these into a word

document and it’s easier for me if it’s in numerical order• I will also be making my seating chart today– Your name tag should be in front of you on your desk– Make sure you’re sitting where you want to stay for the year– I’m willing to change your seats in the future, but for now,

this is your assigned seating

Grading• I do not expect you to be good at Art when you enter my

class– Some of you already enjoy Art– Many of you might not draw at all and took my class because

you were embarrassed to dance• I grade based mainly on effort

– This means that as long as you use your in-class time wisely and work hard on your assignments, you will do just fine

• During your average week, you will have an opportunity to earn 35 points total– 20 points per weekly assignment– 5 points per weekly quiz – Both vocabulary and art history– 10 points for weekly participation

What is Art?• You tell me!

• Can you explain what Art actually is?

• What is Art’s purpose in culture? • Why did we start making Art?

• Why do we still make it?

Here’s My Speech• What’s the point of Art?• In High School

– Self expression– Doing something for yourself

• Art isn’t a team sport (mostly)

• In the Real World– Art is culture

• it’s a visual, tactile or auditory memory of history• Told through the prism of the human mind

– Art is a profession• Actors, writers, musicians, comedians, you name it, they are all ARTISTS

– It’s also 90% of the entertainment you consume• Moves, TV, Video Games, Music

• Make Art!– Some of you may never pick up a paint brush or sculpting tool again– That’s ok!– But you need to make Art in a different way– Find a creative outlet in your life!– It’ll help you feel accomplished for the rest of your life

Hello Art 3• Don’t think I forgot about you…• Despite being in the same class as Art 1 students, you will be creating

different work than them– Your assignments will mirror them, but be far more complex

• I expect better, more well thought out artwork from you than from my beginners

• To do this, you will need to be able to work independently…– This means you will often need to do independent research about future projects– I will often speak to you about your assignments on Fridays to give you the weekend

to research and plan• I will always be here to help and encourage you, but you must be self-

motivated if you hope to succeed• The goal of this year is to complete a large amount of stand out artwork that

we could use to create a portfolio• Portfolios are a collection of your best artwork that can be sent to colleges or

potential employers!– That’s how you get into an art college or get a job in the art world

Morning Sketch• 8-22-14

• Draw a symbol that represents you in some way…– Do you know what a “symbol” is?• Think of the golden arches for McDonalds• All sports teams have a symbol as well

– Think of your interests, maybe combine different things you like to make something about you

Free Draw• You will have the next 30 minutes to draw

anything you want• Feel free to look up something to draw on your

phone, but be quick about it!• I will be collecting these drawings at the end of

the period• This will help me gauge your current level of

artistic ability

Advanced Stick Figures

• I don’t like stick figures!– They’re boring

• Some of you will rely on them when doing your morning sketches– This goes for Art and Sculpture students

• So I’m going to teach you two different ways to draw the human figure– Jointed Stick figures with bubble muscles– Star people

• Both of these methods are more expressive than regular stick people

• Please watch me and follow along in your sketchbooks

Art 3 Assignment• We will begin the year with Perspective• You remember 1 and 2 point perspective?

– I’ll show you a few pictures just to remind you• This year, we will be doing 2 point perspective to start with

– You should already be familiar with it, we did it last year– BUT! Considering you’re Art 3 students, I expect a more complex version

• This weekend, look up an explanation of 2 point perspective – It’s also worth a Google Image search to get a better idea of what I’m asking for– Perhaps try to do something other than a street corner?– The interior or exterior of a house would be a fun challenge

• Come to class next week with a basic understanding– We will begin the week by doing small, thumbnail sketches to give you an idea

of what your final picture will look like– Expect this thumbnail process for most of your projects– It’s always better to plan before you begin your final work

• “Look before you leap!”

Syllabus Review• You can read the syllabus on your own time• It needs to be read and signed by your parents• I need the signed syllabus returned to me by Friday of next

week• Materials!

– You need a Sketch Book by Monday of next week• Sketchbooks need to be spiral bound or stitched• Cheap Glued sketch books are NOT acceptable• They cost around 5$ at any Art Store

– Both Aaron Brothers and Michaels can be found locally

– You also need a Pencil• Regular no. 2 pencils will work for now• If you enjoy drawing, I would suggest you purchase a small set of sketch

pencils, ranging from 4H to 6B• If you’d like more information about which to buy, just ask