The Art Program consists of courses that develop students' creative abilities and visual communication skills. Students will participate in hands-on art studio, photography lab and computer lab activities that explore the use of a wide variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art materials.
Through individualized and group instruction, art teachers stress the importance of experimentation and balance this with the more guided development of technical skills with specific art materials. The thirteen courses currently being offered by the Art Department have been designed to sharpen students’ critical and creative thinking skills and to increase students’ confidence in their own creativity. All courses fulfill the Fine and Applied Arts graduation requirement.
0601 PHOTOSHOP I (9, 10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (Fulfills one-half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.)
Students will explore the potential of the computer as a visual arts tool. Under the direction of an art instructor, students will use Adobe PhotoShop. The skills that are developed in this course have both fine art and commercial art applications. Students who enroll in this course should have basic computer skills.
0602 PHOTOSHOP II (9, 10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (Prerequisite: Photoshop I with B
or better) (Fulfills one-half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.)
This course is for students who have developed skill in the use of software
such as Adobe PhotoShop. Students will integrate this software to create original
computer art, graphic designs, slide shows, and multi-media presentations. With
the help of the art instructor, students will get a chance to design their own
projects and activities that lead to the development of a digital portfolio.
0635 COMPUTER ANIMATION I (H) (9, 10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (Fulfills one half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.) (Prerequisite: Students who select this course should have a strong comfort level using the PC or Macintosh computer and should be able to demonstrate Adobe PhotoShop skills and other abilities with advanced software. Completion of any art course or computer course at WHS is recommended before taking Computer Animation I.)
This course will allow students to enter the creative world of digital animation through Macromedia Flash and Adobe After Effects software and other hands-on experiences. As the director and producer, students will discover how the principles and concepts of animation are applied to the creation of their own multimedia animation that may integrate sound, music, photography, drawings, video clips, text and other imagery. As students begin to develop production techniques they will focus on creativity, individuality, originality in the formation of their storyline and concept. Animation involves electronic drawing and manipulation of graphics, creating and adjusting frame types, sequencing and regulating timing, adding transitions for scenes, tweening objects for movement, adding special effects, editing and revising frames, and creating front and ending matter. For major animation projects, students will present ideas in a well planned and written format for discussion with the teacher for prior approval. This course will require a variety of outside work, including: reading and writing assignments, research, or other assigned projects. Students will maintain an animation portfolio for assessment and presentation for each quarter.
0636 COMPUTER ANIMATION II (H) (9, 10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (Fulfills one half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.) (Prerequisite: Computer Animation I with a minimum grade of B)
The primary goal for continuing students will be to produce advanced digital animations that are creative, imaginative, and have meaningful plots. As directors and producers, students will continue to develop their production techniques and will apply the fundamental principles of animation to their work. Through the use of Macromedia Flash and Adobe After Effects software animation productions may integrate sounds, music, photography, drawings, video clips, text and other sources of imagery in a highly imaginative manner. Collaborative projects can be developed to focus on specific themes that are unique, artistic, and spontaneous. To be considered as exemplary, students must complete at least one additional animation project that demonstrates exceptional work. This course will require a variety of outside work, including: reading and writing assignments, research, or other assigned projects. Students will maintain an animation portfolio for assessment and presentation for each quarter.
0600 SCULPTURE (9, 10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (This course fulfills one-half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.)
This sculpture course is offered as a one semester, elective for students who enjoy working with sculpture materials. The emphasis is on the development of skills and creativity in the use of clay, pottery, plaster, wood, foam core, found objects, and wire. The course will also reinforce and broaden the student's understanding of the principles of design and the elements of art. The important learning processes of creative problem solving and critical thinking are also emphasized
0606 STUDIO ART I (9,10,11,12) Y 5 (This course fulfills the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.)
Studio Art I is appropriate for all 9-12 grade students. Realistic drawing skills are not necessary to achieve success in this course. This hands-on studio course offers instruction in the fundamentals of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. Studio Art I provides exposure to a wide range of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed-media, digital art and sculpture. This course also offers exposure to art history that supports studio art activities. Both old and new world materials, processes and technologies will be explored. Students will also be introduced to glaze mixing and alterative ceramic firing techniques. Studio Art I is a prerequisite for Studio Art II.
Upon completion of this course students should:
· have developed their drawing and design skills
· have developed technical skills in the use of art materials used in the process of drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed-media. Some of these materials are pencil, paint, pastel, pen and ink, printmaking, collage, clay, wood, wire and found objects.
· have developed a broader understanding of how artists combine skill in the use of art materials with the creative process in order to communicate ideas and feelings.
0607 STUDIO ART II (10, 11, 12) Y 5 (Prerequisite: Studio Art I) (This course fulfills the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.)
This course is for students who wish to continue their exploration of art as a means of visual expression. Students will work with an exciting variety of art materials throughout the year. The emphasis is on individualized instruction which addresses the artistic interests and specific educational needs of each student. In addition to improving their drawing and design skills, students will also be encouraged to communicate their own ideas and feelings. Areas of concentration include drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and mixed-media. Materials include pencil, paint, pastel, pen and ink, collage, watercolor, clay, wood, wire, and found objects. The art experiences offered in Studio Art II have both fine and commercial art applications. Studio Art II may be elected in grades 10, 11, and/or 12 each year for a total of 15 credits.
0608 HONORS ART (H) (11, 12) Y 5 (Prerequisite: B+ in Studio Art II)
This course is for students who have taken at least one year of Studio Art
II and who have identified art as an area in which they have strength and abundant
interest. Some students who elect this course should regard the course as the
first year of a two year process to complete an art portfolio for art school
and/or college admission. A wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional
art materials will be explored in a structured studio setting. Artistic independence
will increase as the year progresses. The course includes field trips to museums
and galleries, and visiting artist and art school presentations.
0609 SENIOR HONORS ART (H) (12) Y/Double - 10 (Prerequisite: Honors Art and
Approval of Director of Art)
The Senior Honors Art course provides a double period of studio art each day for seniors who have demonstrated exceptional ability and interest in visual art. Most Senior Honors Art students have taken a minimum of two years of Studio Art II and/or one year of Honors Art and are expected to have a working understanding of the principles of design and the elements of art. The production and preparation of art work for the student' portfolio is the primary involvement for many Senior Honors Art students in the first semester. The emphasis for each project, however, is on the exploration of ideas and experimentation with art materials. Students receive individualized instruction in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and mixed-media. The course includes field trips to museums and galleries, visiting artist and art school presentations and participation in an end-of-the-year Thesis Honors Art Exhibit.
0605 HONORS PHOTOGRAPHY (H) (11, 12) Y 5 (Prerequisite: B in Photography II) (This course fulfills one-half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.)
This course is for students who have completed Photography I and II and who want to pursue photography as a potential career path as well as a means of personal artistic expression. The Photography Program at Winchester High School has recently expanded to include digital photography. Digital cameras and state-of-the-art computers and software are available to Honors Photography students. This full year course in photography will link traditional black and white photography, color photography, and digital image making. This link will make it possible for students to learn and achieve at very high levels while using state-of-the-art technology that they will find in post-graduate programs.
Another objective of the course will be the development of a portfolio that consists of a concentration of work, that is, a series of images that are connected by a common subject, theme and/or visual element. This portfolio concept will be used to challenge students to push an idea or visual theme as far as they can. The portfolio will also be used for college or art school admission as well as for exhibitions and competitions.
0603 PHOTOGRAPHY I (10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (This course fulfills one-half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement.)
This course offers instruction in basic black and white photography. Students will have full access to a high quality photographic darkroom within the Art Department both during and after school. The course will combine the technical aspects of basic black and white photography with concerns about the photographic image as art. Students will learn how to use a 35 mm manual camera, photographic enlargement and printing techniques, film developing and alternative photographic techniques including solarization, photograms, pin hole camera shooting, and double-exposing.
0604 PHOTOGRAPHY II (10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (Prerequisite: B in Photography I) (Fulfills one-half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement)
This course will provide the opportunity for students who have taken Photography I to explore advanced printing techniques, including color print processing.
While the course will focus primarily on darkroom printing techniques, students will also experiment in alternative photographic processes such as the use of different format cameras, Polaroid imaging and emulsion transfers, cyan-o-type, daylight printing paper and digital imaging.
The photographic image as fine art will be a central concern. Students will be expected to build a photographic portfolio.
0612 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY (10, 11, 12) S 2 1/2 (Prerequisite(s): Photoshop I or Photography I) (Fulfills one-half of the Fine and Applied Arts Graduation Requirement)
Students will learn all phases of digital photography, from exposure/capture to the final output as a printed image and/or a digital image for web presentation. Students will learn the basic camera skills necessary to create successful photographs such as exposure, focus, white balance, and depth of field.
Students will also learn “digital workflow” and this includes downloading their photographs to the computer and editing, processing and preparing them for output using Adobe Photoshop CS2. Students will learn how to make prints using photo inkjet printers and will be able to optimize their photographs for use on the Internet. Students will learn how to present their work using PowerPoint and will study the work of other artists both inside and outside the field of photography. Digital cameras will be available for students to borrow during the course.