INTRODUCTION TO ART 1020

1. INTRODUCTION TO ART 1020 DRAWING FOR NON-MAJORS

2. WELCOME TO DRAWING 1020: Here are 3 things I think you should know! • This is a concurrent enrollment class, which means you can get high school AND college credit for this class – IF YOU ARE ADMITTED TO UVU AND SIGN UP FOR THE CLASS! (We will talk more about this next time). • This is a “COLLEGE CLASS” which means it will go faster than a regular high school class and you will be expected to put in more time out side of class. • However, getting high school and college credit is not what this class is about! In fact, if that is the only reason you are here you should probably just check out now!

3. So, what is this class really about!

4. This is really what this class is about: • Rediscovering your creativity • Finding your “style” • Developing some sweet drawing skills • Using those skills to express yourself in powerful visual images • Rediscover the joy in creating

5. Okay, so what do we actually do in here?

6. We are going to be learning how to really “see” so we can accurately represent that in a drawing.

7. When you learn to “see” like an artist it opens up a whole new world!

8. About half of the class is dedicated to learning and practicing how to draw realistically from close observation.

9. Drawing realistically is a great tool you can use to creating interesting images!

10. I’ll be showing you some tips an tricks to help your drawings look more realistic.

11. It takes a lot of practice but if you have the motor skills to write your name, you can learn to draw realistically!

12. However, I believe learning to draw realistically is not the most important thing you will learn here!

13. Have you ever been talking to someone – explaining what you thought or felt and they totally get it?

14. Expressing yourself visually and having people understand you is just as rewarding (if not more)!

15. So, the other half of the class is taking the skills you have learned and creating interesting, compelling images that have meaning.

16. Taking an idea or feeling and giving it visual form is very rewarding (and therapeutic)!

17. Lastly, I believe we all need to create because we are human – we have been doing it ever since we lived in caves!

18. Drawing is one of the many ways we can create as humans! And it is one way you can do at almost any time, place or age.

19. If you don’t believe me – here are some reasons scientists believe everyone should create (These quotes are from an article called “5 Real Benefits of Creating Art”!) • IT STIMULATES IMAGINATION: “When you have pencil, chalk, brush or another medium in hand, you are opening your mind to new possibilities, which fuels the imagination.”

20. 2. You become more observant! “Artists of all talents and types see the world in different ways. Artists learn to see what’s around them by concentrating on detail, lighting, colors, shape, and so much more.”

21. 3. It Annihilates Stress! “Creating art can do wonders in lowering your stress levels, which leads to an overall improvement in your well-being. Whenever you fully immerse yourself in an artistic endeavor, your mind temporarily forgets all of your worries since your hands and your brain are busy creating something.”

22. 4. It Enhances Your Problem Solving Skills! “Being creative and making art shows us that there is more than one solution to the same problem. It encourages open-ended thinking, and thinking outside of the box helps stimulate your brain to grow new neurons as well.”

23. 5. It Makes You Happier! “When you’re creating art, you actually become happier! Studies have shown that creating art increases the level of dopamine in your brain, which helps to ward off sadness and depression. It also can provide you with a boost to your self-esteem.”

24. So, that is REALLY why we are doing this! (But it is nice that you can get high school and college credit for doing it too!)