Welcome Art and Sculpture Students

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

Welcome Art and Sculpture Students