Elements of Art for Ages 8+
Two great fundamental art classes developed right here by the talented artists at Sienna Ranch!
Elements of Art
Elements of Art classes teach fundamental art concepts and techniques. Form, Line, Shape, Color, Texture, Space, and Value are the topics which students will explore in this series of classes. The goal of Elements of Art classes is to provide students with a foundation of art techniques which will enable them to continue creating beyond their class time at Sienna Ranch. Classes will utilize demonstrations and inspirations from famous artists to inspire children as they work on developing their own indivdual project.
As with all classes at Sienna Ranch, the nature and beauty of the surroundings will be utilized to inspire young artists. Children attending Elements of Art classes will be taught close observation skills as they use the animals, plant life, and landscape views to nurture a strong appreciation for the natural world around us.
Principles of Art
Drawing inspiration from famous artists, students will be introduced to further artistic techniques and concepts which can be applied to their own art. See class by class description to the right.
This class is offered as a part of Sienna Ranch's unique Art and Animals! program. For more information, and to register, go to the Art and Animals! page.
Elements of Art focuses on the basic elements: line, shape, texture, value, form, color, and pattern.
- Exploring "line," contour drawings, observation skills with leaves.
- Investigating "shape;" study the work of artist, Matisse; learn negative and positive space with cutout paper compositions.
- Studying "texture," rubbings of natural textures with Art Stix, collage project.
- Understanding "value," drawing of landscape and trees in charcoal.
- Rendering "form," branches and fruit with chalk pastel.
- Delve into "color," mixed media composition. color wheel
- More about colors, color theory, color mixing, paint with primary colors.
- Create "pattern" using secondary analagous colors, student will mix 2 primary colors to make secondary colors.
Principles of Art introduces the additional art concepts: balance, movement, variety and rhythm, space, contrast and emphasis, proportion, and unity.
Class 1: Balance: Illustrations of formal, informal or radial balance in a composition, student will be drawing with colored pencil. Famous Artist studied: Georgia O'Keefe
Class 2: Movement: How to develop movement in art. Op Art project in pen and ink. Famous Artist studied: Victor Vasarely
Class 3: Variety and Rhythm: Discover simple techniques for adding variety to your art, while using one of the 5 types of rhythm. Students will create a sampler to take home. Famous Artist studied: Wayne Thiebud
Class 4: Space: The importance of positive and negative space in composition will be explored by making a notan with markers.
Class 5: Contrast and Emphasis: How contrast aids in developing a strong focal point. Texture, color and value are used to develop a drawing with Prismacolor Art Stix. Famous artist studied: Andrew Wyeth
Class 6: Proportion: Good proportions will be discussed, abstract design with markers.
Class 7 and 8: Unity (2 weeks): Unity creates a sense of order. Using the principles we have used in this class, students will create a painting for a final project
Student work, 12 years old, horse anatomy.
