Fundamentals of Art Syllabus
ELHS.23.0.1
Course Description
Fundamentals of Art, a one-semester course, introduces high school students to the theory and practice of art. In this
course, the elements of art (line, color, shape/form, space, value, and texture) and the principles of art (balance,
harmony, unity, emphasis, repetition, rhythm, contrast, and composition) are discussed and demonstrated through
the incorporation of famous works of art as well as with the use of interactive graphics and activities.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
•
•
•
•
define and identify examples of each of the elements of art (line, color, shape/form, space, value, and
texture)
define and identify examples of each of the principles of art (balance, harmony, unity, emphasis, repetition,
rhythm, contrast, and composition)
identify various famous works of art
identify various types of perspective
*NOTE: The suggested time frame for the completion of each unit is just an estimate. You may work on each unit at
your own pace, but keep in mind that you must finish the entire course within the time specified by your school
district.
Unit 1: The Language of Art
(Week 1)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
define various terms used in art
describe the elements and principles of art and how they influence compositions
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Unit 1 Introduction: The Language of Art
What is Art? - Video
The Terms of Art: Composition
The Terms of Art: Dimension
The Terms of Art: Planes, Centuries, and Studies
The Terms of Art: Media and Paintings
The Terms of Art: Sculptures, Drawings, and Paintings
Assignments:
Unit 1 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 1 Test: The Language of Art
Exam
14 points
Unit 2: Perspective: A Point of View (Week 2)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
explain the basics of perspective and how the use of atmospheric and linear perspective affects
compositional structure
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Unit 2 Introduction: Perspective: A Point of View
Atmospheric and Linear Perspective
One- and Two-point Perspective
Horizon Line and Vanishing Point
Foreshortening
Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning by Camille Pissarro
Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Lake George by John Frederick Kensett
Assignments:
Unit 2 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 2 Test: Perspective
Exam
14 points
Unit 3: Elements of Art—Space (Week 3)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
describe how artists use many different techniques to create the illusion of depth and space within
compositions
Lessons:
1. Unit 3 Introduction: Elements of Art - Space
2. Space
3. Atmospheric Perspective
4. Object Placement
5. Overlapping
6. Linear Perspective
7. Madonna and Child, Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
8. Road to Calvary by Pieter Brueghel I
9. View of the Tower of London by Wenceslaus Hollar
10. Elements of Art – Space Review
Assignments:
Unit 3 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 3 Test: Elements of Art - Space
Exam
14 points
Unit 4: Elements of Art—Line (Week 4)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
differentiate between various types of lines
describe how various types of lines affect artistic compositions
Lessons:
1. Unit 4 Introduction: Elements of Art – Line
2. Lines
3. Types of Lines
4. Arrangement of Verticals in Yellow by Frantisek Kupka
5. Virgin and Child by Andrea Mantegna
6. The Races by Edouard Manet
7. Urnes-style carved wooden door
8. Studies for the Libyan Sibyl by Michelangelo Buonarroti
9. Newburyport Meadows by Martin Johnson Heade
10. Charging Chasseur by Theodore Gericault
Assignments:
Unit 4 Homework Assignment #1: Elements of Art - Line
Homework
35 points
Unit 4 Homework Assignment #2: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 4 Homework Assignment #3: Elements of Art - Line
Homework
35 points
Unit 4 Test: Elements of Art - Line
Exam
14 points
Unit 5: Elements of Art—Shape/Form (Week 5)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
differentiate between various types of shapes and forms
describe how artists use various types of shapes and forms in their compositions
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Unit 5 Introduction: Elements of Art - Shape and Form
Shape and Form
Shapes
Forms
Head of the Virgin by Leonardo da Vinci
Composition of Circles and Overlapping Angles by Sophie Taeuber-Arp
Mlle Pogany by Constantin Brancusi
Die by Tony Smith
Assignments:
Unit 5 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 5 Test: Elements of Art – Shape/Form
Exam
14 points
Unit 6: Elements of Art—Texture (Week 6)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
describe how artists use both visual and tactile texture to influence and add interest to their works of art
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Unit 6 Introduction: Elements of Art - Texture
The Feeling of Texture
Head of Christ, detail from the Deësis mosaic in the Hagia Sophia
Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh
The Beeches by Asher Brown Durand
The Prodigal Son by Rembrandt van Rijn
Marcus Aurelius
Assignments:
Unit 6 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 6 Test: Elements of Art - Texture
Exam
14 points
Fundamentals of Art Midterm Exam (Week 6)
Objective
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
review information acquired and mastered from this course up to this point
take and pass a course exam based on material from the first six units in this course (Note: You will be able
to open this exam only one time.)
Assignment:
Fundamentals of Art Midterm Exam
Exam
80 points
Unit 7: Elements of Art—Value (Week 7)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
define value
describe the different ways that artists use value to create drama and depth in their compositions
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Unit 7 Introduction: Elements of Art - Value
Value
Casting Shadows
Baldassare Castiglione by Raphael
Andrea Quaratesi by Michelangelo
6.
7.
The Beeches by Asher Brown Durand
Boulevard Montmartre on a Winter Morning by Camille Pissarro
Assignments:
Unit 7 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 7 Test: Elements of Art - Value
Exam
14 points
Unit 8: Elements of Art—Color (Week 8)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
differentiate between categories of color
describe how they are mixed and combined to create aesthetically interesting and pleasing compositions
Lessons:
1. Unit 8 Introduction: Elements of Art – Color
2. Color
3. Primary and Secondary Colors
4. Intermediate Colors
5. Analagous Colors
6. Monochromatic Colors
7. Complementary Colors
8. Neutral Colors
9. Warm and Cool Colors
10. Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David
11. The Angelus by Jean-Francois Millet
12. Women of Tahiti by Paul Gauguin
Assignments:
Unit 8 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 8 Paper: Let’s Talk About a Painting
Paper
50 points
Unit 8 Test: Elements of Art - Color
Exam
14 points
Unit 9: Principles of Art: Emphasis, Contrast, and Variety (Weeks 9 through 10)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
describe how artists use the elements in art to create contrast, emphasis, or variety in their works of art
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Unit 9 Introduction: Principles of Art: Emphasis, Contrast, and Variety
Principles of Art – Contrast
Principles of Art – Emphasis
Principles of Art – Variety
5.
6.
7.
Two Young Girls at the Piano by Auguste Renoir
Haystacks (Effect of Sun and Snow) by Claude Monet
The Star (or Dancer on Stage) by Edgar Degas
Assignments:
Unit 9 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 9 Test: Principles of Art: Emphasis, Contrast, and Variety
Exam
14 points
Unit 10: Principles of Art: Rhythm, Repetition, and Pattern (Weeks 11 through 12)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
describe how artists use the elements in art to create rhythm, repetition, or pattern in their works of art by
using various elements of art
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Unit 10 Introduction: Principles of Art: Rhythm, Repetition, and Pattern
Principle of Art – Rhythm
Principle of Art – Repetition
Principle of Art – Pattern
Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Brueghel I
Stages of Life by Caspar David Friedrich
Morning by Philipp Otto Runge
Assignments:
Unit 10 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 10 Test: Principles of Art: Rhythm, Repetition, and Pattern
Exam
14 points
Unit 11: Principles of Art: Balance, Harmony, and Unity (Weeks 13 through 14)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
describe how artists use the elements of balance, harmony, and unity in their works of art
explain why these principles make compositions more interesting and successful
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Unit 11 Introduction: Principles of Art: Balance, Harmony, and Unity
Principle of Art: Balance
Principle of Art: Harmony
Principle of Art: Unity
Crucifix by Giotto and his workshop
Abbey in an Oakwood by Caspar David Friedrich
Still-life with Bowl of Fruit by Paul Cezanne
Saying Grace by Jean-Simeon Chardin
Assignments:
Unit 11 Homework Assignment #1: Matching
Homework
35 points
Unit 11 Paper: Let's Talk About a Painting
Paper/Essay
50 points
Unit 11 Test: Principles of Art: Balance, Harmony, and Unity
Exam
14 points
Unit 12: Analyzing a Composition (Week 15)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
•
evaluate a piece of artwork
discuss the use of the elements and principles of art within a piece of artwork
state different points as to why a piece of art work is successful or unsuccessful
Lessons:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Unit 12 Introduction: Analyzing a Composition
Arranging the Composition
Art Game
Elements and Principles in a Composition
Analyzing a Composition
Assignments:
Unit 12 Art Game
Homework
35 points
Unit 12 Paper: Analyzing a Composition
Paper
50 points
Fundamentals of Art Final Exam (Week 16)
Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to:
•
•
review information acquired and mastered from this course
take and pass a course exam based on material from all units in this course (Note: You will be able to open
this exam only one time.)
Assignment:
Fundamentals of Art Final Exam
©2010 Advanced Academics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Exam
120 points