NAEA

Pacific Region Secondary Division

Sequential Benchmarks:

The Human Form

NAEA Conference: NYC 2007

The high school visual art journey begins with a focus on basic ideas and concepts, building both confidence and skill level. The human form is an ideal vehicle for this journey. With the national and state standards as guide posts, the ultimate goal for the student is arriving at an Advanced Level of Achievement.

1. Understanding and applying media, techniques, & processes.

2. Using knowledge of structure and functions.

3. Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, & ideas.

4. Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures.

5. Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others.

6. Making connections between visual arts and other disciplines.

PENCIL Students apply the basic proportions of the human head. These images show various stages of student skills in proportion from emerging to advanced.

By Gabrielle- AP Art

Demonstrating proficiency in applying proportions, value, and form in the structure of the face, students move beyond the basic portrait with greater confidence.

Like the early self-portraits, students apply line and proportion, creating sketches that define the contours of the human form. In the drawing on the right, value and texture are also used in expressing the model’s emotion.

emerging

advancedproficient

The drawings below show the sequential development of one student’s use of the human form in his illustrations. Note the awkward proportions of the first image compared to the refined understanding of those in the final work.

Art 1 students draw a portrait with continuous line using a water-soluble ink pen. They then apply water with brush, creating subtle values that further define the form.

INK

Using continuous line, the student moves beyond the face to express the contours of the body and various fabrics. Students also use the open composition for added interest.

Working from a photograph taken with a strong light source, the student defines the shadows of his or her face using the contrasting values of black and white.

With an increased confidence in the use of the art elements, along with understanding the basic proportions of the face, design students compose a portrait using variation of line, texture, positive shape, negative space, and value.

Medium: Permanent marker, ink, and pencil

CHARCOAL

After studying the basic proportions of the human body, the student uses charcoal as a medium to express the mood of the student model.

After collecting the features of the face from a variety of magazine photographs, Art 1 students collage a reconstructed portrait. Students add as many different features to create this new image.

COLLAGE

Creativity, distortion and humor are encouraged.

Art 2 students use the collaged figure as a reference for a pencil drawing emphasizing value, texture, and form.

…in Photoshop

Students are introduced to the art of Italian Mannerist painter Giuseppe Arcimboldo. Through the use of the computer, students collage an expressive portrait using the layering and selection tools in Photoshop. This is a beginning assignment in 2D Design.

PASTELS

Students work with color chalk pastels to create a realistic rendering of their hand. At this benchmark, students understand and apply proportions,balance, value, and color to create unity within the composition.

Students in Art 1 use color as an expression of emotion in rendering a self-portrait. Student begin this process by using mirrors to create their image through observational drawing. Layering the colors throughout the composition is strongly emphasized. The use of an open composition is equally important.

emerging proficient advanced

WATERCOLOR & INK

Using watercolor and ink, student compose the sitter, from the neck up, so that the person appears to be contemplating.

This student exhibits a strong sense of confidence and spontaneity in her use of line and color.

OIL & ACRYLIC PAINT

Art 2 students mix and apply water-soluble oils as they study a variety of color schemes and color values. Each student creates a set of 3 identical compositions of the mannequin still life then apply 3 different color schemes.

Prior to painting the figure, students draw or paint the studio skeleton, a.k.a. Skeletor, seated in a chair. This helps students build a better understanding of human proportions and the underlying support structure of the human skeleton.

AP student Jason creates this image after undergoing brain surgery. For several months he experienced extremely painful headaches and even suffered a major blood clot. Here he expresses his feelings during this horrific time in his life using white acrylic paint on a black surface.

PRINTMAKING

Silk Screen

Expressing the human form in motion, this AP art student uses a screen print process to create her composition.

Collagraph

Plexi-etch and lino-cut of hands as part of a series.

SCULPTURE

Ceramic students sculpt the human head to express the anguish of life at one of three different stages of life.

…in clay

With the human form as subject, this student was given the problem of bringing balance and movement to the composition.

The surface of this piece is finished with a walnut stain.

This clay sculpture captures the basic form and likeness of the human torso.

Art 2 students integrate the human face into a 3D sculpture, expressing a personal experience through dream, place, or memory.

…in mixed media

METAL ARTThese 3” tall metal pieces are a two day introductory assignment where students use a combination of basic wire working techniques along with scrap metal pieces to design the human form.

Student are encouraged to be inventive and creative with the materials.

Media: scrap copper sheets, various gauges of wire, beads, and feathers.

AP STUDIO

ART

Medium: Acrylic Paint

The following artworks reflect a myriad of images in a variety of media. These dedicated students have developed their creative voices and skillful compositions, showing evidence that their journey has been met with success.

This composition uses mixed media to express transparent surfaces, textures, and placement of figure.

Medium: Acrylic, tissue paper, gel medium and oil pastels.

This AP student uses line, texture, form and color to express in her self-portrait an emotion that makes a personal statement about her life.

Medium: Prisma color pencils

By Joan

Using form, movement and color in a compositional study, this student’s goal is to depart from traditional poses and color.

Theme: The Human Form

Theme: Reflections

To all the students and teachers who generously contributed their artwork and ideas to the making of this presentation….. THANK YOU!

Presentation by:Don CollinsPacific Region Secondary Division DirectorWenatchee High SchoolWenatchee, WAcollins.d@mail.wsd.wednet.edu

• Dan Brown, Okanogan HS, Okanogan, WA

• Don Collins, Wenatchee HS, Wenatchee, WA

• Gale Gomez-Bjelland, Elsinore HS, Wildomar, CA

• Marnie Harris, Wenatchee HS, Wenatchee WA

• Lorinne Lee, Olympic HS, Silverdale, WA

• Joye Melby, Cascade HS, Everett, WA

• Shannon McBride, Lakeridge HS, Lake Oswego, OR

• Michael McClun, Wenatchee HS, Wenatchee, WA

• Erin Powers, Darrington MS/HS, Darrington, WA

• Gale Riley, Kings HS, Seattle, WA

• Faye Scannell, Bellevue HS, Bellevue, WA

• Cathy Tanasse, Snohomish HS, Everett, WA

• Pamela Valentine, Oakland Bay Jr. HS, CA