Code: ART001
Title: Monet to Warhol: Colour Radicals
Pre-requisites: None
Coordinator: Mrs Sue Lonsdale

Art has existed since the very beginning of civilisation and predates language in the written form.  Visual Art inspires and motivates people and creates a means for students to understand themselves, their community and their world.

This unit will explore the foundations of visual Art through the elements of design with a focus on painting.  Particular attention will be paid to art movements that use colour to communicate ideas and emotions.  Students will analyse, make and appraise work inspired by some of the great artistic radicals such as, Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol.

Topics

• Identify and manipulate the elements of design
• Learn basic colour theory and its applications.
• Develop aesthetic appreciation.
• Develop techniques in painting.
• Research and appraise the lives, works and techniques of influential artists.
• Apply learnt techniques by developing a major painting.

Assessment

Students will complete three pieces of assessment over the semester:

• A major painting (due end of semester)
• A research assignment  (due end of semester)
• A design folio (compile throughout the semester)

At completion students should know

• The elements of design
• Colour theory
• How colour has been used to communicate meaning through painting
• Historical changes in art movements
• Characteristics of water colour, acrylic and oil paint
• What a reliable internet website looks like

At completion students should be able to

• Speak confidently about the elements of design
• Identify and name colour schemes and make links to artists and art movements
• Design a major painting
• Critically analyse websites
• Use a scanner effectively
• Write an appraisal of a painting
• Keep a consistent record of experimental work

Literacy elements

• Use of ICTs in research and class work
• Development of subject specific vocabulary
• Use of templates and charts
• Use of a range of visual and auditory learning sources
• Modified curriculum for students in need of extension or special consideration

Integrated technology

• Internet research
• Word processing
• DVD
• Scanner

Assignment guidelines

Please refer to the Assignment Guidelines on how to set out bibliographies and references.  

Resources

• 1 x A4 Visual diary, 2 x 2B pencils

Related Links

• A Life Time of Art
• Artcyclopedia.com
• Famous Artworks exhibition
• The Artchive
• Van Gogh Gallery