Exploring Art Media

To the Teacher

The Exploring Art Media book introduces art concepts, techniques, and media exploration through a variety of progressive lessons and activities. Although this book can be used as an art lesson reference for any instructor, the text was developed for a comprehensive independent study curriculum. The content is structured to include materials and activities for a strategy that is based on approximately 8O hours of artwork being equivalent to the completion of each semester of study. Because the lessons are concise and self-explanatory, the format permits the student to explore and self-teach the assignments. An instructor is always helpful but not necessary with this book.

The text has been divided into major art components so that the student will be exposed to the overall subject matter content of studio art. The student can also individualize the course by selecting most of their lessons and projects. To ensure a thorough art experience, the student should, as part of the total 160 hours, complete all of the core lessons the first semester because these are preparatory lessons which lead to the more advanced work. However, if the student has a sufficient background in studio art, they may progress at their own rate. The core lessons are enumerated in bold faced type under each heading of the Table of Contents marked by Roman Numerals I-VI.

Each lesson has an introductory paragraph that provides an overview of the lesson at hand, a vocabulary list, a supplies list, and a detailed procedures section with progressive examples. Most of the lessons develop a single concept while others are more involved and have multiple progressive assignments. Some lessons, depending on the student's interests, will suggest the completion of several variations of a technique or the use of a medium.

An evaluation sheet, which is included for use by the teacher and the student, will provide an ongoing record of the student's progress and the teacher's assignment evaluations. It is intended to make the teachers work easier because, it not only lists subjective and objective guidelines for tracking and assessing the student's work, but also, has a space to record the amount of time the student has spent on each assignment. The time spent on each project or lesson can vary according to the student's interests in the subject matter. Some students will complete a lesson as a short exercise while others might spend a great deal of time and effort on the same lesson.

For the student's convenience, the art supplies used in the lessons are readily available through local merchants. The Supply List at the back of the book provides a quick reference guide for the supplies used in this book.