Visual Arts

A semester course emphasizing a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, printmaking, and ceramics. The elements of art and principles of design are applied to materials in a more traditional manner; focusing on more realistic representation and setting the stage for a foundation in the visual arts.

Students in Intro to CGI & 3D Animation learn the foundations of 3D design, modeling, sculpting, texturing, lighting, rigging, simulations, animating, and rendering to create short films.  Software used: Autodesk Maya, Blender, Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and Photoshop.  This course satisfies the semester Visual & Performing Arts, and Tech Intensive requirements.

Created by the 2016 Animation Class.

Animation

A semester elective that focuses on understanding and making cartoons. Students will learn the basics of how to draw and animate characters and objects. Prerequisite Basic Drawing or instructor’s approval.

A semester course that introduces concepts of realistic rendering. In this hands-on, lab-oriented course, students will learn techniques that will develop accuracy, three-dimensional perspective, and shading using a spectrum of traditional tools and materials.

A year-long course for grades 11-12 in which students develop skills in drawing and painting as they apply the fundamentals of the elements and principles of fine art and design. They will learn to produce artwork that demonstrates creativity and the ability to problem solve. Mediums include acrylic, oil, and watercolor painting; color and watercolor pencils; chalk; charcoal; and oil pastels. Prerequisite: B- or better in Basic Drawing or Instructor’s approval. This course meets the fine arts pre-requisite requirement for the UC schools.

"Ocarina." By Shaelynn Mitsui.

Ceramics 1 

Ceramics 1 is a semester elective course that focuses on sculptural and functional ceramics. Most work will be hand-built and some time will be spent on wheel-throwing techniques.Our focus will be on 3D expression and the skills needed to achieve this. Prerequisite Basic Art, Basic Drawing, or Basic Mixed Media.

"Tea Set." By Julia Lu. 

Ceramics 2

A semester elective that focuses on more advanced, independent clay projects for those who already have ceramics experience. We will have more intricate projects as well as introducing new materials and techniques (e.g., ceramic decals, glass slumping. Prerequisite: Ceramics 1.

"Carousel." By Kayci Kumashiro.

Ceramics 3

A semester elective that focuses on advanced, independent ceramic projects. The student will focus on three to five complete ceramic projects for the semester depending on intricacy and complexity of their ideas. They will take time to plan and propose an idea of what they would like to create and during creation, journal about the process and reflect on any complications, difficulties and new insights regarding their personal creative process. Through written and verbal feedback in their journal, the teacher will track their progress and provide guidance. Prerequisite: Ceramics 2 and teacher approval.

Intro to Filmmaking is a Visual & Performing Arts elective in which students learn storytelling through motion picture production using real world techniques, equipment, & software.  Satisfying a semester and Art and a Tech Intensive requirement, the course covers all phases of production and includes screenwriting, production design, storyboarding, cinematography, lighting & sound design,  visual & special effects, and editing.  This course satisfies the semester Visual & Performing Arts, and Tech Intensive requirements.

"Enthusiasm." Encaustic. By Julia Lu. Basic Mixed Media.

Basic Mixed Media

A semester class that explores the meaning of art and our role as an artist in our environment. We will analyze modern and contemporary art, discuss content and meaning, and create our own unique work imbued with personal and social significance. We will use a mixture of materials and techniques including paper collage, wax painting, spray paint, and found objects.

"Natural Reflections." Encaustic. By Keri Lum. Adv. Mixed Media.

Adv. Mixed Media

A year-long course that continues to explore Contemporary Art through the experimentation of various art materials. Equal emphasis is placed on content and product. Prerequisite Basic Mixed Media and Basic Art.

This project-based course offers a well-rounded and practical approach to photography.   Some of the topics we will covered are Digital basics, Adobe Lightroom, Composition, Landscape Photography, Production Photography, and Portfolios.  This course satisfies the semester Visual & Performing Arts, and Tech Intensive requirements.  Students can use their own DSLR or mirrorless camera or rent one from the school.

This project-based builds upon the foundations begun in Basic Photography and explores these and other techniques in more detail.  Some of the topics covered are Macro Photography, Portraiture, Still Life Photography, and Photojournalism.  This course satisfies the semester Visual & Performing Arts, and Tech Intensive requirements. Students can use their own DSLR or mirrorless camera or rent one from the school.

Advanced Filmmaking is a project-based storytelling course that builds upon the foundations formed in Intro to Filmmaking.  Using real world techniques, equipment, and software students write, produce, distribute, and market motion pictures.  This course satisfies the semester Visual & Performing Arts, and Tech Intensive requirements.

A semester course that focuses on artistic expression in the digital age by addressing the basic concepts of photography digital imaging using Adobe Photoshop. Students are required to keep a portfolio showing their developing skills.

These are year-long courses for highly motivated students who are seriously interested in the study of art. This program demands significant commitment. Students will develop, photograph, and assemble a portfolio of work that demonstrates the breadth of their skills as artists. This sustained investigation and selected works will be submitted to the College Board for review. They will maintain a sketchbook to develop their ideas, participate in peer critiques, examine and critique the work of other artists, and work on projects. Students will also have an opportunity to exhibit their work in a spring show. The portfolio emphasis will be on either 2D Design or Drawing.