Drawing & Painting Course
Grosse pointe north high school

Instructor - Mr. Lamb
This year-long course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental techniques and concepts of drawing and painting. Students will explore various media, styles, and artistic processes while developing their own creative voice. Emphasis will be placed on observational skills, technical proficiency, and personal expression.

This curriculum should help students build a strong foundation in drawing and painting, develop their personal artistic voice, and feel confident in their creative abilities. Visual references can be shown in class through web links, slideshows, handouts, or book resources.
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Course Objectives:
  • Develop foundational drawing and painting skills.
  • Understand and apply principles of design and composition.
  • Explore different media and techniques.
  • Cultivate personal style and artistic expression.
  • Critically evaluate and reflect on artwork.
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POSSIBLE Materials Used:
  • Sketchbook
  • Pencils (graphite, colored)
  • Erasers
  • Charcoal
  • Pastel
  • Ink and pens
  • Acrylic paint
  • Watercolors
  • Oil Paint
  • Paintbrushes (various sizes)
  • Canvas/paper for painting
  • Easel (optional but recommended)
  • Palette & mixing tools
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LEARNING
HOW YOU WILL LEARN - Methods & Materials
  • Learning through Classroom Projects & Practice
  • Step-by-Step Tutorials
  • Demonstrations
  • Personal Exploration/Trial & Error/PRACTICE!
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HOW YOU KNOW YOU LEARNED - Grading & Assessment
  • Grades will be based on skills addressed in each lesson and LESSON MASTERY.
  • PRACTICE assignments will be given points (10 points)
  • PROJECTS will be graded using a detailed rubric (50 points)

Your MID-TERM & FINAL EXAM will be based on a Portfolio of work created throughout the semester.

Grades can be accessed by both parents and students using SCHOOLOGY through the Grosse Pointe North High School website.
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​Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
  • Apply skills and knowledge to perform in the arts.
  • Apply skills and knowledge to create in the arts.
  • Analyze, describe and evaluate works of art.
  • Understand, analyze, and describe the arts in their historical, social and cultural contexts.
  • Recognize, analyze and describe connections among the arts; between the arts and other disciplines; between the arts and everyday life.
STUDENTS MUST FOLLOW ALL RULES LISTED IN THE

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
 2-D Studio Rules...
 Please! NO FOOD OR DRINKS in the classroom
  • RESPECT - yourself, others, and the property around you.
  • Students should be POSITIVE, COOPERATIVE, RESPONSIBLE & ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE.
  • Please refrain from TALKING during lectures or presentations.
  • Come to class ON TIME!
  • OFF & OUT OF SIGHT - Electronic Devices - Keep your distractions out of sight. Cell phones and wireless headphones will not be needed in class and you are expected to keep them OFF & OUT OF SIGHT.
  • BATHROOM PASSES will only be issued on a limited basis using the proper procedure.
  • Students will be responsible for maintaining a CLEAN & ORDERLY classroom.
  • Students should not gather by the door before the end of class - STAY IN YOUR SEATS.
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***THIS IS A STUDIO CLASS***​
You are expected to be working or practicing DRAWING & PAINTING at all time!
Consequences
In the 2-D STUDIO, behavioral consequences rarely need to be addressed. However, in the event that a student needs reinforcement, I will use this chart to address student Behavior & Consequences.
  • 1st incident: Student receives a warning & incident is recorded. *Parent may be notified.
  • 2nd Incident: Student receives a warning & incident is recorded. *Parent may be notified.
  • 3rd Incident: Student receives a warning & incident is recorded. Teacher connects with home (email/phone call), making sure the family knows what comes next.
  • 4th Incident: Teacher sends the student to the ARK, ARK assigns a consequence, ARK makes a phone call home.
  • If a situation needs immediate attention, Mr. Lamb reserves the right to send a student directly to an administrator/ARK (regardless of prior notification). Generally, this will occur when student safety is an issue.

POSSIBLE SEQUENCE OF PROJECTS AND PRACTICE

This timeline and project choice and medium may change based on timing and availability...
Quarter 1: Foundations of Drawing
Week 1-2: Introduction to Materials and Basic Drawing Techniques
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Objectives
Familiarize students with drawing tools (pencils, erasers, sketchbooks) and basic techniques (contour lines, shading, hatching)

Possible Activities
  • Practice CONTOUR LINE DRAWINGS of simple objects (e.g., apples, leaves)
  • Shading exercises focusing on VALUE SCALES​
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Visual References
Albrecht Dürer - Praying Hands (shows contour lines and value)
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Picture
Albrecht Dürer - Praying Hands
Week 3-4: Observational Drawing  

Objectives
Develop skills in observing and accurately rendering still life objects

Possible Activities
  - STILL LIFE DRAWING with simple objects (e.g., cups, fruits, bottles).
  - Focus on PROPORTIONS, LIGHT, and SHADOW

Visual References
Paul Cézanne - Still Life with Apples (shows simple object arrangement and shading)
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Paul Cézanne - Still Life with Apples
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Paul Cézanne - Still Life with Apples
Week 5-6: Perspective Drawing  

Objectives
Understand and apply ONE-POINT and TWO-POINT PERSPECTIVE
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Possible Activities
  - Draw basic geometric shapes in perspective
  - Create a cityscape using two-point perspective

Visual References
​Leonardo da Vinci’s - The Last Supper (for one-point perspective)
​Gustave Caillebotte’s - Paris Street; Rainy Day (for two-point perspective)
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Picture
Two-Point Perspective
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​Leonardo da Vinci’s - The Last Supper
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Gustave Caillebotte’s - Paris Street; Rainy Day
Week 7-8: Gesture Drawing and Figure Drawing Basics

Objectives
​Capture the movement and basic proportions of the human figure

Possible Activities 
  - Quick gesture drawings from live models or video
  - Focus on proportion and basic anatomy

Visual References
Studies by Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci for human anatomy and gestures.
Picture
Leonardo da Vinci - Hand Gesture Drawing
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Michelangelo Buonarroti - Studies for the Libyan Sibyl
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Raphael - Recto Combat of five men Verso Some slight Figure Studies
Quarter 2: Introduction to Painting
Week 9-10: Color Theory  

Objectives
Learn the basics of color theory, including the color wheel, complementary colors, and color mixing

Possible Activities 
  - Create a color wheel
  - Experiment with mixing primary colors to create secondary and tertiary colors

Visual References
​Johannes Itten’s - Color Star, and works by Piet Mondrian (to demonstrate primary colors)
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Picture
Johannes Itten’s - Color Star
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Piet Mondrian - Composition, 1919-1920
Week 11-12: Acrylic Painting Techniques  

Objectives
Introduction to acrylic painting techniques such as blending, layering, and glazing

Possible Activities 
  - Practice basic techniques on canvas boards
  - Create a simple abstract painting focusing on color blending

​Visual References
Mark Rothko’s color field paintings for blending techniques
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Picture
Acrylic Blending Techniques
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Mark Rothko - White Center (Sold for $72.8 million dollars in 2007!)
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Mark Rothko - Color Field Painting (Red and Yellow)
Week 13-14: Landscape Painting  

​Objectives
Apply color theory and painting techniques to create a landscape

Possible Activities
  - Study and sketch landscapes
  - Paint a landscape using acrylics, focusing on color harmony and atmospheric perspective

Visual References
Works by Claude Monet and Thomas Cole
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Picture
Landscape Painting in Process
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Claude Monet - Venice Twilight
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Thomas Cole - View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm—The Oxbow
Week 15-16: Portraiture Basics  

Objectives
​Learn the basics of painting a portrait, focusing on proportions, skin tones, and capturing likeness

Possible Activities 
  - Sketch and paint a portrait using a limited color palette

​Visual References
Portraits by Rembrandt and John Singer Sargent
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Portrait Painting in Process
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Rembrandt - Self-Portrait
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John Singer Sargent - Portrait of Madame X (1884)
Quarter 3: Developing Personal Style
Week 17-18: Exploring Different Media (Watercolors, Ink)  

Objectives
Experiment with different painting media and techniques

Possible Activities
  - Try watercolors and ink for creating different effects
  - Create a mixed-media piece combining various materials

Visual References
​Works by Wassily Kandinsky (watercolor) and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (ink)
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Picture
Using both Watercolor and Ink
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Wassily Kandinsky - Watercolour No, 6
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Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec - Moulin Rouge [La Goulue and Valentin le desosse]
Week 19-20: Abstract Art  

​Objectives
Understand the principles of abstract art and develop a personal approach to abstraction

Possible Activities
  - Study abstract art and experiment with shapes, colors, and compositions
  - Create an abstract painting that reflects an emotion or concept

​Visual References
Works by Jackson Pollock and Wassily Kandinsky
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Picture
Jackson Pollock - Convergence
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Wassily Kandinsky - Small Pleasures
Week 21-22: Narrative Art  

Objectives
Explore how to tell a story through a series of images or a single painting

Possible Activities
  - Plan and create a painting that tells a story or represents a scene from literature or history

Visual References
Norman Rockwell’s narrative paintings
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Picture
Norman Rockwell - Triple Self-Portrait 1960
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Norman Rockwell - Four Freedoms 1943
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Norman Rockwell - The Problem We All Live With 1963
Week 23-24: Self-Portrait  

Objectives
​Create a self-portrait that reflects personal identity and style

Possible Activities
  - Study self-portraits by famous artists.
  - Create a self-portrait using a medium of choice

​Visual References
Vincent van Gogh - Self-Portrait and
​Frida Kahlo - Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
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Picture
Vincent van Gogh, Self-portrait, 1887
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​Frida Kahlo - Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird
Quarter 4: Advanced Projects & Final Portfolio
Week 25-26: Large-Scale Project  

Objectives
Work on a large-scale drawing or painting, incorporating techniques learned throughout the year

Possible Activities 
  - Plan and execute a large-scale drawing or painting on canvas.
  - Focus on composition, technique, and personal style

Visual References
Works by Georgia O'Keeffe for large-scale compositions
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Georgia O'Keeffe - Red Cana, 1924
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Georgia O'Keeffe - Light Iris, 1924
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Georgia O'Keeffe - Black Iris, 1926
Week 27-28: Themed Series 

​Objectives
Create a series of small drawings or paintings paintings based on a theme

​Possible Activities
  - Choose a theme and create a series of 5 small drawings or paintings

Visual References
Series works by Claude Monet - Water Lilies, Andy Warhol - Campbell’s Soup Cans
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Claude Monet - Water Lilies
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Claude Monet - Water Lilies
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Andy Warhol - Campbell’s Soup Cans. 1962
Week 29-30: Peer Review and Critique  

Objectives
Develop critical thinking and feedback skills by participating in peer reviews

Possible Activities
  - Present work to classmates
  - Engage in constructive critique sessions

Visual References
N/A (focus on student work)
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Week 31-32: Final Portfolio and Exhibition Preparation  

Objectives
​Compile a portfolio of the year’s work and prepare for a final exhibition

Possible Activities
  - Select and refine pieces for the final portfolio
  - Prepare and display work for an end-of-year exhibition

​Visual References
​N/A (focus on student work)