High School Visual Art
High School Visual Art
Dorman Visual Art classes levels range from introductory Visual Art courses to Advanced Placement.
Students may register for Visual Art courses during the spring registration period.
Mission Statement
The Visual Arts Department at Dorman offers a diverse and challenging curriculum that allows our art students the opportunity to master techniques, explore concepts, and gain insight into themselves as student artists as they move through our program. The Visual Arts classes promote self-expression, critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and visual literacy as students learn to create, present, and respond to art. Students connect Visual Art knowledge and skills to other disciplines as well as the world around them in order to enhance college, career, and life readiness.
The Visual Arts Department is an award-winning program. The artwork of our students is entered in numerous competitions and exhibitions throughout the year which gives our students the opportunity to showcase their talents in the visual arts.
Dorman Visual Art Courses
ART: DESIGN PRINCIPLES
1 Unit Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Art: Design Principles is an introductory semester course for students interested in developing basic art knowledge and skills. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the fine art credit requirement. The course will introduce students to art elements and principles of design. A variety of art forms will be explored including drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and sculpture. Students will keep an art notebook. No prior experience in art is required. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
* Students who successfully complete the course with a “B” may enroll in Art I or an Art II course (with art teacher recommendation).
ART I
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: None
This art course is designed for students with a strong desire to further their art knowledge and skills by focusing on the fundamentals of art. The first part of the course is devoted to building drawing and observational art skills. During the second part, students will use skills learned to explore different art media. Drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and sculpture are the major art forms covered through this course. The course serves as a prerequisite to Art II courses (Painting, Mixed Media, Drawing, and Sculpture). Students will keep a notebook/sketchbook and have homework assignments. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of Art I course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for one of the Art II courses.
ART II: DRAWING
1 Unit Grades 10-12
Prerequisite: Art I or Design Principles, art teacher’s recommendation
This course is designed for art students who are interested in the techniques and processes in the field of drawing. In this class art students will be introduced to many different media such as graphite, charcoal, color pencil, pen and ink, pastel, etc. Students will have the opportunity to work in a classroom environment that will enhance their personal ideas for their work, as well as the creativity that goes into their work. Students will be expected to maintain a sketchbook to record their thoughts and ideas for each project. The work that each student will create in Art II: Drawing will help them build their art portfolios for high school and college. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art I or Design Principles and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of the Art II: Drawing course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for the Art III course or an additional Art II course.
ART II: MIXED MEDIA
1 Unit Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Art 1 or Design Principles, art teacher’s recommendation
This course is designed for art students who want to enhance their creativity and technical art skills through mixed media approaches to making art. The course explores the combination of art making processes such as collage, printmaking, and photo transfer with traditional drawing and painting media. Students will work to enhance their drawing skills throughout the course and maintain a mixed media sketchbook. Work created in this class can help build a high school art portfolio. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art I or Design Principles and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of the Art II: Mixed Media course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for Art III or an additional Art II course.
ART II: PAINTING
1 Unit Grades: 10-12
Prerequisite: Art 1 or Design Principles, art teacher’s recommendation
This course is designed to acquaint art students with a variety of painting techniques and media. Students will have the opportunity to work in a studio setting on projects designed to explore personal ideas and creative concepts. The Art II Painting portfolio will include figurative, observational, and abstract works while investigating watercolor, ink, acrylic, batik, and oil-based paints. In addition, students will be introduced to historical and contemporary artists and artworks, and will be expected to maintain a sketchbook. Students will also work to further develop drawing skills throughout this course. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art I or Design Principles and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of the Art II: Painting course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for Advanced Painting, Art III or an additional Art II course.
ART II: SCULPTURE
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Art I or Design Principles, art teacher’s recommendation
This is a specialized course for art students interested in the three-dimensional area of art making. Students will use a variety of sculpture media such as wire, reed, clay, paper, and found objects to develop three-dimensional works of art. Students will explore the sculptural techniques of casting, carving, construction, and assemblage. Students will maintain a sculpture notebook and will have written tests on vocabulary and techniques. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art I or Design Principles and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of the Art II: Sculpture course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for Advanced Sculpture or AP Studio 3D Design (with portfolio review and art teacher recommendation).
ADVANCED SCULPTURE
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Sculpture, art teacher’s recommendation, digital portfolio review.
This course is designed for students interested in an advanced exploration of three-dimensional art. Students will expand upon their previous experiences in sculpture to develop their technical and conceptual knowledge and skills of three-dimensional art making. Students will be required to apply sculptural design issues using a variety of methods and materials. These include, but are not limited to, wire, metal, wood, clay, fiber, fabric, and paper. Students will continue to expand their digital art portfolio and create effective presentations. The course will prepare students for the AP Studio 3D Design Portfolio. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art II: Sculpture and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of the Advanced Sculpture course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for AP Studio 3D Design.
ADVANCED PAINTING
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Art II: Painting, art teacher’s recommendation
Advanced Painting is an advanced study of the painting techniques and concepts introduced in Art II: Painting. Students will further develop their knowledge of color theory and composition with an emphasis on the study of contemporary artists and processes. Advanced Painting students will use a variety of painting techniques and media including an exploration of paint application methods, large-scale works, and alternative surfaces. Students will also learn to organize their work into digital portfolio presentations. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art II: Painting and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of the Advanced Painting course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for Art IV.
ART III
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Art II (Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media), art teacher’s recommendation
Art III combines creativity and technical skills to solve a variety of visual art assignments. This course will draw upon art history, advanced techniques, professional materials, and critical thinking skills. The first nine weeks focuses on drawing from observation and the second nine weeks is more problem-solving based on student decision-making and art media choices. Students will keep a sketchbook and have regular homework assignments due. Success in this course as a junior is essential for students seeking A.P. Studio Art credit during their senior year. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art II: Painting, Mixed Media, or Drawing and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
*Successful completion of the Art III course, maintaining a “B” average or higher, and art teacher recommendation can qualify students for Art IV.
ART IV (PRE-AP)
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Art III or Advanced Painting, portfolio review, art teacher’s recommendation.
Students in Art IV will draw upon their previous experiences in art to expand their technical and conceptual skills. A variety of art approaches will be explored to complete the Breadth section (comprised of 12 quality images), part one of the AP portfolio. Students will be required to keep an extensive notebook and sketchbook with weekly assignments. Students are required to complete two quality artworks over the summer prior to taking this class in the fall. Art IV is considered the pre AP class, so this course is required in the fall before taking AP Studio 2D in the spring semester. Students must have maintained a “B” average in Art III or Advanced Painting and have an art teacher’s recommendation to be eligible to take this course.
*Successful completion of Art IV, maintaining a “B” average of higher can qualify students for more advanced study. There is a $30 supply fee for AP Studio 2D Design or AP Studio Drawing.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART: 3-D DESIGN
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Art 2, Sculpture, art teacher’s recommendation, digital portfolio review, and interview.
Through this course, students develop an original, thematic body of 3-Dimensional art based on the student’s interest in a particular visual and conceptual idea. Students will complete the Concentration section (comprised of 12 quality works), part two of the AP portfolio. This course requires students to demonstrate a conscious and deliberate application of sculptural design issues using a variety of methods and materials. These include, but are not limited to, wire, metal, wood, clay, fiber, fabric, and paper. Students will learn how to organize their works in a digital art portfolio, create effective presentations, develop and art resume, and participate in numerous art activities.
*Successful completion of the portfolio, based on the AP College Board’s final score, can earn college credit for students. This course carries an honors quality point. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART: 2-D DESIGN
1 Unit Grades 11-12
Prerequisite: Art IV, art teacher’s recommendation, portfolio review, and interview
In this course, students create and develop an original thematic body of artworks based on the student’s interest in a particular visual and conceptual creative idea. Students will complete the Concentration section (comprised of 12 quality images), part two of the AP portfolio. In 2-D Design, you are asked to demonstrate a conscious and deliberate application of design issues using a variety of forms. These could include, but are not limited to, graphic design, illustration, typography, digital imaging, photography, collage, fabric design, weaving, illustration, painting, drawing, printmaking, etc. Design works place emphasis on the elements of art and the principles of design. Additionally, students will learn how to organize their art portfolio, create effective presentations, develop an art resume, and participate in numerous art activities.
*Successful completion of the portfolio, based on the AP College Board’s final score, allows students to earn college credit. This course carries an honors quality point and is a spring semester course only. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT STUDIO ART: DRAWING
1 Unit Grade 11-12
Prerequisite: Art IV, art teacher’s recommendation, portfolio review, and interview
In this course, students create and develop an original thematic body of artworks based on the student’s interest in a particular visual and conceptual creative idea. Students will complete the Concentration section (comprised of 12 quality images), part two of the AP portfolio. AP Studio Art: Drawing is designed to address a broad interpretation of drawing issues. For example, drawing, painting, printmaking, studies for sculpture, some forms of design, abstract and observational works would qualify as addressing drawing issues. The work should focus on the act of “mark-making” for the Drawing Portfolio. Photos, digital works, three-dimensional works, and color photocopies of your work in other media may not be submitted. Additionally, students will learn how to organize their art portfolio, create effective presentations, develop an art resume, and participate in numerous art activities.
*Successful completion of the portfolio, based on the AP College Board’s final score, allows students to earn college credit. This course carries an honors quality point and is a Spring semester course only. There is a $30 supply fee for this course.