Art

Art at Heschel High School helps students develop a love of observing their world and perfect skills with which to express their observations. The Art Department exposes students to a variety of experiences in the visual arts with an emphasis on an exploration of materials, techniques, ideas, critical analysis, art history, and personal expression.  We encourage students to feel comfortable enough to try new experiences in art so they can develop competence an awareness of the process of art. Students gain a strong foundation in visual concepts through studio courses that include, drawing, painting, two-dimensional and three-dimensional design, printmaking, illustration, sculpture, graphic design, and digital photography.  These courses include methods of working from observation, memory, and imagination. Artists’ work and periods in art history are referenced in relation to the lessons.

 Ninth Grade Course

The ninth grade required course in Visual Arts presents materials and approaches to creating art including, drawing, painting, outdoor sketching of cityscapes, figure drawing, plaster carving, collage, collography, linoleum printing, and ceramics.  Projects include working from observation, imagination, and from art history.  The goal in this class is for students to develop artistic skills, confidence, and explore their personal modes of expression.

Grade 9 Gallery

Tenth Grade Electives:    

Drawing and Painting: Students are exposed to principals and elements of drawing and painting through exercises that emphasize line quality, design, composition, tone, color theory, and ways to represent form and space two- dimensionally. Design problems, three-dimensional explorations, experimentation, and sustained drawing and painting projects are the focus of the lessons.

Grade 10 Gallery--Painting

Digital Photography: While learning their way around the camera, and well as the basic elements and principles of digital photography, students begin to grasp the concept of what makes for a good photograph and how to use the computer as a "digital darkroom" to manipulate and transform their images. The course provides art learning experiences as well as several writing assignments where the students are asked to reflect on their own work and research contemporary digital photographers.

Grade 10 Gallery--Photography

Introduction to Ceramics: Students learn basic hand-building techniques, pinching, coiling , slab construction, and glazing techniques. They are encouraged to explore the material and apply their personal imagery and imagination to their work. Issues of craftsmanship, visual communication, patience, and experimentation are discussed. 

Eleventh Grade Electives:

Portraiture in Drawing and Painting: In this course students focus on portraiture including traditional and expressionistic techniques in portrait drawing, mastering form from light, understanding the gestural essence of the pose, expressive use of line, brushstroke, color and form, rendering fabric, and the evolution of individual style.  For projects, students work from models, self-portraits, and imagination. The goal in this course is for students to master basic figurative drawing skills and art materials so they can work expressively and with control, effectiveness, and confidence.

Grade 11 Gallery--Painting

Computer Illustration: This course gives students an understanding of how to use the computer as an art medium. While exploring Adobe Illustrator software as well as image rendering software, the students learn how to create various forms of subject matter on the computer. Students work from and manipulate photographs and their own drawings.

Grade 11 Gallery--Illustration

Twelfth Grade Electives

Advanced drawing, oil painting and portfolio development: This studio course is designed to help students sharpen their artistic skills and focus on personal modes of expression. Students work in oil paint, stretch their own canvases, and become familiar with techniques of oil paint. The study how other artists have used the medium in history. Portfolio development and guidance in photographing their artwork is available for students who wish to present their work for college admissions.

Grade 12--Painting

Concepts of Digital Media: Students learn to use Adobe Photoshop on their  images in order to create meaningful works of art. The course explores the various theories and principles behind digital media and what it means to be an artist in our postmodern world.