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2D Design and Composition

2D Design and Composition is a studio art course designed to teach students how to use component design skills to compose a variety of original, 2-dimensional artworks. The course is segmented into units of study, with each unit focusing on a different art medium. For each art medium students will learn the tools and techniques, practice the skills unique to that medium, produce smaller artworks that demonstrate mastery, as well as plan and execute a final composition for that medium. Weekly classes will involve sketchbook practice, project time, class discussions, and peer feedback. During the course students will be exposed to a variety of artists and art forms to develop their observational skills, increase their art vocabulary, and inspire their own compositions. Students will be required to maintain a sketchbook throughout this course, will learn how to use it to collect and develop their own unique ideas, and will complete homework assignments in it weekly. This course has an emphasis on teaching students how to plan and execute their own original compositions, expressing their ideas and aesthetic through the use of many types of art mediums.

Resources and Materials:

  1. Soft pencil case


    — No hard boxes-- just soft, zippered pouches, please. Any brand/style acceptable.

  2. Handheld pencil sharpener with receptacle


    — any brand acceptable

  3. Art Portfolio with handles


    — Author: Star Products, size 14 x 20


    — Please try to obtain this exact portfolio in the 14 x 20 size.

  4. Sketchbook


    — Author: Canson Brand ONLY


    — Canson XL Mixed Media, 98 lb, 60 sheet, spiral bound. MUST BE 9 x 12 size!



    (Note: If a student is taking both 2D Design AND Drawing they will need 2 of these sketchbooks, one for each course.)

Categories:
Target Levels: Grade 6; Grade 7; Grade 8; Grade 9; Grade 10; Grade 11; Grade 12
High School Credits: 1

Tuition and Class Schedule by Academic Term:

Full Year 2024-25

Topics and Objectives
1. Rules of Composition
— Students will learn the different rules of composition and use them in their artwork throughout the course.
2. Steps of the Creative Process
— Learning the different stages of completing an artwork from inspiration to completion and evaluation; working through each of the stages for every project in this course.
3. Types of Collage
— Students will learn the different types of collage and will choose a type they like for their final collage project.
4. Collage Techniques
— Students will learn a variety of collage techniques they can apply; they will practice these techniques in a series of mini-collages.
5. Soft Pastels
— Students will learn how to use, control, and blend soft pastels.
6. Biomorphic Art
— Students will learn abotu biomorphic art and create an original, soft pastel composition that exemplifies this style.
7. Thumbnail Sketches
— Students will learn how to use thumbnail sketches when planning a composition.
8. Oil Pastels
— Students will learn how to apply, control, and blend oil pastels.
9. Macro Art
— Students will learn about point of view and use the macro point of view to create a composition of an animal eye.
10. Watercolor Techniques
— Learning the different types of techniques used when painting with watercolors.
11. Watercolor Set-up
— Learning which supplies are needed and how to set up your workspace when painting with watercolors.
12. Watercolor Painting
— Learning how to apply and control watercolors: how to create a range of value, staying in the lines, creating washes of color, how to mix colors, and layering colors through a
series of small practice paintings and a larger final painting.
13. Watercolor Resist
— Students will combine watercolor with oil pastels to create the resist technique while creating a koi pond composition.
14. Art Discussion and Feedback
— Students will gain practice in sharing about their art and offering constructive feedback to fellow artists through periodic oral presentations
15. Color Theory
— Students will learn about the color wheel and various color harmonies including complementary, analogous, triadic, split-complementary; students will create their own
reimagined color wheel.
16. Acrylic Painting
— Learning how to apply, control, mix, and blend acrylic paints.
17. Acrylic Painting Set-up
— Students will learn which supplies are needed and how to set-up and clean up their workspace with acrylic painting.
18. Printmaking
— Students will create a collograph and a string printing block and use both methods of printmaking in a large artwork.
19. Printmaking Set-up
— Students will learn which supplies are needed and how to set-up and clean-up their printmaking workspace.
20. Keeping a Sketchbook
— Students will learn how to use a sketchbook to develop, practice, and curate their ideas for different art compositions throughout this course.

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