Fine Arts Department, Morningside Academy Dorran R. Russell, Fine Arts Instructor
Students:
Good morning! Happy first day of school. Do not worry. Most of you will be in school for many more years to come. It is not a matter of IF you go to college, but WHERE you go to college. This is an art class that will bring you from the Renaissance to Cubism covering about 500 years of study in the next 9 months. The first step will be to teach you how to draw. "Follow my lead" is the method of teaching I adhere to. I will begin by drawing on the main easel at the center of the classroom and demonstrate how to draw simple geometric shapes. Simply do as I do. You will progress from geometric shapes to complex faces and anatomy.
I am also going to teach you how to finish. The only way to fail, is not to finish. When you think you are done, there is a very good chance you are not. Then I will instruct you on how to further your project until it is sensational. My objective here is to graduate you from your art hanging on your mom's refrigerator, to a worthy piece hanging over the sofa. The Fine Arts department will provide everything you will need to pass this course. Sketch pads, pencils, paints and even canvases. Some students will naturally expand their needs into clay and wood modeling, resin pours and "found objects" painting.
Parents:
Still Lifes are a main teaching tool in this classroom. They may include silk plants, fabrics, antiques, old toys, urns, vases, old picture frames, broken instruments and all sorts of treasures that you might consider junk. Before you throw them out, please bring them to the art class. All sorts of crazy things look great in a sketch or painting. As you see in the classroom, every square inch is designed to give the eye something interesting to look at. (Remember the competition is those little glowing boxes that our children can't seem to put down. If their art can hold your attention longer than T.V. WE'VE WON!) As of today all students have an "A". They will have to work at getting a lower grade. The studio here is often open late as the students want more time to complete their work. I will do my best to accommodate your student to an open classroom. Tuesday nights I teach an adult class that starts at 6:00pm and ends at 8:00. The cost is $25.00 and students are welcome to attend. It is advanced painting and as parents you may be interested in my teaching techniques. At the very least, you will produce a worthy painting.
Thank you for allowing me to teach your child. It is a privilege not taken lightly. They are to be honored and respected. Each child thinks they are the center of the universe and it is my job to see to it that they never forget it.
Dorran Russell, Artist
You may visit my web page at www.dorranrussell.com
Syllabus for Fine Arts
Mr. Russell 2-D: Levels I and II www.dorranrussell.com
Grades 6th through 12th
drussellmorningsideacademy@gmail.com
Purpose: Art I is an introductory course ideal for grade levels 6 through 12. Students will learn basic concepts of art and apply elements of design and original concepts to produce creative art projects that reflect the fine arts direction from the Renaissance to the Post Impressionists.
Art II is designed for the advanced student and will cover both 2-D and 3-D art sculpturing. Oil painting will be taught as well as custom built canvasses and introductory use of small power tools.
Daily Expectations: Respect! No student in my classroom will ever be graded on talent. All students are on an equal playing field in the Fine Arts classroom. Being respectful is the grade. Respect consists of this: Respect me as your teacher. Respect the classroom assistants. Respect the classroom itself, the props and other students' art. Respect is doing the work assigned and your grade is based on finishing. The only failure is in unfinished work. Handbook rules regarding cell phones will be adhered to unless specified by myself for classroom reference work.
Materials Provided: Sketchbook—140lb watercolor, canvases of varying sizes, sets of pencils 4H to 6B, gum eraser, sharpener, stump (blender), water-based pastels and accessories. Your own supplies are welcome, such as Sculpey clay and certain wood products will need to be supplied by the student. If You Miss Class: Stop in and ask what you need to do. If you see me in church, feel free to "talk shop" with me. Art is around you 7 days a week. Grading: Your sketchbook is your mid-term exam grade. All pages must be filled. Do not waste pages with effortless scribbles. It will count as 45% of the total grade and is due December 13th, 2019 at the close of school. You are responsible for holding on to your sketchbook. Each week a "homework" inspection will be made on your sketchbook progress and entered into the gradebook once a week, and will count as 20% of the grade. Any art submitted to a show or contest will count as a test grade. (FACCS) etc... Finished art projects on water color paper such as still lifes, including outside sketches and pastel work, will count as quiz grades, 35% of the total grade.
Your Grade in art will come from the following:
1. Doing what is assigned and meeting the objectives of the project.
2. Finishing the project.
3. Originality
4. Being neat and careful while cooperating in class.
5. Use time wisely.
6. Being disruptive or drawing unnecessary attention to yourself or being disrespectful is a sure way of failing this class. A student who is disruptive will be removed from the classroom.
7. Thinking "Outside the Box" and using your God-given abilities to the fullest will ensure you the highest success in this art class.
Grading Scale: Late assignments will lose a grade for each class period they are late.
A=100-90 B=89-80 C=79-70 D=69-60 F=59-0
FACCS: Each year there are Regional and State Competitions sponsored by Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. These events are essential to the showcasing of Morningside Academy Fine Arts and a State Class Critique on your student's creation of truly Fine Art. While participating is not a requirement, it is strongly encouraged. The importance of this critique cannot be over emphasized.
Students not participating in the competitions will be required to research and complete an essay in regards to the history of Fine Art in Western Civilization.
1st Week Homework Grade: This Syllabus must be signed by both student and parent/guardian and returned.
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(Cut and Return this portion. Keep the Syllabus for yourself.)
I have read and understand and will comply with the Syllabus for Fine Arts 2019-2020.
Student:_________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian__________________________________________________
