Local Ballard High School Art Classes Emphasize Growth and Foundational Mastery
Our school art department is currently buzzing with diverse projects across all levels, from realistic portraiture in Art 1 to advanced fabric landscape collages in Textiles. While the mediums vary including Intaglio printing in Art 2 and film development in Photo 3 the core philosophy remains the same mastering the fundamental building blocks of visual art.
Focus on the Fundamentals
In Art 1, students are currently tackling the challenge of realistic portraiture. By using mirrors to draw from life, students are learning to see accurately rather than drawing from memory. A key technical focus this term is facial proportion specifically the “eyes in the middle of the face” rule which serves as a vital precursor to the full-figure drawing required in Art 2.
A Approach to Grading
The department utilizes a balanced 100-point grading scale that rewards the entire creative process rather than just the final product. Grades are divided into four 25-point categories:
Planning & Foundation Skills: The “blueprint” and technical accuracy of the work.
Creative Skills & Craftsmanship: The level of detail and care put into the execution.
Studio Habits: Engagement, focus, and staying on task.
Reflection: A critical written component where students analyze their own creative journey.
Bridging the Gap to Mastery
The program’s primary goal is to move students beyond basic foundational skills toward a “mastery level” required for AP Portfolio courses. Teachers emphasize that the most common pitfall for developing artists is rushing through the craftsmanship phase.
“We aren’t looking for perfection we are looking for the acquisition of new skills,” the department noted. The focus remains on persistence and a positive mindset. While the staff provides ample time for projects, the expectation is a genuine attempt at the work, as these smaller milestones lead directly to the “Major Project” that concludes the academic year.