Art Foundations curriculum

A studio art foundation covering drawing, composition, color, value, perspective, media, critique, art history, portfolio habits, and project development.

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Beginner to intermediate visual arts

Art Foundations curriculum

A studio art foundation covering drawing, composition, color, value, perspective, media, critique, art history, portfolio habits, and project development.

Pacing

8 units, ongoing self-paced

Units

8 unit sequence

Practice

32 checked answers

Support

Self-paced or tutor-guided

Outcomes

Build visual skills through deliberate observation, iteration, and critique.
Use composition, value, color, and perspective intentionally.
Develop a portfolio process with documentation and revision.

Unit sequence

Built for independent progress first, then tutor support where the student gets stuck.

01
Observation and drawing habits
- Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.
- Build a regular sketchbook practice.
Practice: Complete three observational sketches and annotate the strongest and weakest decisions.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Complete three observational sketches and annotate the strongest and weakest decisions.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Build a regular sketchbook practice.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Observation and drawing habits
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Observation and drawing habits"?
Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.Build a regular sketchbook practice.Plan compositions with thumbnails before final work.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Observation and drawing habits" before asking a tutor for help?
Complete three observational sketches and annotate the strongest and weakest decisions.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.
02
Line, shape, and composition
- Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.
- Plan compositions with thumbnails before final work.
Practice: Create six thumbnail compositions and choose one with a written rationale.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Create six thumbnail compositions and choose one with a written rationale.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Plan compositions with thumbnails before final work.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Line, shape, and composition
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Line, shape, and composition"?
Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.Plan compositions with thumbnails before final work.Build a regular sketchbook practice.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Line, shape, and composition" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Create six thumbnail compositions and choose one with a written rationale.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
03
Value, light, and form
- Use value scales, cast shadows, and form shadows.
- Render simple solids with consistent light direction.
Practice: Draw a still life in grayscale and label the light logic.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use value scales, cast shadows, and form shadows.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Draw a still life in grayscale and label the light logic.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Render simple solids with consistent light direction.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Value, light, and form
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Value, light, and form"?
Use value scales, cast shadows, and form shadows.Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.Build a regular sketchbook practice.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Value, light, and form" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Draw a still life in grayscale and label the light logic.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
04
Color theory
- Use hue, value, saturation, temperature, and harmony.
- Mix or select colors for mood and contrast.
Practice: Build a limited-palette study and explain the color choices.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use hue, value, saturation, temperature, and harmony.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Build a limited-palette study and explain the color choices.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Mix or select colors for mood and contrast.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Color theory
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Color theory"?
Mix or select colors for mood and contrast.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.Build a regular sketchbook practice.Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Color theory" before asking a tutor for help?
Build a limited-palette study and explain the color choices.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
05
Perspective and space
- Use one-point, two-point, overlap, scale, and atmospheric perspective.
- Create believable spatial depth.
Practice: Draw a room, street, or object group using a clear horizon and vanishing points.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Use one-point, two-point, overlap, scale, and atmospheric perspective.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Draw a room, street, or object group using a clear horizon and vanishing points.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Create believable spatial depth.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Perspective and space
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Perspective and space"?
Build a regular sketchbook practice.Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.Use one-point, two-point, overlap, scale, and atmospheric perspective.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Perspective and space" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Draw a room, street, or object group using a clear horizon and vanishing points.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.
06
Media and technique
- Compare graphite, ink, paint, collage, digital, and mixed media.
- Choose media based on concept and control.
Practice: Create the same subject in two media and write what changed.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Compare graphite, ink, paint, collage, digital, and mixed media.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Create the same subject in two media and write what changed.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Choose media based on concept and control.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Media and technique
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Media and technique"?
Build a regular sketchbook practice.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.Choose media based on concept and control.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Media and technique" before asking a tutor for help?
Create the same subject in two media and write what changed.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
07
Art history and critique
- Discuss artworks using evidence from form, context, and technique.
- Give and receive critique without vague praise.
Practice: Analyze one artwork and connect two visual choices to meaning.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Discuss artworks using evidence from form, context, and technique.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Analyze one artwork and connect two visual choices to meaning.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Give and receive critique without vague praise.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Art history and critique
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Art history and critique"?
Build a regular sketchbook practice.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.Discuss artworks using evidence from form, context, and technique.Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Art history and critique" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Analyze one artwork and connect two visual choices to meaning.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
08
Portfolio project
- Develop an idea through research, sketches, revisions, and final presentation.
- Document process and reflect on growth.
Practice: Complete a final artwork with process images, critique notes, and an artist statement.
Unit work plan
1. 1
  Source study
  Start with Smarthistory and OER Commons. Take notes until you can explain: Develop an idea through research, sketches, revisions, and final presentation.
2. 2
  Worked attempt
  Produce the assignment artifact: Complete a final artwork with process images, critique notes, and an artist statement.
3. 3
  Checked answers
  Complete the PeerTutor checks below and correct misses before moving on.
4. 4
  Tutor handoff
  Bring your attempted work, the exact missed check, and one question about: Document process and reflect on growth.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
4 checked answers
Unit focus
Type the exact first word of this unit title: Portfolio project
Learning process
Which workflow is strongest?
learn, attempt, check, revise, then ask for helpskip straight to the answeravoid feedbackchange topics after one miss
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Art Foundations unit "Portfolio project"?
Use contour, gesture, measurement, and negative space.Use balance, emphasis, rhythm, scale, and framing.Document process and reflect on growth.Build a regular sketchbook practice.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Portfolio project" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Complete a final artwork with process images, critique notes, and an artist statement.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.