Learn foundational art principles that apply to multiple media. The course begins with illustration, and moves toward graphic art, so that students can express and communicate ideas, emotions, and experiences, with the intent of influencing their world.

I hope to put all the lessons here on line. If anyone is interested in teaching an art class to another co-op, I hope you can find ideas that help. Also, feel free to use the above logo.

The class will employ traditional art mediums and show how to take illustrations and ideas into computer graphics, wall murals, and other means of mass distribution.

Specific hand tools have not been decided yet, however, the following are certain: Crayola brand colored pencils, 100 count box. I have seen colored pencils at the art store that were probably better quality, had an incredible variety of colors, and were very pricey. I have also used colored pencils of lesser quality, so these will do.

Pentel brand hi-polymer eraser. This is a soft white eraser for pencil that I have been very pleased with.

Some means of sharpening pencils. I have tried different types and brands of manual and electric sharpeners, with poor results. I didn't spend more than $25, but have since gone to hobby knife and empty coffee can to catch the shavings. Also, I use a cheap sharpening stone to keep the tip fine.

For pencils, I use ordinary #2 pencils, although, here is a case of getting what you pay for. It's been my experience that cheaper pencils are more difficult to sharpen.

Before I can recommend pens, I will need to spend some time investigating. Myself, I use a great variety of pens, but I do art professionally and as a ministry, so I don't expect students to acquire what I have. In the past, I had students use a Sharpie brand ultra fine black marker, but they were younger students, and I wasn't including computer graphics lessons in the class, so the requirements were different. The goal for me will be to find an economical, disposable pen that doesn't leave fuzzy edges on the lines.

Brushes will be synthetic bristle artists brushes. This will allow us to work with water base paints, probably high quality latex house paint. Seriously. I'll buy it by the gallon, and we'll make big paintings, as an intro to mural painting. I'm hoping to also work with some vehicle graphics, which will require a few lettering and outliner brushes. Maybe somebody will volunteer a church van that we can liven up.

As far as computer related equipment goes, students need to try diligently to acquire the following items:

A digital camera. It might be possible to borrow one from a family friend, or have another student accompany you with their camera to get pictures.

A scanner. This need not be new, I was given two that were purchased from a thrift store for $5 each, they were put back into their original boxes, and were in great shape. I was also given an all in one unit (printer, scanner, fax). The printer part didn't work, but the scanner was fine. Again, it is quite possible that this work can be done on a scanner belonging to someone else.

It is assumed that all students have a computer in the home, as this is how the co-op communicates. An older unit might slow you down, but by older I mean really old, like late 90's. I myself have alot of old computers, so I know that a P4, 500MB ram, 40 gig HDD will do, but more is better, without a doubt.

Most of my learning and experience with computer graphics is with an older version of Corel Draw Suite. Lately though, for the sake of this class, I have been learning to use two freeware programs, Inkscape, and Gimp. I have been VERY pleased with their abilities. Very pleased. You will need Win 2000 OS or newer to run Gimp, probably the same for Inkscape. (Or Linux)