This course enables students to further develop their knowledge and skills in visual arts. Students will use the creative process to explore a wide range of themes through studio work that may include drawing, painting, sculpting, and printmaking, as well as the creation of collage, multimedia works, and works using emerging technologies. Students will use the critical analysis process when evaluating their own work and the work of others.

Prerequisite: Visual Arts, Grade 9 or 10, Open

Unit 1: Drawing and Design

This unit focuses on drawing techniques and styles, exploring different media such as pencil, conte, crayons, and pastels. Students will practice drawing from different sources, such as real life, printed images, and imagination. They will also learn about composition and design concepts related to special events.

Unit 2: Engraving

This is a printmaking unit. In this unit, students will learn about embossing and embossing techniques, focusing on the use of linoleum blocks and metal plates. They will explore the concept of relief printing and the materials and tools necessary for it. Students will become familiar with the process of linoleum block engraving, including the preparation of the blocks and the application of different carving techniques. They will also be introduced to metal plate engraving, learning how to prepare the plates, and experimenting with different methods to create texture and depth.

Unit 3: Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Work

In this unit, students will explore different aspects of relief sculpture and figurative sculpture in plaster. The lessons will focus on the fundamentals of relief sculpture, including different artistic styles and periods in which it is used. The unit will help students gain skills specific to working with clay in relief sculpture, such as modeling and carving techniques, and understand, how the properties of clay affect the appearance and durability of the work.

Unit 4: Colour Oil Painting

In this unit, students will learn about oil painting, an artistic medium that has been used for centuries to create masterpieces. Students will explore the basics and techniques of oil painting, such as preparing the surface, mixing colours, applying layers, and using brushes. They will also learn about colour theory and how to apply it to oil painting to create depth, contrast, and visual interest. In addition, students will learn about the history and examples of oil painting, from its origins to its movements and most influential artists.

Unit 5: Art History and Art Appreciation

This unit is about art history and art appreciation, covering significant moments like the Italian Renaissance, Nordic Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Canadian Art. In this unit, students will explore the key features, historical context, and stylistic themes of each movement, analyze and interpret representative works of art, and understand how these moments have shaped art history and contributed to our understanding and appreciation of artistic traditions.