Art themes: choices in art learning and making

Flexible in approach and full of colorful examples, this textbook provides a basic introduction to what art is and can be in the lives of people who do not necessarily think of themselves as "artists." You will be taught about a variety of art themes, genres, materials, and processes that appeal to novice art makers. The lessons are organized by themes of general subject matter or media. Options are available for work in mixed media, crafts, photography and digital media, as well as in traditional drawing or painting media. After picking a theme of particular interest to you, look next at the four strands of lessons presented in that thematic unit. Moving from left to right, select one lesson from each consecutive strand and complete that lesson. Because each lesson builds upon previously presented knowledge and developed skill, as you progress through four lessons, one from each strand, you should grow in your understanding of art concepts, meanings, and processes, while also improving your art making skills. Completing this course will help you develop a new appreciation for the power and possibilities of art learning, by understanding better the art others create, as well as making it yourself.

"Cover" -- "ART THEMES" -- "Title" -- "Copyright" -- "Contents" -- "Introduction and How to Use This Book" -- "Basics of Creating Works of Art" -- "The Thematic Units" -- "1. Lessons in Drawing Realistically" -- "Lesson 1: Shading Rounded Objects" -- "Lesson 2: Drawing Elliptical Shapes" -- "Lesson 3: Facial Proportions" -- "Lesson 4: A Mirror-Image Face" -- "Lesson 5: An Extended Photograph" -- "Lesson 6: Drawing Hands" -- "Lesson 7: Body Proportions" -- "Lesson 8: The Figure in Action" -- "Lesson 9: Inspired by da Vinci" -- "Lesson 10: A Three-Quarter-View Portrait" -- "Lesson 11: Foreshortening" -- "Lesson 12: A Portrait of a Shoe" -- "Lesson 13: Looking at Details" -- "Lesson 14: Drawing Trees" -- "Lesson 15: Drawing Animals" -- "Lesson 16: Drawing Hair" -- "Lesson 17: Drawing Shiny and Transparent Objects" -- "Lesson 18: Shadows in a Triptych" -- "Lesson 19: Grid Magic" -- "Lesson 20: A Bestiary Creature" -- "Lesson 21: Shading Flat Objects" -- "Lesson 22: Drawing in One-Point Perspective" -- "Lesson 23: Drawing in Two-Point Perspective" -- "Lesson 24: A Remodeled House" -- "Lesson 25: Architectural Design" -- "Lesson 26: A Dramatic Mood Cityscape" -- "Lesson 27: A Crowd Scen…