1. Do you use templates or cartooning methods in the program?
No, the fine arts method does not use templates or cartooning. Fine arts is a genre of art that uses gestural drawing skills often based on observation. The term "Fine Arts" denotes the genre of art not the quality. Please research this topic if you are not familiar with it. You can also look at the Gallery and see for yourself that the artworks are too complex and rich to have been created from rudimentary templates or cartooning methods, using circles and ellipses.
2. How long does it take before my child can get into the intermediate or advance classes?
The results will vary from individuals. Just because your child attended the beginning class this quarter, does not guarantee that he/she will automatically be placed in the intermediate or advance level next quarter. It takes at least a couple of quarters or years to be considered intermediate or advance at Avant-Garde Art Studio. Our standards are higher than most place for intermediate and advance levels. Do not be fixated on the prestige that comes with bragging rights of being in the intermediate or advance classes, but rather focus on developing your skill sets. In the art world, your title or pedigree won't count for much if your work is weak.
3. Will there be homework?
Painting and drawing at home is an excellent idea. An artist will not grow if they do not practice at home. The studio/class time is meant to give an introduction to the subject and for the instructor to critique your work. The home studio is necessary for the serious artist to practice these skill sets and to have their creative moment. Home work will be given from time to time and it is expected to be turned in completed.
4. How do you manage a studio with multiple levels of skill sets?
This has been done in just about every university and community college art classes in America. Look at an Ohlone College schedule for a painting class and you will see beginner to advance together. The difference in art classes versus a science or math classes is that the assignments in art are scalable to various levels. For example, students can be using the same still life, but the beginners will just draw it in a classical way while the advance students will be asked to do a Cubist painting of it.
5. How important is it that students visit major art museums and learn art history?
Both are paramount to being an authentic visual artist. You must be exposed to great works of art from the classical to the contemporary. There is no substitute for seeing a masterpiece in real life. Seeing it on the web is just not the same. In Europe up until the turn of the century, a properly educated gentleman or lady takes " Le Grand Tour" through Italy and France to study the classic paintings and sculpture. The British were big on Le Grand Tour and they sent their children to Italy to study the classics or antiquity which are called "Place Markers." The Belvedere Torso and the Laocoon are two examples for famous Place Markers found in Italy. Connecting art history to the studio practice is very important because contemporary work can often draw from the past.
6. How can you help my teenager prepare for AP Studio Art or a B.F.A. program?
The instructor will provide the training but will NOT develop the portfolio for you during class time. This would be cheating. You are supposed to apply the skill sets and do your now work at home. The ideas should be original and yours. If you want a consultation for the portfolio or application process, then you will need to set up a private session.
7. Do you have a curriculum? Can the student do whatever they want?
There is a structured curriculum and assignments planned for each quarter. It is not a free for all party studio where students run the class. Read the Eight Studio Habits of Mind on the Home page to understand the process or learning objectives. If your child wants to do whatever, then this is not the place. This is not a party place like a Wine and Canvas party, Color Me Mine or at Pump It Up.
8. My child is so good at drawing already…She/he draws Manga and cartoons so well, so can she/he go to the intermediate or advance fine arts class?
The answer is no. The skill sets in fine arts is far more demanding and challenging than in cartooning. If your child is really set on Manga or cartooning, its better to find the appropriate program in the field. Fine Arts has nothing to do with Manga. Read #1.