Basic Art and Design

This beginning class introduces students to the fundamentals of design: line, shape, color, texture, space, value and form. Through class projects and sketchbook assignments, students are encouraged to explore traditional methods of design and discover new artistic approaches of their own. The objective of these classes is to build self-confidence by showing students they are unique and that their ideas have merit. This course is a prerequisite to the rest of the art curriculum.

Studio Art

This course provides an opportunity for experimentation, expression and further exploration of the elements of design. Using a variety of materials, the students sharpen their skills. Trips to museums, slides and class discussions help the students discover their own style and sources of inspiration. The projects are open-ended to allow for personal interpretations. Some of the past class projects have included portrait collages, African masks, kiln building and raku, book and paper making, monotypes, figure drawing, wood sculpture, assemblage and painting. In addition to class projects, the students are given sketchbook assignments.

Drawing and Painting

This course focuses on feelings, ideas and perceptions using drawing or painting as the medium. Through independent thought and creative expression, fostered by the use of slides, class discussions, videos and trips to museums, the students are encouraged to think independently as they experience in-depth art-doing and art-appreciating activities. The student's inquisitive investigation of their environment, their experimentation with new and familiar materials and techniques and their own artistic abilities will pave the way for them to develop a greater self awareness and artistic confidence. Some of the past projects have included a visit to a model's studio for figure drawing, fresco making with a professional fresco artist, a trip to the Mission district to augment a mural project, stretching canvas and painting in acrylic and oil. Classes are conducted in a studio format. Students are required to keep a sketchbook with weekly assignments completed outside of class. Attention is given to the preparation of artwork and slides for portfolio presentation. Students have opportunities to meet professionals in the art field and to exhibit their work in several Marin County high school art shows.

Advanced Drawing and Painting

This class is for the art student who has completed the beginning and intermediate art classes and is possibly considering a career in the art field. Attention will be given to the preparation of artwork and slides for portfolio presentation. The students might work with professional artists. They will be preparing portfolios and, at times, working independently on their art.

Photography 1

This class is an introduction to black-and-white photography. The class includes a survey of the history of photography and an explanation of the principles of photographic materials and techniques. Content includes camera functions, shutter speeds, f-stops, depth of field, and different types of film, film speeds, film grain, and lighting. Students learn basic darkroom procedures of black-and-white film development and image printing. The class explores different types of photography: photojournalism, photo-realism, advertising fashion, and fine art. Lecture with lab time is an integral part of the class. Assignments include shooting one roll of black-and-white film bi-weekly and presenting work to the class on a weekly basis for critique. 35 mm camera required.

Photography 2

This class builds on the student’s acquired knowledge of black-and-white photography. The students concentrate on image composition and printing skills. They experiment with different types of black-and-white film, and various printing papers. We work with alternative photography processes such as Polaroid images and emulsion transfer, cyan-types, photo montage, and hand tinting photographs. Lecture with lab time is included. Assignments include shooting one roll of black-and-white film bi-weekly and presenting work on a weekly basis for critique. Students present their portfolio as a final project.

Photography 3

This course is an advanced exploration of black-and-white techniques as they apply to the practice of contemporary photography. The emphasis is on developing a strong understanding of photographic methods and materials, including the zone system of film exposure/development and fine printing techniques. The students experiment with different types of black-and-white film, and various printing papers. We continue our work with alternative photography processes such as: Polaroid image and emulsion transfer, time zero film manipulation, print toning, photo montage, and hand-tinting photographs. The students have more creative freedom to pursue their individual interests and to develop projects that have meaning for them; with the goal of building a strong portfolio of images. Lecture and lab time are included and the students enter their photographs in shows and competitions.

Digital Photography

This class will build on the student’s knowledge of traditional film photography. The class is designed as an introduction to digital photography. It will encompass all aspects of digital image making, including image and film scanning, the software program Adobe Photoshop, digital color theory and fine art ink jet printing. Emphasis is placed on the creative process, while exploring electronic image making as an effective form of communication used by photographers, artists, and designers today. Class discussion, collaboration and lab time are a significant part of the class. Assignments will include: maintaining a digital journal and contributing to a web gallery page linked to the school’s website. Students will edit and present their ten best shots on a weekly basis for a class critique.

Graphic Design

This class introduces students to design principles and the art of visual communication. We focus on design theory, image construction, page layout, and typography. The students are challenged to use their creativity to find original solutions to practical assignments such as school posters, yearbook, ads, and programs for school productions. Students build an understanding of the use of line, shape, color and visual organization to express meaning. Project emphasis is on concept and content of designs and exploration and use of symbols and visual perception. Students acquire the skills and the techniques necessary to create designs that visually communicate their message. The first half of the course focuses on projects using traditional design and layout techniques. The second half of the course focuses on use of computer programs including Adobe Creative Suite. Students are challenged to incorporate their knowledge of traditional design elements onto the digital platform.

Drama 1-4

Drama 1-4 includes instruction in acting, stage movement, theatre technology, theatre history, as well as scene writing and one-act plays. Students explore concepts spanning the definition of theatre and character development through higher level constructs such as improvisation and body and voice control. Class time is spent in a variety of activities including discussions, dramatic writing workshops, small group analysis and interpretation, improvisation, viewing of film and theatrical productions, scene work, the auditioning process, and rehearsal work. Small groups are used to generate ideas, to encourage students to share ideas with ease and to work cooperatively, to prepare group presentations, and to analyze and interpret selected works. Drama students will stage several performances throughout the year.

Jazz Band 1-4

Jazz Band is for students who understand their instrument.  The class repertoire and direction is constructed around the instrumentalists or vocalists who enroll in the class.  The students learn techniques of rehearsing and performing with a band as well as musical self-expression in terms of improvising solos.  The repertoire includes intermediate-to-advanced levels of musical literature from various periods in jazz history including Dixieland, Swing, Bebop, Latin Jazz, Modern Jazz and Rock.  Jazz history is taught in relationship to the music performed.  Performances are required each semester.  The students record the repertoire at The Marin School’s professional quality recording studio each semester and produce a CD at the end of the year.  The course may be repeated each year for additional credit.

Recording Arts

Recording Arts is for musicians and non-musicians alike.  In 2005, The Marin School purchased equipment for a fully operating recording studio.  We are now offering a class on how to use this studio.  The class is structured around the Pro-Tools recording software, which is the software used in most world-class studios today.  Students learn how to record live instruments and digital loops onto the computer.  They learn to process and edit the recorded material, to mix their recorded tracks, and to burn it to a CD.  The class meets once a week with two hours a week of outside lab time.  This class allows musicians to learn how to record their music and non-musicians to learn how music is recorded, processed and mixed. Grades for this course are not currently included in the academic GPA.