Welcome to lesson one of St. Michael's middle-high school art lessons. This beginning lesson will introduce you to art through our Catholic heritage by highlighting St. Thomas Aquinas and his explanation of the transcendentals in beauty. In the Catholic tradition, beauty is considered one of the transcendentals along with truth and goodness. St. Thomas Aquinas believed that beauty reflects the divine and leads us to a deeper understanding of God. By exploring art through this lens, we can appreciate the spiritual significance of beauty in our creative endeavors.

Students will also be introduced to the first element of art - line, and the beginning drawing skills of contour and blind contour. Lines are fundamental in art as they give shape and structure to our creations. Contour drawing involves creating a detailed outline of an object, focusing on its edges and defining features. Blind contour drawing, on the other hand, requires drawing the object without looking at your paper, which can enhance hand-eye coordination and observational skills. For this lesson, have your drawing materials ready, including paper, a pencil, and an image of apples to set up and practice drawing from.

As you begin your journey into the world of art at St. Michael's, remember that creativity is a gift from God, and through our artistic expressions, we can glorify Him. By learning to see the beauty in the world around us and honing our drawing skills, we can better appreciate the wonder of creation and our role as co-creators with God. Embrace this opportunity to explore art not just as a skill, but as a way to connect with Jesus and enrich your understanding of the world. Let's start with lines, shapes, and the beauty of creation in our first lesson together.

Additional Reading (optional)
https://www.newadvent.org/summa/1005.htm Q5 Article 4, St. Thomas Aquinas on goodness and beauty.

Lesson Summary

Welcome to lesson one of St. Michael's middle-high school art lessons. This beginning lesson introduces art through our Catholic heritage by highlighting St. Thomas Aquinas and his explanation of the transcendentals in beauty. In the Catholic tradition:

• Beauty is considered one of the transcendentals along with truth and goodness.
• St. Thomas Aquinas believed beauty reflects the divine and leads us to a deeper understanding of God.

Through this approach, we can appreciate the spiritual significance of beauty in creative endeavors. You will be introduced to:

• The first element of art - line
• Beginning drawing skills of contour and blind contour

Lines are essential in art as they give shape and structure to creations. Contour drawing focuses on detailed outlines and defining features, while blind contour drawing enhances hand-eye coordination and observational skills. To start:

• Prepare drawing materials: paper, a pencil, and an image of apples for practice

Remember, creativity is a gift from God. By seeing beauty in the world and honing drawing skills, we can better appreciate creation. Embrace art as a way to connect with Jesus and enrich your understanding of the world. Let's start exploring lines, shapes, and creation together.

Objectives:

• Introduction to the transcendentals and understanding beauty in light of St. Thomas Aquinas
• Demonstrate the first element of art - line
• Show basic drawing methods like Contour & Blind Contour Drawing, Overlap, and Line Quality

Supplies Needed:

• Drawing pencil (No 2 or HB) and an eraser
• Sketchbook or computer paper for notes and artwork

Stages of Work:

• Stage 1: Introduction to line and drawing
• Stage 2: Contour drawing of apples
• Stage 3: Blind contour practice
• Stage 4: Guided finished drawing on apples and overlap