NCHS Art Classes

Mini-Still Life Paintings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 10:35:54 -0500

Prior to creating a final still life painting, students completed a 4 X 5 inch mini practice painting to develop their observational skills and experiment with light and form. Working from direct observation under direct art room spot lighting, each artist selected a shell and a flower, using a viewfinder to zoom in and crop a dynamic, close-up composition. This focused exercise allowed students to practice color mixing, render intricate textures, and study how directional light highlights subtle contours before tackling their full-scale compositions.

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Painting Class Update

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 18:09:41 -0500

Students began the year exploring watercolor through a 24-part experiment series—practicing techniques like glazing, lifting, graded washes, wet-on-wet blending, and unconventional methods using coffee, masking tape, and plastic wrap. They learned to control water flow and transparency, then demonstrated their skills in a free-choice project incorporating six of these techniques.

In mid-September, the class transitioned to acrylic painting. After practicing color blending through vibrant "ribbon" exercises, students tackled a color-matching task with muted tones to refine their eye for subtle variations.

Currently, students are creating miniature still-life paintings. These small-scale works let them apply their new blending and color-matching skills in preparation for an upcoming large-scale still life.

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Drawing I: Final Ink Project

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:59:11 -0500

This gallery showcases Drawing I students' final ink compositions, inspired by their own photographs. In this project, students applied ink pen hatching techniques, layering lines to create value, contrast, and gradation. By mastering cross-hatching—as well as exploring line removal in a series of scratchboard drawings—they brought depth, dimension, and texture to their work.

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Radial Design Project

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Blidy) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:28:45 -0500

In Design class, students recently explored the fundamentals of abstract art by creating dynamic radial compositions. Using templates, rulers, and traditional pen-and-ink techniques, they combined organic and geometric shapes to develop intricate designs. The projects emphasized the balance between positive and negative space, as well as the use of overlapping forms and visual texture to add depth and complexity. Each student's piece is a unique interpretation of these principles. Click the image below to view the full gallery!

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Art Students Bring Home Sandwich Fair Ribbons!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:02:26 -0500

Congratulations to our talented NCHS artists who represented our school at the 138th Annual Sandwich Fair! Each year, the Sandwich Fair Board invites junior artists to showcase their creativity, and our students rose to the challenge with a wide variety of submissions.

Evan Sittler (Class of 2027) earned the coveted Grand Champion award for his photograph taken during a bass fishing tournament.

First Place Premiums were awarded to Evan Sittler for his photograph, a ceramic vase, and a ceramic teapot; Inigo Garcia-Lopez (Class of 2027) for his photograph; Shawn Seyller (Class of 2027) for his ceramic animal; and Jacob Seyller (Class of 2026) for his ink cabin drawing.

Second Place Premiums were awarded to Evan Sittler for his deer in forest drawing, tiger drawing, and whale drawing; Jaxon Collins (Class of 2027) for his ink drawing; and Greg Begovac (Class of 2028) for his pencil drawing.

Third Place Premiums were awarded to Evan Sittler for his alligator drawing, Texas longhorn drawing, and ceramic animal; and Gryffin Sittler (Class of 2030) for his pencil drawing.

Way to go, NCHS artists! A special thank you goes out to all who participated: Emma Dierzen (Class of 2026), Matthew Underhill (Class of 2027), Scarlett Hopkins (Class of 2028), and Liam Smith (Class of 2028). Your creativity and effort make our school shine. Don’t forget to enter your artwork in next year’s Sandwich Fair for another opportunity to share your talent and earn recognition!

Evan Sittler, Class of 2027

Inigo Garcia Lopez, Class of 2027

Shawn Seyller, Class of 2027

Jacob Seyller, Class of 2026

Evan Sittler, Class of 2027

Jaxon Collins, Class of 2027

Greg Begovac, Class of 2028

Evan Sittler, Class of 2027

Gryffin Sittler, Class of 2030

Emma Dierzen, Class of 2026

Matthew Underhill, Class of 2027

Scarlett Hopkins, Class of 2028

Liam Smith, Class of 2028

Jacob Seyller, Class of 2026

Jaxon Collins, Class of 2027

2026-2027 Agenda Book Design Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 11:34:26 -0500

Congratulations to Colin Shields, Class of 2028, for winning the 2026–2027 Agenda Book Design Contest! Colin's design was selected from 18 submissions by the Computer Graphics class. His artwork will be featured on the front and back covers of next year's student agenda book. Way to go, Colin!

Ceramics II Spring 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 13:08:25 -0500

The Ceramics II course builds upon the foundational skills learned in Ceramics I. Through project-based assignments, students are encouraged to develop a stronger personal voice in their artwork. Projects begin with open-ended prompts that students may choose to follow "as-is" or use as a launching point for their own ideas. This approach allows students to apply their technical knowledge while exploring individual interests, strengthening both their craftsmanship and artistic expression.

This gallery showcases a wide range of student work from the Spring 2026 semester, including wheel-thrown pottery, hand-built clocks, birdhouses, and sculptural forms. New projects introduced this year included ceramic figures and connected wheel-thrown constructions that challenged students to create larger and more complex vessels. Throughout the semester, students combined creativity, problem-solving, and technical skill to produce artwork that reflects their unique perspectives. Enjoy this very large gallery featuring over sixty works of art created by both Ceramics II classes!

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Drawing II: Personal Theme Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 05:23:59 -0500

For their final Drawing II project, students created an AP-style drawing centered on a personally selected theme. Beginning with a central concept, students identified and explored related subtopics, then developed a unified work of art based on one of those ideas using original reference materials.

Throughout the unit, students strengthened their skills in composition, color theory, and drawing techniques while learning to communicate complex concepts through visual art. This project encouraged both technical growth and creative problem-solving, providing valuable experience for students interested in pursuing AP Art and Design in the future.

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Art I Dream Room Project

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 9 Jun 2026 05:15:00 -0500

The following gallery showcases the final drawing projects created by Art I students using two-point perspective. Two-point perspective is a drawing technique that allows artists to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface.

Students were challenged to design and illustrate their own "dream room," filling the space with as many imaginative details as possible. Beginning with a basic room template, students personalized their designs by adding furniture, decorations, hobbies, interests, and unique architectural features. Many students went beyond the project requirements by creating additional rooms, staircases, lofts, second floors, basements, and other creative extensions. These optional additions demonstrate each student's creativity for developing the best possible design. The drawings were evaluated on perspective accuracy, attention to detail, craftsmanship, and originality. Great work, Art I!

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Congratulations, AP Studio Art!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 16 May 2026 10:16:01 -0500

Congratulations to the 2026 AP Studio Art Class at NCHS on an outstanding art show! The evening was a great opportunity to reflect on an incredible year of creativity, growth, and hard work. The artwork on display highlighted not only the individual voices and talents of each artist, but also the strength and creativity of the class as a whole.

A special touch to the event was a cake created by one of our Drawing II students — a thoughtful “passing of the torch” gesture that symbolized the next generation of artists continuing the tradition.

I’m incredibly proud of everything this group has accomplished. Congratulations again to the entire class, and best wishes to our graduating seniors as they begin their next chapter!

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Congratulations to our 2026 Advanced Placement Art students

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 9 May 2026 17:12:31 -0500

Congratulations to our 2026 Advanced Placement Art students — Emma Dierzen, Hannah Severson, Jacob Seyller, Evan Sittler, Sophia Solis, Kaden Stanford, Daniel Venegas, and Rylie Young — on completing their year-long portfolios for the AP Exam by the Friday deadline. This represents a tremendous accomplishment, requiring the creation of high-level artwork on a rigorous timeline in a course that began last summer.

To celebrate their achievements, the Art Department will host an open-house style art show featuring the students and the work they have produced throughout the year on Friday, May 15, from 5:30–7:00 PM in the gymnasium. Guests are welcome to arrive and stay as long as they wish.

Please note: This exhibition reflects authentic student artistic expression developed through the AP Art portfolio process. Some artwork may explore mature themes and may be best suited for viewers ages 14 and up.

2026 Art Student of the Semester

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 8 May 2026 10:52:42 -0500

The Visual Arts Department is proud to recognize Wren Winner as Student of the Semester. Wren was nominated for her outstanding artistic achievement, creativity, and positive presence in the classroom. Her work in ink, colored pencil, and graphite consistently exceeded expectations, demonstrating advanced technical skill, strong composition, and ambitious subject matter well beyond the high school level. Beyond her talent, Wren’s humor, energy, and contributions to classroom culture—from “Table Three” to the legendary “Purple Protest”—made her a standout member of the art program. Congratulations, Wren!

An Introduction to the Art of Perspective Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 14:59:00 -0500

During the spring semester, Art I students were introduced to two point perspective drawing as a way to create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. Students applied mathematical concepts such as vanishing points, horizon lines, and guidelines lines to accurately construct space, proportions, and depth within their compositions. These skills connect directly to geometry and spatial reasoning, helping students understand how objects change in size and position as they recede into space.

Building on earlier shading techniques, students combined value, contrast, and form to strengthen the illusion of realism in their work. The selection of drawings shown below highlight strong attention to detail, and thoughtful use of perspective. Way to go, artists!

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Collaborative Relief Tile Mural

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:31:00 -0500

Ceramics Class – Spring 2025
Students in Art I used slab construction—flat pieces of clay—to create individual tiles based on a section of a larger image. Each student translated their assigned portion into a sculptural relief by carving away the background, a process often described as “drawing in clay.” These individual tiles were then assembled to reconstruct the full iguana image as a unified mural.

Relief sculpture is designed to be viewed from the front and exists in two primary forms: low relief (bas-relief), where forms project slightly from the surface, and high relief, where more than half of the form extends outward.

This project emphasizes 21st-century skills, including collaboration, visual communication, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Students worked both independently and collectively, ensuring their individual tiles aligned in scale, composition, and craftsmanship to contribute to a cohesive final piece.

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Drawing II: Dictionary Design Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:15:00 -0500

In Drawing II, students are challenged to create a cohesive artwork based on four words that share the same letter. This exercise encourages students to explore creative ways of combining different visual elements into a single piece of art. By focusing on a specific set of words, students are required to think outside the box and stretch their imagination to produce an artwork that tells a story or conveys a particular emotion or message.

Through this exercise, students practice their skills in composition, color theory, and drawing techniques while also developing their ability to convey complex ideas through visual art. This exercise serves as valuable practice for students pursuing AP Studio Art, where they will be challenged to produce a portfolio of artworks that demonstrates their mastery of various mediums and techniques.

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Art I Clay Food Sculpture

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 07:32:00 -0500

The following clay sculptures were created by first-year Art students, showcasing both creativity and technical skill. Throughout this unit, students explored how artists like Claes Oldenburg and Peter Anton have transformed everyday food into compelling works of art, examining the role of scale, texture, and visual impact in their pieces.

Inspired by these artists, Art I students designed and built their own food “sculptures” using clay. Students were assessed on their ability to use texture, demonstrate neatness while using proper handbuilding techniques. Art I students were also assessed on accuracy of color, use of color value to accent textures, color intensity to control brightness, originality, and overall presentation. Students created fantastic work, as you can see below!

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AP Studio - Portfolio Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 3 Apr 2026 07:09:00 -0500

AP Studio Art Drawing Portfolio update. The finish line is in sight—just two more artworks to go before these talented artists complete their portfolios!

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Drawing II Invented Environments

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 1 Mar 2026 08:49:00 -0600

The Invented Environments Project challenged our Drawing II students to design imaginative, original landscapes by thoughtfully combining three copyright-free images inspired by written prompts. As their first experience creating a drawing from a digitally collaged reference, they embraced the process with creativity and confidence. Using photo editing software, students carefully made compositions that demonstrated their understanding of "The Rule of Thirds" and "Focal Point" from Drawing I. They then transferred their work onto toned paper and brought their environments to life in colored pencil, skillfully rendering lighting, color relationships, and detail, to seamlessly unify their imagery. I’m incredibly proud of the growth, problem-solving, and artistic confidence they demonstrated throughout this project! Way to go, Drawing II!

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AP Studio Art Drawing – Portfolio Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 10:30:00 -0600

AP Studio Art Drawing Project #8 update. The finish line is in sight—just four more artworks to go before these talented artists complete their portfolios!

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Drawing II: Mixed Media Grid Drawing

noreply@blogger.com (Mr. Blidy) — Sat, 7 Feb 2026 11:21:00 -0600

In Drawing II, students were challenged to build a unified artwork using a wide range of materials. Working within a grid format, they explored graphite, colored pencil, ink, scratchboard, marker, watercolor, and acrylic paint—discovering how each medium brings its own voice and texture to an image.

This project strengthened students’ understanding of composition, color theory, and drawing techniques while pushing them to maintain visual cohesion across varied surfaces and styles. By translating a single image through multiple mediums, students developed both technical control and creative problem-solving skills.

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AP Studio Art Drawing – Portfolio Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 21:48:00 -0600

As AP Studio Art Drawing students move into their eighth portfolio piece, they’re building on the momentum of the first half of the course. With a stronger sense of direction and growing confidence, students are refining their ideas, taking creative risks, and making more intentional artistic choices. Their evolving craftsmanship and conceptual depth reflect a deeper engagement with both process and personal voice.

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2025-2026 Ceramics I Class

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:50:00 -0600

The Ceramics I Animal Box Project challenged students to build slab boxes with lids topped by realistic animal sculptures. The box sides illustrated each animal’s habitat through sculpted texture and form, informed by photo references, or plastic 3D models. Students finished their work with an antiquing paint technique to emphasize depth and natural detail. This project strengthened skills in sculpting, surface design, and color while encouraging thoughtful observation of animals and their environments, showcasing both creativity and craftsmanship of our student artists!

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AP Studio Art Drawing – Portfolio Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 08:58:00 -0600

Our AP Studio Art Drawing students continue to impress as they complete their sixth portfolio piece. Now officially halfway through the portfolio, students are finding their rhythm—adjusting to the pace of the course while pushing their creativity and problem-solving skills. It’s exciting to see their confidence grow as their ideas and craftsmanship continue to develop!

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Art I Final Graphite Drawings

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:55:00 -0600

The following pencil drawings are the end result of a unit by first-year art students. Many of these students explored shading for the first time, and with dedication and practice, they produced impressive work!

The class brought in their own photographic resources to work from, and utilizing the techniques they learned throughout the semester, they were able to contour draw and reproduce the highlights and shadows in their images. The end product is a collection of realistic drawings that showcase the progress and development of the students' new-found talent!

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2025 Art Student of the Semester

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 6 Dec 2025 18:03:00 -0600

The Visual Arts Department is proud to recognize Jaxon Collins as Student of the Semester for his high standard of excellence through engagement, positive attitude, and quiet focus in the ceramics studio. His work shows exceptional precision, from his technically masterful nesting bowls to his ambitious current project—a realistic bison set among pine trees. Jaxon brings positivity, reliability, humor, and even great music to the classroom environment. His kindness is evident in the support he offers others, including helping our foreign exchange student feel welcomed. For his artistry, dedication, and determination—especially in persevering with the potter’s wheel—it is my honor to recognize him as Student of the Semester. Way to go, Jaxon!