Ms. Carol Bradley’s Advanced Drawing and Painting class drew chalk drawings in the rally court on Sept. 29, a week before Homecoming 2021. Unfortunately, they were washed away by the rain, but luckily I had an opportunity to talk to Ms. Bradley and a few of her students. 

The theme of the assignment was “Chasing Sunsets,” based off of Homecoming. The focus was to spread encouraging messages, by making bright and cheerful colors with the chalk.  Before they drew on the ground, the students sketched and colored their ideas in pencil and color pencil on 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper. 

Junior Tyler Yu and senior Matthew Choi illustrated a tree overlooking a sunset. 

“I chose the subject since working in chalk would allow us to create some soft gradients and different textures,” said Choi. “The tree would additionally give us the opportunity to experiment with the subsurface scattering in the leaves.”

Sophomore Chloe Pan’s chalk drawing was inspired by one of her own family members.

“I drew a sunset at the beach and a cat staring at the view,” said sophomore Chloe Pan, who is in Ms. Bradley’s Advanced Drawing and Painting class. “The cat I drew is similar to my cat Kiki, who is very important to me!” 

In addition to the artists, Arcadia High School students who did not take part in drawing also enjoyed the drawings very much!

“I liked [the chalk drawings] because they were really creative and colorful! It was nice to see them all around the school, and it made the environment very lively,” said sophomore Faith Harnanto. 

“I thought they were creative and really got people in the spirit for the dance,” freshman Ella Cheung said.

Many of the students were new to drawing using chalk. The students mentioned that besides chalk, they like to use markers, crayons, colored pencils, graphite, and even charcoal. Some of their favorite artists are Disney Animator Glen Keane, and content creator Lilypichu. 

Through the pandemic, art has served as a way to cope and brought a sense of comfort and relief to people around the world. Art is very subjective, and many people have different opinions about different art pieces. However, this subjectiveness allows for the artist’s creativity and uniqueness to shine. There is no right or wrong in art, because everything comes from the artist’s own imagination. The chalk drawings that the students drew took around three to  four weeks due to rain, but their hard work paid off. 

Nowadays in the 21st century, digital art is becoming more and more common. Three of Ms. Bradley’s students gave their opinion on digital art. 

“I think I would still prefer traditional art over digital because I have more control over the mediums I use and it’s a method I’m more comfortable with,” said junior Annie Koo. 

Another student, senior Matthew Choi, shared similar opinions.

“When it comes specifically to drawing, I prefer traditional,” said Choi. “I feel that it gives me greater control over my work and is less complicated. However, I prefer digital when it comes to color since the process is more efficient.” 

On the other hand, sophomore Chloe Pan had a different perspective.  

“I prefer to draw digitally sometimes because I like how clean the lines and colors are,” Pan said. “Sometimes I prefer to draw traditionally, especially at school but my preference really depends on my mood.”

In addition to Advanced Drawing and Painting, Ms. Bradley also teaches Art I, Art Honors, and AP Art History. Art I is open to all grades and has no prerequisites. Advanced Drawing and Painting requires students to be at least a sophomore, and to have taken Art I (and earned a qualifying grade). Art Honors is the third level open to juniors and seniors,, and students are to have passed Advanced Drawing and Painting. Finally, AP Art History has no prerequisites but is only open to junior and seniors. 

The reason she chose to teach art was much based on her love for her students and the process of making art. Ms. Bradley’s art classes are not only for people who have a natural talent for it. It’s the personality that matters more.

“The most important quality students can bring to class is the willingness to try, and to see what happens with what they are making,” she said.

Everything in art is an experiment, and as long as it makes you happy and accomplished, the art has done its job. 

Photo courtesy of Matthew Choi