Students that take the Art 1 course learn how to draw and shade with a pencil. They first do assignments such as a basic value chart, a smooth gredation, and a technique chart to help them get accustomed to the different pencil strokes. Then they start shading the basic geometrical shapes (cone, cylinder, sphere, etc.) in pencil. The difference between light, medium, and dark values is stressed more so than any other principle. They then use those basic principles and apply them to the more complex assignments, such as the Shapes in Space assignment and the pencil portrait. After the pencil portrait they move to paint, building on the same principles as done with pencil.