The Upper School studio art class is a three-year revolving course design to allow students to take from two to six semesters of studio art. The class involves work in three distinct areas:

1. The study of art appreciation
2. Two-dimensional, teacher-directed studio work in drawing & painting
3. Student-directed sketchbooks

The Lower School studio art classes, offered as part of the general curriculum as well as through the afternoon election program, vary by the semester. Class offerings have included:

Non-Western Studio Art
The goals of this course are to expand student knowledge of what is considered art and the different ways in which design problems can be solved by studying and trying techniques of art from all over the world, especially those outside the Greco-European traditions. In addition to keeping a sketchbook throughout the course with four entries a week and completing several studio projects, including but not limited to Chilkat blankets, Huichol yarn paintings, and Swedish cookie presses, students examine the history, geography, and folkloric traditions of people who produce the art forms introduced.
Plein Air Art
An art course where virtually all of the work is done out of doors, on location.  Using  scenes of the Santa Barbara Area for subject matter or inspiration, students work to develop and improve their own personal style of representing real-world settings.  Most of the work is done in watercolor, colored pencil, or pastel, and most pieces are finished in one class session.  The emphasis is on individual growth, with the student proposing goals and discussing progress for his or her own work with the teacher on a weekly basis. 
Fundamentals of Drawing
The goals of this course are designed to increase a student's ability to draw freehand using a variety of black and white media.  The elements of line, tone, texture, pattern, negative and positive space, composition, design and impact are explored in depth. 
Right Brain Drawing
The goal of this course is the improve the student's ability to realistically render objects, both inanimate and animate, including the human face.  The techniques and exercises used to teach the students are based on the process described in Betty Edward's book, Drawing on the Right side of the Brain.