Is it normal to have such an unenthusiastic student

You are a great teacher for caring so much...but let him go...the kids that really care need your time and attention...don't waste it on him..he'll learn ...what do they say , don't cast your pearls before swine.

Sometimes people just don't like art. Best thing to do is find out what type of things he is in to, Anime perhaps? If he is in to anime, then perhaps say he can draw those types of things?

Tell him he's allowed to draw anything, if that isn't what he's allowed to do already.

You have to remember that art doesn't interest everybody. You seem like a good teacher.

Is there a way he could be switched to a different class?

I think he doesn't have any interest in art. You have tried as much as you could.

Maybe he thought it was an easy A (if it's not a required class) and/or he hates art. What does he do during class? Does he talk to people or does he do absolutely nothing?

I would try assigning him something different like you said...I mean isn't he worried about failing the class at least?

Ignore him. Don't treat him any different then the other students. He will regret being so stubborn in the future. It'll teach him a lesson.

I would honestly suggest assigning him some sort of work where he draws his favorite scene from a video game, or does a sculpture of a superhero or something. I'm not sure what games he likes, but if I had had an art teacher tell me to draw something from a game I played I would have thought she was awesome! You could even do something with the whole class involving multi-panel comics, and keep it open-ended as to whether it's like a comic in the newspaper, a web-comic, or comic-book based. If you can find out what really gets him excited, believe me - there is a way to translate that to art, which may spark some interest!

Even in college, I made a cosplay of a character from a video game (American McGee's 'Alice') for a project in a fashion course, and it was much more fun to work on than anything else :) Gotta find the fire in his belly, and show him that art can fuel it, too!

Try having sex with him, it could work to motivate him.

He could be depressed.

Just because he has so much potential, doesn't mean he likes it or should make it a career. His parents could even been pressuring him to do art.

A few years ago, I got into this art college through the mail. The guy who sign me up said I had a lot of potential. Then, I started the lesson and I lost my will.... I'm a few years behind now, but I've been seeing my friends' art and it's made me want to go back to it.

I also became insecure with being an abstract/surrealist artist, because I had a teacher who wanted me to be a realist only. She abused (emotionally, verbally, and physically on one occasion) me and tried to stalk me.... Charges were never pressed....

I've regained my confidence not just from the people on here, but other as well.
You seem to really care for him. You don't know, maybe something like this happened to him before. Instead of punishing him, you should try talking to him and let him know that you have his best interests in mind. Good Luck!

Well ok if you are teaching high-school its because art is required to graduate. So he might be in it because they said it was a requirement not because he actually cares about it. Its like forcing an art student into an art class. Its not like they are going to care if they HATE history. If you are a college professor than I have to wonder why he even took the class at all. Since in many majors you can get away with skipping certain stuff like that. If its HS I personally do not get why schools force children to take classes that is not going to help them personally.

Don't worry, it's just your average pissy teenager who doesn't like art. You've done all you can, and that's what matters. Some people just don't like art! Haha but I do...okay that sounds creepy.

I dont know about that, but i have had a teacher tell me I was too enthusiastic, though she was afraid other students might hate me for it.

After having my own successful design studio for decades, I'm now a college art professor. Unmotivated students are only there because a traditional college wouldn't take them. maybe they're on some government handout for school. just experience talking, and the situation of a few dozen of these sleepers.

It depends on what his actual skill level is.
If he is no good at making at then try assigning something he can't mess up. If he is okay at it maybe you could have him take part in a group project. If he is good at it maybe you could assign him something that sparks his interests. . .

I've been a teacher and I've had similar experiences. It's hard when you get attached to the students and you value yourself according to how well your students are doing. I wouldn't give him a completely different thing to everyone else because that would disrupt the class.

Maybe he is ashamed of not being able to do anything artistic. If he thinks that it isn't worth it why not give him examples of how art earns big bucks as in branding/advertising. Might give him an incentive.

Art for me is exciting because the wonder of that blank thing in front of me could be absolutely anything I wanted it to be. I wouldn't know how to instill that wonder in another person though.

I might take him aside after class in a non-disruptive way and ask him specifically what interests him. I disagree with others saying to ignore him or pay him no extra attention. Because students don't come from the same places, live in the same homes, have the same interests, you can't treat them all the same. Sometimes, they need that extra attention at school, so that they know SOMEONE is willing to listen to them somewhere. And it's really great that you're so invested in him. That says a lot about you as an educator.

Sounds like a genius to me. You will probably see him on TV or somewhere in the future. And if he really doesn't wanna do it, he doesn't wanna do it. Doesn't matter what he's capable of, he should be able to choose the right career for himself.

give him an assignment to make art about the reasons he thinks art is useless.

he doesn't like art. period.

I think he's just insecure about drawing. It sounds like he's aware of his potential but your expectation of him is bogging him down.

Oh dear - it sound like you have my son!!

He has NEVER ever coloured in, or drawn anything in art, for the 11 years he has been at school. He is an auditory learner and has no visual capabilities at all - although he does doodle in pen on his pencil case and arms.

I think you need to tell him EXACTLY what to draw and HOW to start. Honestly, even to draw an apple, my son wouldn't know to do the outline shape first or how to use shading in any way!! As a male, I'd say he's reluctant to admit he doesn't know what to draw or how to start and the worst thing you can do is to tell him to just draw anything.

I only learned recently that my son cannot even visualise the scene as he reads a book - it's just words to him :o(

If he is into video games and comic books then he obviously appreciates visual media, so DEFINITELY use that to encourage him. But don't give him preferential treatment because he is a 'bad' art student - just do exactly what you'd do with any of the other students. If the curriculum allows some flexibility (such as video game / comic book based pieces) exploit it to help him.

If he's not into art, there's no point forcing him. I don't like Maths but had to get a GCSE in it because it's a minimum requirement to go into 6th form college (UK) and get A levels, so I did it. But art is different, it isn't a necessary academic subject if he has no interest in going into an art-based career. If he sees no point in it, he's unlikely to be enthusiastic.

Honestly, year 9, 10 and 11 are probably the times when most kids rebel and question authority, routine or structure, especially if they think it's a waste of time, so I'm not surprised you're having difficulty with him. As I say, do your job to the best of your ability, if he fails the subject, it's his own doing, you've provided him with the necessary tutorage and materials to succeed and if he is unwilling to try then it's his problem :)

Make him interested. Give him an assinment you think he'd enjoy

do you do life drawings at all?