This course introduces students to classical and contemporary painting, techniques and concepts, with emphasis on the understanding of its formal language and the fundamentals of artistic expression.  Even though previous painting experience is not a prerequisite for this course, the vigorous training provided will prepare students for going into a professional fine art career.  Painting from still-life, landscape, and life models from observation will be geared towards realism; at the same time, various other painting styles could be explored.  Color theory, linear perspective, compositional structure, figure/ground relationships, visual perception, spatial concepts, and critical thinking skills will all be emphasized extensively.  We will study and research major painting styles and movements in historical context.  The hope is that students will use this global approach to develop a “critical eye” in evaluation of contemporary painting.  Demonstrations, videos, PowerPoint lectures, group and individual critiques will be given throughout the course.  Acrylic will be the primary medium for this class.  This may seem like a lot to absorb – but always remember that our main emphasis will be to encourage and nourish individuality and creativity.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Introduce students to the fundamental processes of visual perception and artistic expression.
• Develop students’ confidence in using painting as a primary medium for artistic expression.
• Develop students’ ability to verbalize ideas and processes in art making.
• Develop understanding of history, major styles and contemporary issues in painting.

REFERENCE BOOKS & REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:

The New Artist’s Manual: A Complete Guide to Painting and Drawing Materials and Techniques By Simon Jennings, San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2006. ISBN 13: 978-0-8118-5124-4 or ISBN 10: 0-8118-5124-9 (Required text)

The Elements of Color by Johannes Itten (Translated by Ernst Van Hagen), New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1970. ISBN 0-442-24038-4 (optional)

Alla Prima: Everything I Know about Painting by Richard Schmid,

Manchester Center, VT: Stove Prairie Press, 1999. ISBN 0966211715 (optional)

COURSE CONTENT & SCOPE:

• Color Theory: Color wheel (primary/secondary, complementary), transparency/opacity, hue, value (intensity, brightness), chroma (saturation, purity) & temperature (warm/cold).
• Color Contrast & Attributes: Interaction, harmony, psychology/mood, culture & expression.
• Composition: Space, movement, balance, asymmetry, rhythm, shapes, proportion & lighting.
• Media Characteristics & Surfaces: Acrylic, oil, paper, wood & canvas (primed/unprimed).
• Painting Techniques: Alla prima, glazing, impasto, knife painting, scumbling & blending.
• Acrylic & Oil Mediums: Gel medium (heavy/regular/soft, gloss/semi-gloss/matte), texture medium, linseed oil, mineral spirit, turpentine, odorless turpenoid, retouch varnish & final varnish.
• Painting History: Major painting styles & masters in Renaissance, Realism, Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Expressionism, Modernism, Abstract Expressionism & Postmodernism.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

• There will be lectures of important content – about 30 minutes – at the beginning of many classes.
• Some lecture time will be used for critique, discussion of required reading or educational video shown, student’s presentation, and demonstration of various painting materials.
• Required class assignments will be started in class and may be completed outside-of-class. Additional out-of-class assignments, research and homework, may take approximately six hours per week and should be turned in for grading.
• Students are expected to keep, and turn in for evaluation, a sketchbook for sketching, thumbnail sketching, planning, idea drafting and note.

GRADING POLICY:

• Artistic creation is a comprehensive, developmental activity. Grading is based on the students’ performance in several related areas:
• Evidence of students’ understanding and mastery of techniques and concepts
• Implementation of those ideas in the particular assignments
• Willingness and attitude to experiment
• Initiative demonstrated and individual effort during and after class time
• Degree of participation in class and in group-critiques
• Overall preparedness and progress through the semester
• Students completing the basic requirements will receive a grade corresponding approximately to a “C.”
• Students meeting the basic requirements of each assignment, who attends every class, and who contributes reasonably to the general educational environment of the group, will receive a grade of “C+.”
• “B” work exceeds the basic requirements. “A” work is exceptional.
• Each project, completed in or outside class, will receive a letter grade. Your final grade will be roughly the average of all grades received; final project and class participation will be counted for approximately 25%.

ATTENDANCE POLICY:

• You are expected to attend class regularly. Excessive absences may result in a failing grade.  In this class, “excessive absences” is defined as missing more than two times.  After that, your final grade will be reduced by one-third-letter grade for each additional absence despite your performance otherwise.
• Medical or personal problems will be excused but only with professional documentation. This means a statement from a medical professional declaring that you have been ill enough to miss class.  A document that states that you had an appointment or that you saw a doctor is not enough.  Your illness must be documented as having kept you incapacitated.
• All missed activities and work will need to be made-up outside the regular class. You are responsible for the information missed as a result of an absence.  Make an appointment to see me for missed lectures.  You are responsible for what you have missed.
• Three instances of tardiness will equal one absence. Missing more than 30 minutes of a class at the beginning or at the end will both be considered an absence.  If you have trouble attending class, please discuss your attendance problems privately with me after class.
• Excessive tardiness and absences will be referred to the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences.
• After six unexcused absences, you will be dropped from the course with a failing grade.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY:

Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of a university.  All members of the academic community must be confident that each person’s work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed, and presented.  Any effort to gain an advantage not given to all students is dishonest whether or not the effort is successful.  The academic community regards academic dishonesty as an extremely serious matter, with serious consequences that range from probation to expulsion.  When in doubt about plagiarism, paraphrasing, quoting or collaboration, consult the course instructor.  Any student suspected of submitting work done by someone else will be reported to the Office of the Provost.