Course Description

This is a beginning painting course.  The course shall cover the basics of oil painting, such as materials, techniques, and general painting issues.  In addition, references to painters and paintings throughout history shall be used to demonstrate concepts discussed in class and to broaden the student's visual vocabulary and historical awareness of painting.  Convincing volume and basic pictorial composition shall be the primary painting issues explored in this class.  All work in this course shall be done from observation, using mostly still-life and some figure work.  I am mainly concerned about getting the students accustomed to using and thinking with brushes.  Also, I hope to demonstrate to them the importance of painting as a thinking process and as a language.

WEEKS 1-5

Getting Started

Paints and Brushes
Preparing canvas and paper

Blocking-In

The Whole vs. The Part
Broad vs. Controlled
Loose vs. Tight
Sketchy vs. Detailed

Painting the Squint
    Massing Tones, Areas and Shapes.  First broad, then toward specific.

Color is Relative
    Aspects of Color:  Temperature, Hue, Chroma and Value
    Referring to the previous weeks
    Mutability of color - shifts in aspects of color

WEEKS 11-16

The Figure

Figure vs. Ground

HOMEWORK:

Weekly assignments are given that reflect and reinforce ideas and concepts addressed during classes.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance

You may have 3 absences.  Any more absences after the 3rd and your final grade will be lowered by a full letter grade.  Any more absences after the 4th may result in your final grade being lowered more.

More than 3 tardies and I will lower your final semester grade by a letter grade.  See example for absences.

Homework

All homework assignments should be done on time and in your portfolio for the end of semester reviews.  If you are absent when an assignment is given, either contact me or a classmate to find out what is due and when.  You are responsible for all homework being turned in on time.  The second late homework will result in your final average being lowered by a full letter grade.

Portfolio

A portfolio containing all homework assignments and some class work shall be reviewed at the end of the semester for a final grade.

Grading:

Handling of materials and drawing skills:  that is, technical proficiency.  This means I will consider how well you use the drawing materials to complete the objectives of this course.  I will grade your drawing skills:  whether or not and by how much your overall ability to draw has improved.

Ability to absorb and interpret concepts and issues taught in class:  your ability to draw will be judged by your ability and progress to absorb and interpret the concepts taught in this course.

Letter Grade:  you will receive a letter grade for a final grade.  The final letter grade will be established according to the grading guidelines set forth in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

If you are unsure of your grade or progress in this course it is your responsibility to find out your status in this course.

Paint

Titanium white
Cadmium yellow medium
Yellow ochre
Cadmium red deep
Viridian
Ultramarine blue
Burnt sienna
Mars black

#'s 3, 5, 6, 10, 12 -- filberts, flats and brights -- all bristle (hog hair) brushes.
Make sure you do not get all flats, all brights, etc.:  get a variety.
Two-inch-wide inexpensive brush for gesso and washes.

Glass palette:  12"x16" minimum size (not plexi or metal)
Paint scraper
1 gallon turpentine (must read:  Pure Gum Spirits of Turpentine)
Note:  AVOID the brand name "Parker"
safflower oil
palette knife
2 sets of stretchers (sizes to be announced)
18"x24" pad of good drawing paper -- sturdy -- 20 sheets
Small jar with cover
2 wide-mouth jars with covers
Shallow (tuna fish or cat food can)
Cloth rags or absorbent paper towels, 1 roll

*This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to accommodate instructional and/or student needs.  It is the student's responsibility to keep abreast of such changes.

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