syllabus.pdf
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Course Description
This course will explore the materials and techniques of acrylic painting, including application, color mixing, creative visual problem solving, and the study of composition.
(Prereq: ART 1600, ART 1101, ART 1141, ART 1501 & ART 1541 or ART 1531 or IND 1470; or permission of instructor)
3.000 Credit hours
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, the student should be able to:
•Apply Knowledge of formal elements, composition and techniques of painting
• Complete an in-depth compositional analysis of contemporary and historical paintings
• Demonstrate acrylic painting processes and techniques of alla- prima, glazing, underpainting, scumbling and drybrush
• Identify the properties of acrylic paints, mediums, and the complexities of pigments that affect drying time, transparency, opacity and permanency
• Construct and prepare stretcher bars, canvas and other painting grounds
• Recognize proper safety precautions
• Demonstrate sound craftsmanship and technical skill in presentation of paintings
• Critically analyze technical, conceptual and aesthetic aspects of finished and in-progress work.
Required Text
• ‘New Acrylics: Essential Sourcebook’ by Rheni Tauchid
• ‘Painter’s Handbook’ by Mark David Gottsegen
Attendance
Attendance is required. If you are not in class, you are considered absent. This class meets four times weekly; two absences will be tolerated before a final grade is affected. A third absence will lower your grade by one full letter (B to C, for example). Each absence beyond the second will lower the final grade by another full letter grade. You are reminded that lateness is both rude and distracting. Please make every effort to be punctual. Excessive tardiness will prejudice your final grade. Attendance is always required on Studio Days. It is expected that you will be properly prepared to work during class time. If you are not prepared to complete the required work on the required day you will be considered absent. You are required to work outside of class on assignments and projects. There will not be enough time during class times for you to complete your assignments. Projects are due at the beginning of class on critique days. Failure to attend the final critique will result in a failing grade for the course.
Due Dates
All assignments are due at the start of class on the day indicated on the assignment sheet. If you are late so is your work. Work will not be accepted unless you arrive with it. Due dates coincide with critiques and your work will not be critiqued unless you are in attendance on the relevant day. Failure to complete an assignment on time will result negatively on the project grade. It is the student’s responsibility to complete each assignment in a timely manner. It is the student’s responsibility to resolve each assignment in accordance to the written instructions given. In addition, it is the student’s responsibility to confirm and/or clarify a point prior to resolving an assignment. Class time and/or office hours are appropriate times to do this. Incomplete work will not be given “suggestions” during critique. If the student requires additional explanation, this will be offered at the end of critique if time is available, or in office hours.
Open Studio
Studio time will be built into this class. This time is for you to work under supervision in the studio. This is the best time to ask me specific questions about your work, get feedback on your work in progress. It is expected that you will have enough work to occupy the full class period. Otherwise, studio hours outside of class will be available and posted on the door. It is also expected that students put in adequate studio time outside of class. It will be necessary to ensure a quality outcome in your work.
Breakdown of Letter Grades
ASSIGNMENTS
This course is comprised of four projects and one presentation.
Every project will receive a letter grade based on the following:
•Craftsmanship – the technique, style, and quality of work.
•Creativity – the use of original and imaginative ideas.
•Content – that which is referenced by the work.
•Composition – successful utilization of the elements and principles of design
•Completion / Complexity – level of investigation into resolving the assignment.
•Critique participation – level of involvement in both offering, and absorbing commentary on works presented in class
All categories contribute equally to the formulation of your grade.
SKETCHBOOK
A sketchbook will also be kept throughout the class. It will serve as a process-folio containing record, research, and experiment. On occasion, sketchbooks will be surrendered to the instructor for further understanding of the students’ processes. The sketchbook will constitute a percentage of your final grade equivalent to one project. This is to encourage the practice of investigating ideas before taking them to canvas, and to instill a habit of research.
Breakdown of Letter Grades (cont.)
ARTIST PRESENTATION
Every student will give a visual presentation on a selected/pre-approved painter. The presentation will coincide with a historical emulation project, and consist of image examples and further details will be provided in class.
FINAL GRADES
Every item listed in the above categories will receive a letter grade (A-F). Final semester grades will take into consideration all completed work, participation in critiques, sketchbooks, formal artist presentation, attendance, as well as level of improvement in all aspects of art making.
Assignment / Final Grades:
A = Superior – The grade A indicates that work is superlative and surpasses expectations for the assignment, that critique participation is exceptional, often leading discussions with full interest in other students’ ideas and work.
B = Above Average – The grade B indicates that work is extraordinary and goes beyond the minimal requirements of an assignment, that critique participation is exemplary and fully respectful of other students’ ideas.
C = Average – The grade C indicates that work is completed as assigned, that participation in the critique is regular and fully respectful of other students’ ideas.
D = Below Average – The grade D indicates that work is completed, but is not completed as assigned, that participation in critique is sporadic or minimal.
F = Failure – The grade F indicates that work is not completed as assigned and that there is minimal or no participation in the assignment critique.
Critique
A major component of the course is the ongoing development of an ability to comment upon work made by oneself and one’s peers. It is beneficial to receive such comments as they can accelerate ideas and act as motivation for future work. Attendance of all class critiques is MANDATORY. Failure to attend critique on your day to show your work will adversely impact your final grade for that project. Being late to critique is disruptive, rude and hindering to the overall atmosphere. Failure to attend final class critique days will result in a failing course grade. It is important for everyone to be present and to start on time in order to adequately critique everyone’s work. Your participation in critique is important. It will be considered as a component of your project grade and your final grade.
Course Policies
• When in class, work should be done for this class only.
• It is expected that distracting items unrelated to this course, do not interfere with the studio experience.
Studio Policies
• All solvents, and solvent-based mixtures must be labeled with name/semester/class/contents, and stored in the appropriate yellow safety cabinet.
• No solvents, or oil paints are to be disposed of in the sink.
• Any item with oil paint on it, must be disposed of properly in the white bins labeled ‘oil rags only’. This includes, disposable palettes and any rags not being re-used.
• The tool storage cabinet is locked outside of class/studio hours. Be advised and plan accordingly.
• The Saw is for student use in constructing of supports. It is to be used to cut wood only. The operator of the saw is required to wear safety glasses while the saw is operational. Please return the saw to its downward, locked position and unplug when finished. You should only use the saw when someone else is present. In the case of an emergency contact 911, followed by campus police (303) 556-3271
Please Note
*If you intend to be absent from class due to a religious holiday you must inform me within the first week of class — in writing. Any later request may result in a lack of flexibility for rescheduling. If you are requesting accommodations, then you must present documentation from the Access Center. You are reminded that Access Center Documentation is not retroactive and the accommodations only apply to the circumstances after they have been presented to the instructor.
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*I do not accept assignments that contain any work from other courses or any older work. Opinions on such work may be sought in office hours. If your intent is to re-interpret an idea from another class you must disclose this fact before making the work to verify that it is acceptable. Do not guess or assume my position regarding use of previously existing material. Lack of disclosure or other deceit will result in a failing grade for the assignment.
Disclaimer
Please note: This course may be discussing, reading or viewing
content of a diverse nature: gender, race, religion, sex, and politics are a few
possibilities. All of these categories are part of the arsenal we use for visual
communication and design. If at any time you do not agree with a viewpoint, or
the material presented, then it is your responsibility to challenge and present an
alternate viewpoint while that view is being presented. It is through this discourse
that parties can learn from one another and become better visual communicators
and individuals.
Art History scholarship and Art Studio practice, along with art teaching and
learning, are complex endeavors. They involve the critical exploration of ideas,
theories, art-making practices, and art movements, and encompass such things
as the human body, sexuality, race, gender, ethnicity, politics, strong languages,
religions, and cultures. This course may cover one or more of the above
categories and each student will be required to be an active participant in all
course assignments, discussions, and tests. Given this information, it is the student’s
obligation to determine whether the course content and requirements conflict
with the student’s core beliefs. If a student determines that there is a conflict with
his or her core beliefs, one of the following actions must be taken prior to the last
day to drop a course without penalty: 1) drop the class; 2) meet with the
instructor to determine if an accommodation can be made. Faculty will
ascertain if an accommodation can be made; however, faculty are not required
to grant content accommodations.
If critiques, discussions, or lectures are not being conducted in a way that is
beneficial for you, please schedule a meeting, or email me so that we can
discuss and make constructive changes.
*please note: Instructor possesses the ability to modify any, and all, class procedures and materials as needed.
