FA 320, Beginning Painting

Medina

Section 2 MWF 1:10 - 2:50 pm

Room FNA 7016

Office #5025, hr. MW 3pm to 4pm

Office phone #: 335-8686

e-mail: [email protected]

Course Objective:  This is a beginning skills class. In this class we will look at the basic techniques used for creating paintings. We will continue to use basic elements of design; Line, Shape, Figure/Ground, Pattern, Texture, Value, Color, Space, Scale, and Proportion as we learn to work with paint as an artistic media. As this class proceeds, we will look more to the ideas of personal creativity and relations to historical forms of art, i.e. Symbolism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, etc.

Materials: Even if you feel you have had some exposure to painting, for the class the following materials are required

    Paints- you are expected to be able to mix any colors you need from the following combinations

        White - Zinc or Titanium

        Mars Black

        Acra Violet or Alizirin Crimson

        Cadmium Red Light

        Cadmium Yellow Light

        Ultramarine Blue

    Medium - needed for doing Xerox lifts and Glazing techniques

        Liquitex Acrylic Gloss Medium and Varnish 16 oz.

    Brushes - get brushes with nylon bristles, they will stand up to the acrylic paint better

        Numbers   6, 8, 10, and 12 give a great range to choose from

    Palette Knife - can substitute with plastic eating utensils, yes even forks and spoons

        No. 2 Knife with 4" blade

    Palette - think thrifty, use an old plate, plastic dish, old windshield ... etc.

    Sketchbook and Drawing Pad - hard bound sketch book and an 18x24 Drawing Pad

            THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

            -My personal approach to teaching is that I must learn along with my class.  It is important that you ask questions of me as well as yourselves.  Learning is a challenge, or rather should be a challenge for both student and instructor.  Let’s challenge each other and learn.

            -We are all adults.  I will not tolerate any type of misconduct concerning other students.  Any behavior which makes other students uncomfortable will be addressed.  If a fellow student reports any type of harrassment to me, you will be asked to leave the class.

            -Class begins at the time on your schedule, not when you remember to come.  Read the attendance policy closely, remember whose responsibility your grade is.

            -I will not accept arguing in class.  If you have a problem with me or the class, talk to me during my office hours.

            -I understand the need and want to work creatively, and we will, however this is a skills class and we will begin with the basics.

            -The beginning of the semester is not the time to buy your plane tickets to go home.  We are scheduled to meet during finals week for presentations and crits. Note, anyone who misses a group critique will be dropped a full letter grade when grades are filed.

            -Don’t let the sketchbook assignments fool you, 10 projects can equal an entire letter grade.

Number and value projects will be as follows:

            Sketchbook - 10 assignments

            Final projects - 5 assignments

            *NOTE: there will be many more works done than 15

Grading and attendance policies:

Attendance:  As all of our work depends on direct observation and instruction from me, you will need to be in class to learn and obtain a grade. If you choose not to be here, you are choosing not to observe and not to learn, in short, you choose your grade. This outline is how attendance will effect your grade.

            0-1 absence averages your total grade with an A, basically no effect

            2 absences averages your grade with a B, drops total half a grade

            3 absences averages your grade with a C, drops total a full grade

            4 absences averages your grade with a D,  drops total 1 and 1/2  a grade

            5 absences, at 5 absences departmental and school policies allow for a failing grade

This demonstrates how significant attendance is. Class begins at 1:10 pm and attendance will be taken at that time, I will make notes concerning those who feel this is not reasonable. Anyone arriving after 1:15 pm will be considered absent. Weather is not a factor, be responsible and your grade will reflect it.

Grading:  Your grade in this class will not be determined by how others do. You as an individual are the basis for your grade.  Factors such as participation in group crits and discussions, attitude, improvement, development, and attendance help me asses how each person is graded. Following through and completing outside assignments is necessary to fulfilling and earning a grade.  Your grade is your responsibility, you earn your grade, I do not GIVE grades. I use the following guideline  in assessing grades.

A=Excellent

One who answers all of the course requirements and performs at a level which is visibly outstanding.  A past student informed me that attaining an “A” was like attempting to reach light speed, a goal which is attainable only through extreme measures.

B=Above Average

One who answers all of the course requirements and performs at a level measurably above average.  The idea here is to put in the extra time to challenge yourself to not be “Average.”

C=Average

Doing only what is asked of you is being average.  This is considered having standard competence and an average grasp of the course requirements.

D=Poor

One who looks at the course requirements as unimportant to earning a grade.  Also, one who refuses to perform at an average level of competence.

F=Failure

One who does not answer course requirements or shows no interest in learning the information brought to the class.

Notice, grades are based on what one does to complete, as well as push beyond, when learning the material presented in this class.