ART 241 – Watercolor 1 Syllabus - Fall 2012
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh / Art Department
ART 241: Watercolor 1
Fall 2012, MoWe 8:00-10:10, A/C S218
Instructor: Trina May Smith
E-mail:
Office Hours: 1-2pm Mon/Wed. A/C 521
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course students will engage with technical, practical, and concept based problems involved with the practice of watercolor painting. Color theory, techniques, materials, and application will be explored throughout the term. Projects will include painting from the still life, model, and images. At midterm students will have the option to work in acrylic if desired.
Course Requirements:
In Class Projects: You will be expected to be set up and ready to paint by 8:10. There will be a suitable amount of time for in class projects. Be sure to use your class time diligently. At times, finishing paintings outside of class will be necessary to achieve an excellent product.
Homework Assignments: You will have homework assignments each week that pertain to the work done in class. Be prepared to present and discuss your work in small or large group critiques on days that assignments are due. Homework is due the Monday after it is assigned unless otherwise specified. Expect to work a minimum of 5 hours per week outside of class on homework assignments and finalizing in class work.
Participation: Come to class prepared. Bring all materials and supplies you will need for that day. Fully engage in critiques and discussions.
Surface Preparation: Be sure to have your paper (or desired surface) stretched and ready to go for class. Plan ahead!
GRADING:
Work will be graded throughout the term. Both in class and homework assignments are graded. In class assignments are due on the day they are critiqued. Unfinished work will be graded down a whole grade (A to a B, B to a C, etc) Late work will also not be eligible for reworking for a higher grade. Homework assignments are due on Monday of every week.
Preliminary Work: Required preliminary work will be designated for each assignment. Document and present all preliminary work at the beginning of projects to be graded in class on an individual basis. This will include thumbnail sketches, compositional examinations, research of historical and contemporary artists, etc. Preliminary work will count as 25% of your final grade for each in class project.
In Class Grades:
1) Preliminary Work: 25%
2) Composition: resolve of the picture plane: 25%
3) Technique: resolve of execution, color, and material application: 25%
4) Concept/ Interest: Creative problem solving both technical and interpretive; originality, and depth of exploration: 25%
Homework Grades:
1) Composition and technical resolve. Overall “balance” of the picture plane, technical resolve of color, execution (edge quality, drawing elements, etc.), and material application: 50%
2) Concept/ Interest: Creative problem solving both technical and interpretive: originality and depth of exploration of the assignment: 50%
Grading Scale:
A = 100% -93%
A- = 92% - 90%
B+ = 89% - 87%
B = 86%- 83%
B- = 82% - 80%
C+ = 79% - 77%
C = 76% - 73%
C- = 72% - 70%
D = 69% - 60%
F = < 60%
A = Going above and beyond to produce a superior product. Consistently excellent work. The depth of research, amount of growth, and personal involvement exceed expectations of a student at this level. All technical and conceptual elements are fully resolved, and the student is committed and engaged in critiques and discussions during class.
B = Consistently above average work. Student exhibits technical and creative growth through the course of the term and engages beyond the minimum in critiques and discussions as well as the completion of class assignments.
C = Meets the minimum requirements for each assignment. Shows technical and creative capabilities, turns work in on time, and participates in class critiques and discussions.
D = Below average performance. Student consistently does not meet the minimum requirements but is still showing an effort and turning in work and participating in class critiques and discussions
F = Either student misses too many classes (more then 4) or does not complete the required work.
Re-doing Projects:
If you are unsatisfied with a grade earned for any project, you may rework it as many times as you desire. Only the highest grade earned on any single assignment will be recorded. This policy does not apply to any project that is turned in late.
Projects are expected to be DONE for critiques, and will be considered late if they are not.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance is expected at all times. Two (2) absences are allowed without penalty. Two Subsequent absences will result in a drop of a half of a letter grade each. Five (5) absences will result in an “F” for the semester. There are no “excused” absences. Homework that is late will be marked down a letter grade. Excessive lack of preparation, tardiness and leaving early will also affect the final grade.
- Turn off cell phones and personal devices before entering the classroom. If I catch you on your device you will be marked absent.
Special needs:
I wish to assure that all students are fully included in this course. Please let me know within the first two weeks of class if you need any special accommodations in carrying out assignments, in participating in classroom instruction, or other aspects of the course. Please make an appointment to discuss these issues with me – it is difficult to maintain confidentiality when talking before and after class. Please note that due to the unique, participatory nature of a studio lab course, accommodation cannot include extensions of the stated attendance/absence policy. I will try to maintain confidentiality of the information you share with me.
MATERIALS and Supplies: Art Haus or Hobby Lobby are both excellent sources for supplies in town.
Required:
Paint:
- Tubes of paint:
o Cadmium Red (medium)
o Alizarin Crimson
o Burnt Sienna
o Paynes Gray
o Ultramarine Blue
o Phthalo Blue
o Cadmium Yellow
o Yellow Ocre
o White (Gouache)
- Brushes
o #6, #12 Round (Sable)
o 1” or larger flat brush
o Inexpensive round brush that can be used for masking fluid (be sure that it comes to a tip for detailing)
- Paper
o To start: 5 sheets of Arches 140 lb. (or 300lb) Cold pressed Watercolor paper (22x30 inches)
o Note that you will need to get additional paper as the term progresses.
- Additional Supplies:
o 2B Pencil
o Erasers. Both Plastic and Kneaded
o Palette: Something with a white base is best. Minimum 12x16”
o Water container
o Tackle box or something to hold supplies
o Sponge
o Towel
o Portfolio (paper is fine. It is fine if you want to make one out of cardboard or other stiff material.) Minimum 26 x 34 inches
o Drawing Board. Minimum of 20 x 26”
o Roll of masking tape.
o Lock
Course Outline: Subject to Change
Wed. 9/5 / Go over Syllabus, IntroductionsHomework: Gather supplies, get a locker.
Mon. 9/10 / Demos, practice, begin 4 small Monochromatic paintings from still life 1. 1/8th sheet of paper (each)
Wed. 9/12 / Finish 4 Monochromatic paintings
Homework: Do a more detailed Monochromatic painting at home. ¼ sheet of paper.
Mon. 9/17 / Demos, practice, begin Analogous color painting of still life 2. 1/2 sheet of paper.
Wed. 9/19 / Continue working on Analogous color painting.
Homework: Finish Analogous color painting
Mon. 9/24 / Talk about paintings to date, demo masking, Begin Still life #3. Restricted color palette, controlling edge. ½ sheet of paper
Wed. 9/26 / Continue on still life #3
Homework: Do a painting of an interior space using one of the suggested restricted palettes. Show spatial relationships with attention to edge clarity and detailing. ¼ (or ½) sheet of paper
Mon. 10/1 / Continue on still life #3
Wed. 10/3 / Finish Still life #3
Homework: In the library or online, find 3 watercolorists that you admire. Print out (or bring in books) color copies of a sample of each of their works. Bring PRINTOUTS to class.
Mon. 10/8 / Look at artist images. Talk about and demo of additional techniques. Practice and experimentation
Wed. 10/10 / Color Theory exercises
Homework: Take or find an image that you are interested in doing a watercolor of. Print out both Black and White AND color copies of this image! Each image should be about 8x10. It is important to do full page print outs of your image.
Mon. 10/15 / Transfer Demo, Begin first transfer painting. ¼ sheet of paper
Wed. 10/17 / Work on first transfer painting.
Homework: Finish first transfer painting
Mon. 10/22 / Crit transfer painting, begin interpretation of first transfer
Wed. 10/24 / Continue with interpretation painting.
Homework: Do a second transfer painting. Decide what effect you want the painting to have and pursue that effect.
Mon. 10/29 / Additional Material demo (Materials opened up to all water based mediums from here forward in the term), Complete in class interpretation painting. (If done with first one, begin another one.)
Wed. 10/31 / Painting the Figure
Homework: Two-Week homework assignment of Choice. Consider subject, composition, size, medium etc when thinking of your desired approach to your piece. Bring in your work for an in process individual crit with Trina on Monday.
Mon. 11/5 / Continuation of Figure Painting
Wed. 11/7 / Figure Painting
Homework: Finish open assignment.
Mon. 11/12 / Critique of Figure Paintings and Open homework project.
Wed. 11/14 / Presentation of historical and contemporary watercolorists. Launch of final projects.
Homework: Figure out and do preliminary work for open assignment: Series of 3
Mon. 11/19 / Bring in images/sketches, preliminary work for series project. Be prepared to defend idea as well as receive feedback from your peers and Trina
Wed. 11/21 / No class: Thanksgiving Break
Homework: Begin series project. Have at least one painting started and somewhat progressed. Bring in on Monday for individual discussion with Trina.
Mon. 11/26 / Work on series of 3 paintings.
Wed. 11/28 / Work on series of 3 paintings.
Homework: Progress your paintings
Mon. 12/3 / Work on series of 3 paintings.
Wed. 12/5 / Work on series of 3 paintings.
Homework: Finish series of 3 paintings.
Mon. 12/10 / Final Crit
Wed. 12/12 / Final Crit
Homework: Have an awesome break!!!!!