SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS for

VA 55: PAINTING I

I. Course Title: Painting I

II. Catalog Description: 2005 – 2006

Introduction to painting techniques in oil and other media. Explores perception of light, shadow and color and the rendering of these elements. (4 studio hrs. each week.) Prerequisite: VA33 or permission of instructor.

III. Goals: The goal of the course is to:

· Introduce the basic materials and techniques used in oil and/or acrylic painting.

· Teach the student how to translating observed form, color and space using the medium.

· Teach the principles of design to create unified, well-balanced, rhythmic compositions.

· Introduce the student to a variety of stylistic approaches in the translation of a subject.

· Help the student develop a process of conceiving of ideas that are unique and inventive.

· Teach the student to make aesthetic choices concerning form and subject matter to communicate ideas.

· Familiarize the student with a basic vocabulary of visual art terms used in painting.

· Teach the student to work through multiple stages of development in the process of completing a painting.

· Teach students to analyze paintings, both historical and contemporary, for their artistic merit.

· Instill in the students the intrinsic motivation to grow artistically and as an individual.

IV. Outcome Behaviors:

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

- Make the appropriate choices of materials and tools used in the craft of oil painting to reach a desired visual or expressive result.

- Demonstrate the use of a variety of oil painting techniques including; wet into wet, painting in layers, transparent washes, impasto, scumbling, and glazing.

- Apply these techniques to translating observed form, space and texture in a sensitive and engaging manner.

- Mix color to match observed local color and create harmonies in the painting’s overall design.

- Use the principles of color to describe form, light and space.

- Use the principles of design to create a unified, well-balanced, rhythmic composition.

- Differentiate between the picture plane treated as a surface and as an imaginary window.

- Reinterpret a subject by reducing it to its formal components, describing it through a subjective, expressive approach.

- Start to conceive of ideas that are unique and inventive which reflect his or her experience and point of view.

- Make aesthetic choices concerning form and subject matter to communicate these ideas.

- Apply a vocabulary of art terms when discussing his or her work or the work of others.

- Respectfully and constructively critique fellow students’ work, identifying strengths as well as failings, in order to help each student improve.

- Work through all stages of the artistic process starting with the conception of multiple ideas, selecting one through critical analysis, revising that idea, refining it during its development, and finally completing the work through its thoughtful presentation.

- Be critical of one’s own work, assigning challenges to oneself in effort to grow artistically and as an individual.

- Analyze paintings, both historical and contemporary, for their artistic merit.

V. Programs that Require this Course:

None

VI. Major Topics Required with Approximate Times for Each Major Topic*:

(30 sessions per semester)

VOCABULARY TERMS (1-2 SESSIONS, THROUGHOUT SEMESTER)

Definition of common vocabulary terms, description of physical components in painting, explanation of basic materials.

COLOR (3 SESSIONS)

• Analysis of palette, color contrasts and color wheel.

· Use of a limited palette to define value and color temperature

• Use of full palette, mixing color to match observed color.

TECHNIQUES (3-4 SESSIONS)

Explore a variety of techniques (not necessarily all)

direct painting technique

transparent washes

wet into wet

wet over dry

glazing

work on toned ground

COMPOSITION (2 SESSION, THROUGHOUT SEMESTER)

Discussion of composition, picture plane, positive and negative shapes, symmetrical and asymmetrical balance, unity, contrasts, and focal point, eye movement and rhythm.

PAINTING METHODS

Complete a painting in one session – ala prima (1 session)

Use of multi-step painting process: compositional studies, working drawings, preliminary drawing on canvas, blocking in lights and darks, underpainting, working thin to thick, rich over lean. (3 sessions)

Work from perception – still-life, interior, landscape or self portrait. (6-9 sessions)

Work from a concept – theme or idea. (3 sessions)

Use traditional, illusory, “Renaissance” space. (3 sessions)

Use decorative or imagined space. (3 sessions)

Exploring painting as surface (3 sessions)

VII. Special Instructions:

A. Prerequisites to this course: VA33

B. Courses that require this course as a perquisite: VA56, VA57

C. External Jurisdiction: none

VIII. Supporting Information:

library books and art periodicals

museum and gallery visits

IX. Optional Topics:

X. Evaluation of Student Performance*:

Painting projects exercises

Drawings

Museum response paper

Quizzes

Effort and participation

* Any combination of the above. Left to the discretion of the instructor.