SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

COLLEGE COURSE SYLLABUS for

 

            VA 59:  WATERCOLOR

 

I.               Course Title:  Watercolor

 

II.             Catalog Description:  2005 Ð 2006

Instruction in various techniques of watercolor painting, with references to European and American Traditions.  Prerequisite: none, VA33 recommended

 

 

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

 

á      Introduce students to the basic techniques and processes of the watercolor medium.

á      Teach students to apply these techniques to describing form, space and light.

á      Teach students the basic formal principles of compositions and color theory integral to the medium.

á      Have students use a variety of approaches in making a painting (such as working perceptually from life or inventing through abstraction). 

á      Teach students to work through the creative process to develop ideas and  arrive at their own solutions to visual problems.

 

 

IV.           Outcome Behaviors:

 

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

 

1)    Demonstrate a variety of techniques, including flat washes, variegated washes, wet into wet blends, dry brush and other textural effects, with the watercolor medium.

2)    Use these techniques to describe form, light and space.

3)    Create unified, rhythmic compositions that are both abstract and representational.

4)    Work in a process that is both quick and spontaneous as well as a controlled and planned out, using many steps.

5)    Identify the differences in the most common watercolor materials and make the appropriate choices to achieve a desired effect.

6)    Be critical of ones own work in order to improve upon it and offer constructive criticism.

7)    Use a basic vocabulary of art terms when discussing watercolor.

8)    Explore new ideas and take risks as a means of discovering ones own creative potential.

 

VI. Programs that Require this Course: none

 

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

(15 sessions per semester)

 

color chart, tonal scale (1 session)

flat wash -- composition, rhythm and design (1 session)  

Monochrome painting (1 session)

Graded and variegated washes (1 session) 

Warm/Cool paintings (1 session)

Wet into wet. (1 session)

Unifying brush stroke (1session)

Texture Ð spattering, dry brush, scoring, scratching, etching sponging, adding salt, sand, plastic wrap (2 sessions)

Working in Stages: Compositional studies, color studies, full scale drawing, transferring drawing onto large size watercolor paper, executing the painting  (2 sessions)

Abstract Painting (1 session)

Color systems Ð color on gray field, color on color field, gray on colored field (1 session)

 

VII.         Special Instructions:

 

A. Prerequisites to this course: none, VA55 recommended

 

B. Courses that require this course as a perquisite: none

 

  1. 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

Painting exercises

Drawings

Museum/Gallery response paper

Quizzes

Effort and participation

 

 

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