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Introduction to Watercolor (Non-Majors) Bill Donovan CATALOGUE COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is an introduction to the principles and techniques of watercolor painting. Using a variety of techniques, students will develop their ability to create representational watercolor paintings through weekly exercises. COURSE OBJECTIVES The main objective of this course is to make you familiar with the process and techniques used in watercolor painting. Class time will be spent largely in a studio environment, with students working on their paintings. You will develop an understanding of the importance of composition and presentation as well as an understanding of materials. The subject matter will allow you to explore natural and organic forms, landscape, and the human figure. Fundamental painting ideas such as form, color, and space will be covered. COURSE RATIONALE This course provides an introduction to watercolor. Students will learn how to articulate themselves in a group setting regarding their paintings during group critiques. TEXTS Suggested: Watercolor School by Hazel Harrison CLASSROOM POLICIES AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION Your performance will be assessed on the following: Understanding of the principles, concepts, methods, and materials presented. Ambition. Did your work merely meet minimum requirements or did it surpass them? Completing the assignment is the minimum- be ambitious. A students exceed expectations. They don't just meet the requirements. Attendance. Don't miss class. If you miss a class you must fulfill the requirements of that class. The excuse "but I was absent" does not excuse you from the assignment. After 1 absence your final grade will be lowered by 1/2 a letter grade for each succeeding absence. 2 lateness's will count as 1 absence. Participation. Participation during class discussion and critiques is essential. Preparation, Quality, and Craft. You must always have your supplies and be prepared to work in class. Projects are expected to be made and presented in a professional manner. 25% Participation during class discussions and critiques 25% Attendance, materials, attitude 50% Quality of class work, homework, and portfolio Weekly Syllabus Week 1 Introduction to course objectives, guidelines, and material supply list Week 2 Introduction to basic watercolor techniques. There will be a demonstration and studio exercises regarding how different brushes and paper function, how to mix colors, how to achieve different paint consistencies, masking fluid, and pre-wetting paper and dry paper. Week 3 Introduction to value/gray scale. We will discuss how light describes form. A slide presentation will be followed by a studio work period. The class will paint a limited value study of a small object. Week 4 Introduction to color theory. Students will be shown the color wheel. General topics regarding color theory will be covered, including the principles of hot and cold colors, complimentary colors, blending, and the ideas behind Pointillism. Week 5 Introduction to pictorial space. Topics will include: linear perspective, aerial perspective, observed perspective, depth of field. Topics will be introduced through a presentation from either books or slides followed by a studio work period. Week 6 Still Life painting, slide presentation introducing still life painting followed by a studio work period Week 7 Still Life painting, continue studio work period from Week 6. Use your painting from last class to recreate the still life, and use the recreated still life to finish your painting. Week 8 Portrait painting, Topic introduced by slide presentation followed by a blurred slide experiment. We will be painting in a darkened room, if you have trouble seeing in dimly lit environments please bring a small light source. Week 9 Portrait, studio work period using a source photograph, discussion of methods for copying from a source image including using a grid, observation, and judging proportions through comparisons Week 10 Portrait, studio work period. Continue portrait painting from Week 9 during class. Week 11 Landscape, studio work period, upside down image experiment Week 12 Landscape/Cityscape, work from observation to create a landscape with convincing pictorial space. We will use the view of Manhattan available to us from the windows in this building. Week 13-14-15 Final project introduced. Week 16 Portfolio reviews and critiques. Final Project Due. Materials List Paper 18"x 24" watercolor pad, the least expensive pad is the store brand pad at Pearl paint Small drawing pad - for sketches and research. At least 3x5", no larger than 8x11" Paint A set of watercolor paint in tubes, the least expensive good paint is "Koi" Masking Fluid - for watercolor paint Plastic or metal palette to mix paint. Palettes with many small sections are best, because they allow you to make many small variations of color. Brushes Bamboo Ink Brushes, 3 small, 2 medium, 1 large - most varieties are inexpensive Watercolor brushes - round size 1, round size 4 Support Masking tape or artist tape Drawing clips Large ruler, I prefer metal rulers Optional Portfolio case, must be big enough to hold your drawings without creasing or folding Art Bin, or some kind of box to hold your art supplies |