Art 101: Introduction To Visual Art
Section A: MWF, 2:30-4:20. Spring 2011.
Classroom: BLC YC 202
Course Objectives: Visual Art is a powerful
form of communication with a unique vocabulary: a written and visual language
all its own. In this course,
students will learn to be conversant in this language in theory, discourse and
practice. This is primarily a studio class: students will use the basic
language of visual organization—what are called the Elements and Principles of Art—to solve visual problems and create
artworks through a variety of media and methods. Although art making is our
main focus, students will also learn to use the vocabulary of visual
organization to describe and evaluate forms of visual expression, and become
familiar with and conversant in the basic history and philosophy of visual art
and culture.
Class Format: Class
sessions will generally include an initial discussion of content and
vocabulary--supported by visual examples--followed by practical application of
concepts in the form of an art making assignment or exercise. Some activities
will be completed in a single class period; others will be more involved
assignments that will require multiple studio sessions and/or homework time.
Additionally, content covered during a class period may be reviewed the
following class period in the form of a short quiz (10 or so short questions)
or review of images collected by students. Content will be divided into Three
Units. Each unit will include one or more Unit Projects: fully finished two-dimensional
compositions reflective of an understanding of the skills and concepts covered
in the unit.
Grading, Participation and Attendance: In this course, we will cover a large
amount of content over a short period of time. Many activities will require
students to be present in class in order to complete them. For these reasons,
attendance of all class sessions is vital to success in this course. Missing more than three sessions of this
course may result in a reduction of your overall course grade. Missing more
than 5 session of this course may result in failure of this course. Students who must miss a class period
are responsible for making their own arrangements to receive content and
assignments. E-mail the instructor prior to
missed class periods whenever possible to ensure prompt make-up of missed work.
This is a hands-on visual art class: some content cannot and will not be
delivered via e-mail. Students may need to make an appointment to meet with me
to receive content. Medical or other emergencies must be properly documented in
writing. Work will be marked late, and participation points lost, if written proof
of emergencies is not provided. This includes all personal or family
emergencies of any kind, as well as any automobile problems and any funerals or
hospital visits. These problems will not be excused without written proof:
don’t ask if or assume that they will. No court appearances, vacations, or work
conflicts will be excused: don’t ask if or assume that they will.
The
course units are as follows:
Unit One: Unity and Variety: 30 points
Unit Two: Organization and Emphasis: 30 points
Unit Three: Value and Color: 40 points.
Course Total: 100 points.
GRADE DISTRIBUTION:
100-93: A, 92-90: A-, 89-87: B+. 86-83: B, 82-80:
B-, 79-77: C+. 76-74: C, 73-70: C-, 69-67: D+, 66-64: D, 63-60: D-, 59-000: F
Text: There is no text for this
course. Design Basics by David Lauer
and Stephan Pentak (Edition 6, 2005, Wadsworth) is recommended.
Supply List:
1: spiral bound
notebook with at least 50 pages. *
3: B or #2 pencils.
1: white plastic
eraser.
1: metal pencil
sharpener.
1: black marker, double
ended, with fine and chisel tip.
1: 18x24 drawing pad,
preferably tape-bound or, if spiral-bound, with perforated, pullout
sheets. Suitable for dry and wet
media if possible.
1: An 18” metal,
cork-backed ruler.
2: large glue sticks
(clear, not colored), paste rather than liquid type.
1: adult-sized
scissors.
1: roll artists or
drafting tape (low-tack, removable).
1: medium tube of each
of the following acrylic paints: Titanium
white, mars black, cadmium yellow light. Cyan or Ultramarine blue and Napthal or
Cadmium Red Medium.
4: small disposable
food containers with lids. *
1: medium sized flat
acrylic bristle brush
1: medium sized round
acrylic bristle brush
1: small sized round
acrylic bristle brush
2: water containers:
medium margarine containers work well. *
1: color wheel
1: Masonite-backed
white palette or disposable palette-pad.
10-12 colored pencil or
10 oil pastels.
Several
Magazines: (for collages and visual examples). VERY IMPORTANT.*
Recommended: Apron or
old shirt. A small box with handle
for supplies (a tackle box works well).
*
A kit including the
supplies above (excluding those with an *) can be ordered from :
Utrecht Art Supplies in Minneapolis: 612-339-3400/store34@utrecht.com
The kit will be
delivered to this classroom in time for our first studio assignment.
Tentative Schedule:
M 1-10: Introduction to
Course W 1-12: Introduction to Elements and Principles of Art. Assignment: Visual Examples of Elements and
Principles. Introduction to Unit One, Project One: Unity and Repetition. Work
time for Project 1:1. F 1-14: Review of
Elements of Art. Work time for Unit One, Assignment One. M 1-17: Review of Principles of Art. Work Time
for Project 1:1 F 1-21: Work time for Project One in-progress small group
critique
M 1/24: Critique of Unit One Project One. Introduction
to Unit One, Project 2: Line Quality and Variety. Work time to collect images of Unity
Strategies. W 1/26-F 1/28: Work Time for Project 1:2.
M 1-31-W/2/2: Work time
for Project 1:2. F 2/4: Work time
Project 1:2. In progress Critique.
M 2/7: Critique of Unit One, Project Two. Introduction
to Unit Two, Project One:
Symmetry and Pattern.
W 2/9: Work time for Project
2:1. F 2/11 Work time for Project 2:1
M 2/14-W 2/16: Work time
for Project 2:1. F 2/18 Work time for Project 2:2, in-progress critique.
M 2/21 Presidents Day: NO CLASS. W 2/23: Critique of Project
2:1, Introduction to Project 2:2: Asymmetry
Collage Group Project Work time for Project 2:2. F 2/25 Work time for
Project 2:2.
M 2/25: Critique and Presentations of Project 2:2. Introduction
to Project 3:1: Music and Color. Work time for Project 3:1
W 3/2: Work time for
Project 3:1
F March 4-F March 11: Spring Break.
M 3/14-W 3/16: Work time
for Project 3:1. F 3/18: Work time for Project 3/1 in-progress critique.
M 3/21: Work
time for project 3:1
W 3/23: Advising
Day: No Class.
Friday 3/24: Work Time for Project 3:1 In-Progress critique.
M 3/28: Critique for Project 3:1. Introduction to Project 3:2: Value and Color
Translations. Work time for Project 3:2 part 1. W 3/30-F 4/01: work time
for Project 3:2, part 1.
M 4/04: in-progress
critique Project 3:2 part 1. work time for Project 3:2 part 2. W 4/06-F 4/08:
work time for Project 3:2, part 2.
M 4/11-F 4/15 Work time
for Project 3:2, part 2
M 4/18: In-progress
critique for Project 3:2 part 2. Work time for Project 3:2 part 3. W 4/2: Work
time for Project 3:2, part 3.
F 4/22 and Monday 4/25: NO CLASS EASTER BREAK.
W 4/27-F 4/29 Work time
for Project 3:2 , part 3
M 5/2-F 5/6: Work time
for Project 3:2 Part 3
FINAL CRITIQUE OF
UNIT THREE, PROJECT 3: Will occur at our scheduled final (date and time to be
announced at a later date). Mandatory to pass course.