Description:

This course is an introduction to transparent water media with emphasis on learning fundamental painting skills, the visual elements, composition, visual perception and an awareness of personal expression. 6 hrs./wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): NONE

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Recognize and demonstrate practice safe studio practices
2. Prepare water media surfaces
3. Demonstrate a variety of approaches to water based media
4. Practice value perception from observation
5. Execute projects using appropriate color properties and harmonies
6. Mix colors from observation
7. Construct compositions illustrating an awareness of shape relationships
8. Manipulate paint to create real, simulated, and invented texture
9. Employ the elements of composition and design in paintings
10. Develop watercolors employing various pictorial space concepts
11. Make aesthetic decisions autonomously
12. Critique artwork objectively, individually and in groups

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Studio Procedures
   A. Explain and demonstrate proper use of equipment, materials, and
supplies
   B. Practice safe studio procedures
   C. Identify and develop productive work habits, including completing
projects, maintaining the studio environment, and responding to
supervision

II. Surface Preparation
   A. Prepare paper for use as a watercolor surface
   B. Explore other non-traditional water media surfaces

III. Basic Approaches to Watercolor Painting
   A. Generate a painting using wet brush method
   B. Create a composition using the wet into wet technique
   C. Produce a painting using the dry brush approach
   D. Develop a water media work using additives (i.e., salt)
   E. Generate a composition combining techniques

IV. Perception of Value Based on Observation
   A. Produce a ten step achromatic value scale using water media
   B. Create a painting from observation utilizing the achromatic scale

V. Color Properties and Harmonies
   A. Execute a project using all three color properties of hue, value,
and intensity
   B. Construct a project or projects utilizing color harmonies
      1. Use complementary colors
      2. Use split complementary colors
      3. Use triadic colors
      4. Use analogous colors

VI. Color Mixing
   A. Create a project demonstrating proper color mixing
   B. Compose a painting from observation illustrating effective color
perception and color relationships

VII. Shape Relationships
   A. Devise compositions utilizing effective negative and positive shape
relationships
   B. Illustrate objective and non-objective forms
   C. Employ geometric and biomorphic forms

VIII. The Importance of Texture
   A. Apply collage for real texture
   B. Manipulate water media to simulate texture
   C. Manipulate water media through experimentation for invented texture

IX. The Elements of Composition and Design
   A. Create paintings using harmony and variety
   B. Construct compositions employing balance, economy, dominance,
volume, movement, and proportion
   C. Produce compositions to accomplish form unity

X. Space Concepts
   A. Create a composition defining deep space
   B. Produce a work showing shallow space
   C. Generate a painting depicting flat space
   D. Compose a painting showing ambiguous space

XI. Autonomous Decision-Making
   A. Acquire confidence through practice and critique of one’s own
artwork
   B. Develop and demonstrate assurance through the discussion and
criticism of other student’s artwork
   C. Build and demonstrate comprehension of the decision-making process
through study of professional artists’ means of image development

XII. Critiquing Artwork Objectively
   A. Define and discuss the importance of objective art criticism
   B. Explain the significance of individual critiques
   C. Judiciously accept criticism from fellow art students
   D. Clarify the meaning and purpose of group critiques
   E. Perform individual and group critiques

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Final portfolio: production of a group of water based media paintings
satisfying the requirements of a series of assignments to develop specific
skills and competencies and to stimulate the student’s creative
capacities for personal expression and self-understanding

Out-of-class assignments: production of a series of out-of-class projects
to supplement the in-class assignments which demonstrates the student’s
integration of the course content

Research project: a written research project to supplement the course
objectives

Class participation and attendance: active participation and attendance is
a mandatory requirement for this class Grades: The final portfolio is, by
far, the major means of evaluation in the course, representing 60-80% of
the grade. The other listed student activities account for the remaining
20-40% of the grade.        

Caveats:

1. JCCC is not liable for damaged or stolen work or personal property in classroom or hallway exhibition areas.
2. Students working in the studio are expected to acquaint themselves with the efficient and safe use of equipment and materials.
3. Students should realize nude models may be used in this course and decide if they are comfortable with this aspect of the class.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.