Course Title: ART 270 Painting II 
Term: Spring

Major, Elective credit. Prerequisite: ART 170. This class explores various painting and drawing techniques. Focus will be on introductions to methodologies of abstraction, figure ground relationships, composition and psychological and narrative uses of the figure in space. This class will explore various painting techniques to initiate and resolve a painting. Skill development in palette organization, color mixing, paint application and surface preparation will also be addressed. Class will be structured in a fairly academic and pedagogical manner.

 

COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

1. Strengthen skills in painting techniques, color theory, and design elements and principles.

2. Develop a working knowledge on the techniques of figure painting. 

3. Technical skill in the construction and preparation of a large-scale canvas and at least one other painting surface.

4. Gain a basic understanding of contemporary concerns and topics in painting.

5. Develop an understanding of the process of concept development and personal expression within one’s own artwork. 

6. Evaluate art critically, both orally and written utilizing a visual vocabulary.

7. Understand safety methods that are used in painting.  

8. Develop a basic understanding of documentation of artwork and its purpose for fine artists. 

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Understand and have experience with various methodologies of abstraction and how it applies to their own work. 

2. Understand the strategies of mixing paint that will accurately reflect the warms and cools of flesh tones.

3. Be able to articulate the concepts they are addressing in their own work.

4. Be able to articulate what tradition of painting they are working in.

5. Be able to compose a well-balanced and thoughtfully executed piece, by demonstrating an understanding of 2D composition and pictorial space through various drawing and painting materials

7.Students will work responsibly in the classroom using appropriate safety methods.

8.Students will produce a set of digital images of paintings created during the term.

 

Digital Portfolio: 

All art and design students are required to establish a Digital Portfolio in which all artwork created during your time at Converse is documented on Google Drive and placed on your personal website. Documentation techniques will be covered in the class and students expected to document all paintings created in the course. Some digital images will be emailed to the instructor at the end of the term. 

 

Exercise #1: 36"x36" Skin Tone/ Color Assignment

This assignment is designed to help students master skin tones. It is due at midterm, so it is n ongoing homework assignment. It is introduced at the beginning of the semester along with a lecture on skin tones and an extensive demonstration of mixing skin tones and altering their palettes to better suit figure painting. 

 

Step 1. Print out a 9inx9in close up picture of your face or someone you know. The picture needs to be in color and needs to have a strong light source from one side...you will have to take this picture yourself...No celebrities! Decide if you will use natural light or synthetic light. This will affect the overall color scheme you are working with, warm or cool, high key, low key.

 

Step 2. Using a ruler divide the picture into 18x 18, ½in squares on both sides (total 324 squares)

 

Step 3. Divide a 36inx36in canvas into 18x18, 2inx2in squares (total 324 squares)

 

Step 4. Paint each square. Treat each square as its own individual painting. Use palette knife or brush but be consistent. Match color to be EXACT, do not settle for less than perfect. We should not see pencil marks or canvas showing through...you may want to first prime your canvas with a brown or orange and when you draw your squares out in pencil be careful not to make them too dark.