Course Title: ART 317, Travel Study (FRANCE)
Term: Taught intermittently during January
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Major, Minor, Elective credit. This program offers the student the opportunity to travel to major art and design centers to observe, evaluate, and absorb the culture and art within the environment and to produce art as a result of those experiences. Additional travel costs will be incurred by the student. Offered during Jan and Summer Terms.
This is a studio art travel program designed to expose the student to the current and historical art collections of the museums, galleries, and architecture located in France. Through daily visits to view the art, and from various reading sources students will observe, evaluate, and absorb the culture and art within the environment and produce art as a result of those experiences. Students will expand upon their experiences through daily discussions, journaling, sketching, and the creation of individual art work. This is an elective studio art course for four credits. Our travels will take us from Paris, to the culinary capital of Lyon, to the enchanting south of France. Allons-y (Let’s go)!
Course Learning Objectives
To provide educational lectures, demonstrations, readings, discussions and integrative experiences that:
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Establish an understanding of the media (watercolor and the practice of travel sketching) and its qualities and uses.
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Provide lectures and examples to illustrate elements of design including composition, balance, harmony, contrast, value and contrast which enhance the quality of end product.
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Provide opportunities to explore the work of artists who specialize in this media and learn from their unique styles.
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Develop sketchbooks that evaluate subject matter and complete a minimum of two finished watercolors based on sketchbook studies.
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Demonstrate appropriate documentation and procedures for presentation.
Course Learning Outcomes
Student will be able to:
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Demonstrate an ability to effectively utilize painting and drawing media to express subject matter using a variety of qualities unique to watercolors.
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Utilize concepts of composition effectively as demonstrated in the completion of a series of paintings.
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Maintain a sketchbook of value studies, and complete a minimum of two completed watercolor paintings based on sketched studies.
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Document and exhibit finished work.
Coursework to be graded:
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Journal/ Sketchbook (minimum of 10 sketches a day)
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2 Blog Posts
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Participation and Attendance
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Independent Project
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Artist Statement
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Participation in Final Exhibition
Exercise 1: Practice
After a lecture on Eugene Delacroix’s travel sketchbooks, with the guidance of the professor, stuents will practice various watercolor and sketching techniques.
Exercise 2: Field Practice
Students will practice in the field. The class will meet in Downtown Spartanburg and try out their supplies and methods of sketching on site.
Project 1: Sketchbook
You are required to keep a sketchbook that will include notes and reflections, as well as images, announcements, and post cards from museums and galleries. Art students are to bring such supplies as pencils, Prisma color pencils or pens for the development of sketches in your sketchbook. I expect this book to be full of ideas and sketches for future artwork and a source of inspiration when we return to the college. You will use this journal for lecture note taking and carry it with you on all our excursions. A comfortable backpack or large purse may be needed for the journal and supplies. During our time in France you are required to complete 5 sketches that relate to our itinerary and 5 sketches on your own each day, 10 sketches a day. Chances are you will find that you will be completing more than this on your own!
Remember the following while sketching:
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Photograph what you are sketching
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Vary your use of the page
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Include notes
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Include dates
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Include tickets and other paraphernalia you may have accumulated.
Project #2: Response Piece.
Art Work
You need to complete one independent project, in the form of either one large painting or a series of smaller works. This can be anything that you want. Ideally you were inspired by something you saw or did in France. But it can be removed from the subject, or transformed in any way. You just have to be able to explain how it connects to your experience in France. You are not expected to complete a painting of the Eiffel Tower…although you certainly can. Instead consider what inspired you? Why? How does it relate to your work now? How is it changing your work? This connection can be very broad or very obvious. You only have 5 days in class to do this.
Work must be on heavy acid free paper or wood panel; mixed media is welcome.
Project 3: The Travel Blog
Either during or upon return students will need to make 2 blog posts. The posts can be about anything that strikes you as interesting (food, landscape, museums, travel, people you meet) but each post should include an image from your sketchbook. You will be expected to contribute to our blog “Creative Connie’s Abroad!” with at least 2 posts. These can be done whenever you want. Be sure to title your post with a theme. You are welcome to complete more than two posts. Themes may include, travel logistics, culture, art, favorite sketchbook pages, landscape, funny or unique people, cool stores, or any quirky little thing that you find interesting!
Ex. https://creativeconnies.weebly.com/
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Project #4: Participation Group Exhibition
Upon our return students are required to participate in a group exhibition of the class’s sketchbooks. The France trip exhibition was titled “Bonjour et Merci: Sketching and Watercolor in France” and took place in the atrium of the Spartanburg Public Library.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1: Departure day; we’ll board our overnight flight to Paris. Bon voyage!
Day 2: Bonjour, Paris! After arriving in the airport, we’ll meet our chartered coach, and drive into the heart of Paris, where we’ll drop off our luggage at our lodging. Refresh yourself with a coffee, then we’ll meet up with our local guide for an invigorating walking tour of our “neighborhood.” First, discover the ancient Marais district – a one-time marsh on the north bank of the River Seine, gentrified in the 17th century by the wealthy friends of King Louis XIII. We’ll see an array of wonderful architecture, including the Place de Vosges – Europe’s first planned residential square. In the afternoon, let’s walk across the Île de la Cité to the city’s famed Left Bank – where we’ll find the beautiful Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and the Museum of Eugene Delacroix, charmingly housed in the artist’s former apartment. Overnight, Paris.
Day 3: This morning, let’s visit the Louvre – one-time palace and fortress, now one of the world’s premier art museums. In the afternoon, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and discover the flavors of France for ourselves – with a cheese-making (and tasting!) class at the celebrated Paroles de Fromagers: the Cheese School of Paris. Afterwards, there’s the option to take the metro to the top of Montmartre – famous bohemian artists’ community, with the best “natural” view of the city. Ride the funicular to see the majestic Sacré-Cœur Basilica, browse the eclectic boutiques and vintage shops, and soak in some of the city’s best people-watching. Overnight, Paris.
Day 4: This morning, visit the Musée d’Orsay – home to a wealth of French art, displayed in a fabulous turn-of-the-century former railway station (the Gare d’Orsay). Later, discover the world of French scientist Louis Pasteur, by visiting his last residence – featuring many of his scientific instruments, and the crypt where he and his wife are buried. This afternoon, we’ll also have the opportunity to visit the Eiffel Tower for a quintessential Parisian experience. Enjoy one last evening in the mesmerizing City of Lights! Overnight, Paris.
Day 5: Morning departure from Paris by chartered coach or train. We’ll travel through the lovely rolling countryside of Burgundy, continuing to the beautiful city of Lyon. Lyon is the capital of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region, located between the vineyards of Burgundy to the north, and the Côtes du Rhône to the south – which translates to some of the finest wine-tasting in Europe. Originally founded by the Romans where the Saône and Rhône rivers meet, we’ll find much to savor in Lyon – considered the gourmet capital of France. Overnight, Lyon.
Day 6: Today, let’s get to know Lyon! We’ll begin the morning with a walking tour to orient us to this vibrant, storied city. We’ll gain an inside look at the historical silk-weaving industry that made Lyon famous, and cruise down the Rhone river on one of the city’s iconic flat boats, gaining a fresh urban perspective from the water. We’ll also visit the architecturally splendid Musée de la Confluence – one of the best ethnology museums in the world; and have the option to enjoy a funicular ride to Roman ruins that overlook the city. Overnight, Lyon.
Day 7: Today, we’ll travel by chartered coach into the nearby countryside of Burgundy and the Jura. The Jura is a tiny region close to the Swiss border, fêted for its rare Vin Jaune: yellow wine. Of course, Vin Jaune’s complex, nutty flavors pair perfectly with Comté cheese, another specialty of the region. Don’t forget your camera today – the views will be stunning, as we uncover impossibly lovely villages and pristine Alpine landscapes. We’ll return to Lyon for the overnight. Lyon, France
Day 8: Today, we’ll descend the Rhône Valley, visiting Côtes du Rhône wineries along the way – including those producing the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines. We’ll also visit one of the ancient world’s most spectacular architectural achievements: the Roman aqueduct known as the Pont du Gard. We’ll continue to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, where we’ll spend the next two nights.
Day 9: Discover our new town, and the surrounding villages of Provence today! Saint-Rémy was the home of Vincent Van Gogh in the last years of his life, where he found refuge and inspiration in the peaceful Provençal landscapes surrounding him. In addition to exploring sites connected to Van Gogh, we’ll also visit other special places nearby – including the beautiful hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Enjoy strolling the winding cobbled streets, and an immersive underground art experience: Les Carrières de Lumières. Overnight, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Day 10: We’ll depart Saint-Rémy, and drive to the Roquefort-sur-Soulzon area for one night. Though similar blue cheeses are produced elsewhere, only true Roquefort is produced here in the natural caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, which are just right for aging local sheep’s milk to pungent perfection. We’ll find out for ourselves why this cheese is called “the cheese of kings and popes!” Other highlights of the area will include the ancient walled town of La Couvertoirade, and the dramatic Millau Viaduct– which has a claim to fame as the tallest bridge in the world! This cablestayed bridge spans the Tarn River Gorge, and is a marvel of modern design and engineering.
Day 11: Drive to Montpellier, and take the fast train to the Paris airport. Overnight, Roissy.
Day 12: Shuttle to the airport, and return to the US today. Au revoir, la France!
Back in the classroom:
Students will submit a proposal of what they plan to do for their final project. They will have a week to complete.
Last Day: Final Critique
