Painting 49A, 49B, 49C, 49D
Fall 2002
Fridays 7:45 am-2:05 pm, Rm. ART 38
INSTRUCTOR: Heidi Brueckner
OFFICE HOURS: T, Th 2:05-3:15 PM, F 7:00-7:40 AM. Office is AL2. If you plan to come see me on a Tuesday, it is best to make an appointment ahead of time. Sometimes I will need to have my Tuesday office hours on Thursdays for an extended hour.
PHONE/VOICEMAIL/EMAIL: Please dial (408) 741-2472 --OR--
heidi_brueckner@westvalley.edu
COURSE OBJECTIVES (all courses): The main goal of this course is to give you a solid foundation of basic painting skills. You will study the elements of painting through direct observation and imagination. You will work to increase your understanding of still-life, landscape, abstraction, interior, figure, and portrait painting through an emphasis on structure, composition, paint handling, light logic, and color theory. The craft of painting and the care, selection, and treatment of necessary materials as they relate to expression will be especially emphasized.
You are encouraged to become self-critical and, therefore, more self-reliant through critiques and class discussions. Critiques will be used as a way to increase vocabulary related to painting and aesthetics, increase confidence in verbal communication, and as a method of alternating the painting process with analysis. In addition, bi-weekly slide presentations will be given on the history of western painting.
INTERMEDIATE OBJECTIVES (49 B): Beginning Painting 49A, is a prerequisite for this class. This is a structured, project-oriented course designed to expand your abilities as a painter both formally and conceptually. More sophisticated ideas of color and composition will be explored. If you find in the first couple of weeks that this course is above your level, you may switch to the beginning course.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED OBJECTIVES (49C, 49D): Painting 49A, 49B, (49C) are prerequisites for this class. In this course, you will have increased opportunity to pursue personal style and interests. More sophisticated ideas of color, composition, and theory will be explored through studio practice and research of the history of painting. Projects will focus on personal artistic direction and theme development. Students will also supplement the painting process with written and verbal analysis of their work and have the opportunity to explore a wider range of materials and techniques. Please take note that painting from observation will be emphasized (no copying pictures), although at times you might be using parts of existing photographs as reference material.
ATTENDANCE: Attendance is mandatory and roll will be taken during each class. I believe dedication and hard work are just as important as talent or experience. Please note you are allowed one absence this semester which will not affect your grade. Your final grade may drop one letter grade for each subsequent absence. More than three absences may result in dropping you from the course. I accept make-up assignments but they do not generally "erase" your absences.
Occasionally, an excused absence will be granted, but only under extreme and documented circumstances. If possible let me know ahead of time if you will be absent.
Arriving late and leaving early is unacceptable and will affect your grade. You will miss critical information and disturb other students who are drawing or listening to lecture. Please note for every tardy or early departure you incur, 1% can be taken off of your final grade.
I accept make-up assignments but they do not generally "erase" your absences. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to call or visit me during office hours to get informed about what you missed. I do not repeat lectures.
CLASS WITHDRAWAL: It is the student's responsibility to withdraw from the class by submitting a drop card to the Admissions Office.The last day to drop without a "W" notation is September 21. The last day to drop with a "W" is November 23.
CLASSROOM RESPONSIBILITIES: You must be set up and prepared to paint by 7:45 AM. Please no cell phones!!! Please no walkmen!!! You will have a total of 45 minutes of break time per class. Please treat your classmates with respect at all times. Please note disruptive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. A student may be asked to drop the course for this reason.
Oil painters always throw rags away in red container. Never dump solvents down the sink. Acrylic painters when cleaning palette and brushes big globs of paint go in the trash. Always run water generously when cleaning up.
STORAGE: There are painting racks available on the first and second floor.
CLASS WORK: Keep and sign on the back ALL of your paintings and exercises. You will be asked to submit them, a few at a time, several times during the semester. Work for this class will consist of in-class paintings AND outside assignments.
HOMEWORK: Expect an average of 3 hours of homework per week. Outside assignments will be graded down for each day late. If you are absent on a day homework is assigned, be sure to contact someone in the class so that you may turn it in on time. Absence is not an excuse for turning homework in late. Homework will consist of painting, reading, writing. I will give you a list of hours when this studio is available for you to work in.
MIDTERM/FINAL: In 49A a midterm painting will be assigned and will be executed outside of class. It will be due sometime in the middle of the semester. In all classes a final painting or series will be assigned and will be completed during class and outside of class. The final exam meeting is Fri., December 20, 7:30am-9:30am (for 49A), 9:40-11:40 (49B, C, D). It will consist of a critique of the final.
GRADING: Grade options are: A, B, C, D, F, W, I, CR/NC. In-class paintings and outside work will make up the main portion of your grade. Much of your grade will be based on the quality and improvement of your work, the completeness of your work, the meeting of deadlines, work ethic, and following directions (90%). Attitude, willingness to act on constructive criticism, and participation during critiques will affect your grade as well (10%). Please note as explained above, attendance and punctuality will affect your overall grade.
It is your responsibility to alert me if you do not understand something in the daily course content.Please be aware the goal you should set for yourself in this course is to do the absolute best work you can. Not everyone will finish this class doing A work, but the goal is to improve your skill level in painting by the end of the course. If you ever have a concern about anything please let me know.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Any student who has a disability that may affect class performance should contact me privately as soon as possible.
LOCAL ART STORES:
University Art Warehouse, San Jose
456 Meridian Ave
297-4707
University Art Warehouse, Palo Alto
650-328-3500
Aaron Brothers
944 Blossom Hill Rd.: 578-2430
725 Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd.: 738-0332
Michaelís
Westgate Shopping
on Saratoga Ave.
OTHER ART STORES:
Amsterdam Art
1013 University Avenue, Berkeley
510-649-4800
Amsterdam Art
5424 Geary Bl., San Francisco
415-387-5354
Utrecht Art Supply
1909 University Avenue, Berkeley
510-649-0808
The Art Store
811 University Avenue
510-486-2600
MATERIALS
Oil or Acrylic Paints (1st priority)
Ultramarine Blue
Thalo Blue
Cadmium Red Medium or Light
Yellow Ochre
Cadmium Yellow Light
Alizarin Crimson
Burnt Umber
Black (sugg. Ivory)
White (sugg.Titanium, no Flake)
Paints (2nd priority)
Dioxazine Purple
Cobalt Blue
Burnt Sienna
Viridian Green
Sap Green
Cadmium Orange
Paints (3rd priority)
Prussian Blue
Cerulean Blue
Permanent Green
Olive Green
Oil Economy: Utrecht, Winsor Newton (student grade), Grumbacher Academy
Oil Artist Grade: Rembrandt, Gamblin, Winsor Newton, Grumbacher Pretested
Acrylic Economy: Utrecht, Amsterdam Art Brand
Acrylic Artist Grade: Golden or Liquitex in tubes
Brushes:
hog (oil & acrylic), nylon (acrylic), synthetic sable (oil & acrylic)
Brights ( 1/2", 1")
Rounds (1/2", 1/4")
Sizes 6, 8, 10 (variety, not too small)
Other Materials: Oil & Acrylic
Color wheel
Palette-white (glass,paper, wood)
One sided razor and holder for scraping palette
Pencils
Latex gloves
Magazines
Drawing Pad, approx. 11"x14"
Cotton rags (sheets, towels, t-shirts)
Trowel palette knife
Clip light
1 bar Ivory soap
Scissors
Glue
Box or bin for materials
Acrylic Matte Medium
approx. 9"x12" canvas pad
Other Materials: Oil
Turpenoid (no turpentine), large/med can
2 glass jars with lids: one large, one small
2 squeeze bottles, heavy plastic
Stand Oil
Damar Varnish
Liquin
Other Materials: Acrylic
1 squeeze bottle
1 spray bottle
Glazing Liquid by Golden
1 water container
Painting Surfaces: Canvas board or unstretched, gessoed canvas or masonite (less expensive), or pre-stretched canvas (more expensive). These are approximate sizes.
49A: approximate sizes
three 12"x15" (one for first class)
three 10"x13"
five 15"x18"
one 8 "x10"
two 18"x24"
49B: approximate sizes
three 15"x20" or bigger (one for 1st class)
one 12"x15" or bigger
one 22"x30" or bigger
one 18"x24" or bigger
one of choice
49C, 49D: approximate sizes
one wooden box approximately shoebox size (for first class)
-or- three canvases approximately 12" x 15"
one 22"x30" or bigger
three of choice
one 18"x24"
Optional:
Canvas, Stretcher bars, Gesso, large cheap brush for gesso
Recommended Books
49A: ARTIST'S HANDBOOK OF MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES by Ralph Mayer.
49B: COLOR IN CONTEMPORARY PAINTING by Charles Le Claire.
49C: ELEMENTS OF COLOR by Johannes Itten.
49D: SHOCK OF THE NEW by Robert Hughes.