Spring 2012, T, Th 1:25 – 3:55
Fine Arts Department, Room FA7016
Associate Professor M. Forsyth
Office Hours: by appointment. Office Room #: FA 7015
Office Tel: (509) 335 – 3278
E-mail: mforsyth@wsu.edu
Web: www.wsu.edu/~mforsyth

Course Description (From WSU Catalogue):

Prereq FA 102, 110. Basic painting; introduction to composition and color structure.

Course Objectives:

To attain a knowledge of acrylic paints and mediums.
To develop a sensitivity to color.
To hold the ability to build and prepare different painting supports.
To execute fundamental painting techniques.
To discuss your work and ideas succinctly.

Attendance:

This is a very demanding course. Handouts, critiques, and demonstrations will contribute to your formal studio technique and critical facility. Interaction and collaboration with your peers will be an important aspect of the learning process. Please note that this course requires at least 3 hours of homework per week. The projects take a lot of time and energy and it will be impossible to complete unless you work consistently throughout the semester. Please do not arrive late or depart early from class meetings, there is simply too much material to cover in each class and it proves to disruptive and disrespectful to all of us. Absence from a class is not an excuse for skipping a tutorial, reading assignment, or project. You are responsible for completing work.
Please note:
5 absences results in failure of the course.
15% will be deducted from your final grade if you have missed 3 classes
20% will be deducted from your final grade if you have missed 4 classes
The following also counts as 1 absence:
Arriving more than 10 minutes late to class 3 times.
Leaving early from class without permission.
Not participating in class exercises.
Texting during critiques.

Grading Policy:

Because this class focuses on studio production, a substantial portion of your grade is based on attendance and participation. In addition, all work must be submitted for critique on the due date. You must show work during class critiques to receive a grade. Work should be ready to hang by critique date. If you fail to hand your assignments in on time, 4% per week will be subtracted from the grade received. Work submitted by the deadline may be revised for re-evaluation. Resubmitted work must include substantial revision and show considerable improvement and alteration. Resubmission of work at this stage is strongly encouraged, time permitting. The revised grade will be an average of both grades received. At least 20% of each project must be completed in class. If work is not done in class, that 20% will be deducted from your grade on that project.

Final Grades will be based on the following factors:

30% Class participation and attendance. Showing up and participating in class discussions and critiques is mandatory.
60% Completion of assignments. At least 20% of each project must be completed in class.
10% Final Meeting (present all completed assignments and participation)

Students with Disabilities:

I am committed to providing assistance to help you be successful in this course. Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability. If you have a disability and may need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please visit the Access Center. All accommodations MUST be approved through the Access Center (Washington Building, Room 217). Please stop by or call 509-335-3417 to make an appointment with an Access Advisor.

Academic Dishonesty:

WSU is committed to principles of truth and academic honesty. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication in the process of academic work, and can result in suspension or dismissal from the university. In this class, academic dishonesty will result in failure of the course and will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct. See http://www.conduct.wsu.edu/default.asp?PageID=343 for more information.

In Case of Emergency:

WSU students should always be prepared to take steps to maintain their own safety during any emergency situation. The information at the link below can help you be better prepared: http://oem.wsu.edu/emergencies

Painting Materials:

1 - triart non stick palette 12 x 16 or a disposable paper palette plus a tupperware container that will hold it with a tight fitting lid. 
A small sponge
A roll of paper towels

A selection of brushes such as:
1 - #00 round white talkon connoisseur brush
1 - #1 round white talkon connoisseur brush
1 - #4 filbert white talkon connoisseur brush
1 - #10 filbert white talkon connoisseur brush
1 - #8 flat white talkon connoisseur brush
1 - #12 flat white talkon connoisseur brush
2 - 3 inch gesso brush (Get this from the hardware store)

3 Palette knives small sizes

Acrylic Paint (note that you may be required to purchase additional colors if needed):
2 - 5 oz tubes titanium white (opaque) or 1 titanium and 1 zinc white (transparent)
A purple: Dioxazine purple (transparent)
A cool red: alizarin crimson (transparent) or quinacradone rose (transparent)
A warm red: 1 - 2 oz tube cadmium red (opaque) or Naphthol red (semi-opaque)
An orange: 1 - 2 oz tube cadmium orange (opaque)
A warm yellow: 1 - 2 oz tube Cadmium yellow (opaque)
A cool yellow: 1 - 2 oz tube Lemon or Hansa yellow (semi-transparent)
A warm green: 1 - 2 oz tube sap green (transparent) or olive green (transparent) 
or azo green (transparent) or chromium oxide green (opaque) or green gold (transparent)
A cool green: 1 - 2 oz tube permanent green (semi-opaque) or virdian green (transparent) or pthalo green (transparent)
A cool blue: 1 - 2 oz tube prussian blue (transparent) or Pthalo blue (transparent), or Cerulean Blue
A warm blue: 1 - 2 oz tube ultramarine blue (transparent) or cobalt blue (semi-t transparent)
1 - 2 oz tube paynes grey (semi-opaque)
(optional) 1 - 2 oz tube yellow ochre (opaque)
(optional) 1 - 2 oz tube burnt sienna (semi-transparent)
1 - 2 oz tube raw umber (semi-opaque)
1 - 2 oz tube ivory black (opaque), mars black (opaque), or lamp black (semi-opaque)

Acrylic Retarder
Liquitex glazing medium 237 ml.
Liquitex ultra matte gel 237 ml.

Also:
Gesso (we will supply some gesso but not all that you may need for the semester. Crimson & Gray has reasonably priced gesso in Gallon buckets. It is advisable to get one of these)
2 inch roll of masking tape (from Pullman building supply)
Charcoal pencil 
Pencil
Ruler
Roll of aluminum foil (from grocery store)
4, 22 x 30 sheets of watercolor paper 140 lb. Arches or Fabriano is best

For making supports:  (from Pullman building supply)
Staple gun and staples
Canvas as needed
1 x 2s - as needed
quarter round – as needed

Projects

Project 1: Value Scale 4 ways
Due: Tuesday January 17
On a piece of prepared paper measuring 11 x 14 inches, you will create a 9 x 4 inch grid. In the first row you will make a value scale from white to black. In the 2 other rows you will simulate the black and white scale as closely as possible using 2 different sets of complementary colors. For the last 3 row you will use your mediums to achieve transparency and you will use the white background of the paper as your light.

Project 2: Opacity vs. Transparency
Due: Thursday January 26
Cut a 22 x 30 sheet of paper into quarters. Take 1 sheet and make a single fold or crink in it. Gesso the a second piece of paper and make a painting of the first piece of paper using two complimentary colors plus white to achieve neutral grays. Then, make a second folded sheet of paper then do a painting of the this third sheet of paper, but without the use of white. Here you will use your mediums to achieve transparency and you will use the white background of the paper as your light. After you have finished you will fold and display your paintings like the folded sheets.

Project 3: 1 Canvas Support; 1 Wooden Support
Due: Thursday February 2
We will work in the woodshop to build a canvas support known as a stretcher. We will also build a cradled wooden panel. The size and format of these supports is up to you.

Project 4: Aluminum Foil Painting on Paper using a grid
Due: Tuesday February 21
Use all or part of your aluminum foil to make a sculptural object that you photograph and paint as accurately as possible using a grid method for enlarging. You are required to work from a photograph rather than your cell phone for this assignment so you will need to print out the photograph before you come to class. For this painting I want you to focus on one grid square at a time akin to knitting. The sculptural object that you make is entirely up to you, however I would like you to translate it into paint as accurately as possible including the items you see in the background so pay attention to composition. This is a full palette painting, however, you cannot use black but must mix it.

Project 5: Textured Self Portrait in White
Due: Tuesday March 6
Using only white and your ultra matte gel you will create a self portrait with the use of a small hand mirror. Here you will build the entire painting using texture. This painting will be done on a wooden panel.

Project 6: 3 Color Studies
Due: Tuesday March 20
change of hue and temperature
change of value
change of saturation

Project 7: Pile of Clothing on Canvas
Due: Thursday April 5
On canvas, you will paint the still life that consists of a pile of clothing. I want you to consider the composition for this painting, but the main goal is to focus on color mixing to achieve accurate color. You may need to buy some additional colors in order to mix some of the highly saturated ones. You may use transparency and textural effects.

Project 8: Brown Still Life.
Due: Tuesday April 24, Thursday April 26
For this project you will be required to paint a small arrangement of at least 5 objects that are different shades of brown and various degrees of opaque and transparent, matte and sheen. To do this you will be asked to select these objects including 1 cardboard box and bring them to class. You will work from life and will arrange the objects inside the box. The finished painting will include the box containing the objects and can include a background if you like. This painting will be done on a wood panel or a canvas using a grisaille method and will be built from successive layers of transparent color. In addition, you may paint areas of flat, opaque color.

Schedule

Week 1:
Tuesday January 10 - Guidelines for class, materials, goals and expectations for the class.
Thursday January 12 - Begin Project 1

Week 2:
Tuesday January 17 - Project 1 Due, Begin Project 2
Thursday January 19 - Work Day

Week 3:
Tuesday January 24 - Work Day
Thursday January 26 - Project 2 Due

Week 4:
Tuesday January 31 - Woodshop Day
Thursday February 2 - Woodshop Day Project 3 Due

Week 5:
Tuesday February 7 - Work Day
Thursday February 9 - Work Day

Week 6:
Tuesday February 14 - Work Day
Thursday February 16 - Work Day

Week 7:
Tuesday February 21 - Project 4 Due
Thursday February 23 - Work Day

Week 8:
Tuesday February 28 - Work Day
Thursday March 1 - Work Day

Week 9:
Tuesday March 6 - Project 5 Due
Thursday March 8 - Work Day

Spring Break March 12 - 16

Week 10:
Tuesday March 20 - Project 6 Due
Thursday March 22 - Work Day

Week 11:
Tuesday March 27 - Work Day
Thursday March 29 - Work Day

Week 12:
Tuesday April 3 - Work Day
Thursday April 5 - Project 7 Due

Week 13:
Tuesday April 10 - Work Day
Thursday April 12 - Work Day

Week 14:
Tuesday April 17 - Work Day
Thursday April 19 - Work Day

Week 15:
Tuesday April 24 - Project 7 Due. Final meetings. Class clean up day.
Thursday April 26 - Project 7 Due. Final meetings. Class clean up day.