Art Department - ART 123B: INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLOR PAINTING

ART DEPARTMENT - ART 123B SYLLABUS

ART 123B: INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLOR PAINTING

Instructor: Michael Takemoto

Telephone: 984-3220 (office), 984-3249 (art studio)

E-mail: mmtakemo@hawaii.edu

Course Objective:

This beginning course in watercolor painting will introduce the student

to basic technical information about watercolor media. The class will

consist of short lectures, field trips, demonstrations and in-class

painting sessions.

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Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, the students will be able

to:

a. Select and use watercolor materials.

b. Show proficiency in the use of various watercolor techniques.

c. Utilize various art elements in communicating visual ideas.

d. Utilize various design principles in composing a watercolor

painting.

• Complete the creative problem solving process, from planningand discovery to implementation and evaluation.

Grading:

Final grades will be based on the successful completion of painting exercises

and assigned watercolor projects; class attendance and participation; and

portfolio review.

Attendance and punctually is required. You must be in class unless you have a reasonable excuse and have contacted the instructor prior to

class. Two unexcused absences or three tardies will reduce your grade by one letter.

Art 123B is a five week course consisting of eleven (11) class meetings. Students are responsible for everything discussed and assigned in class. It is YOUR responsibility to keep up with missed demonstrations and assignments.

Grading Criteria:

Attendance and class participation: 20% of your final grade.

Completed watercolor paintings and studies: 70% of your final

grade.

Final painting project: 10% of your final grade.

Students are required to keep a portfolio in which all work (sketches,

watercolor studies and finished paintings) are kept. The portfolio will

be reviewed and critiqued during the final class session .

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Service Learning:

Students may also choose to do an optional Service Learning project for extra credit or in place of the final project.

Service Learning is a learning method which connects meaningful community-service experiences with academic learning, personal growth, and civic responsibility. It enhances what is taught by extending students' learning beyond the classroom and providing opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge in real-life situations in the community.

The Maui Arts & Cultural Center, the Hawai'i Nature Center, the Hui

No'eau Visual Arts Center, public and private schools, and other organizations have agreed to sponsor activities with the Service Learning Program. If you are interested in this option, you are required to:

• Inform and get approval from the instructor.

• Complete official forms.

• Work 15 to 20 hours with the organization.

• Keep a daily time log.

• Keep a reflection journal.

• Share your project experiences with the class.

Disability Statement:

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for students with documented physical, sensory, systemic, cognitive, learning, and psychiatric disabilities. If you believe you

have a disability requiring accommodations for this class, please notify Shane Payba, Special Needs Coordinator, at 984-3496 or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)

984-3325 or the Text Telephone (TT) replayservice at 643-8833. The Office of Special Needs Coordinator will verify your disabilityand provide the course instructor with recommendations for appropriate accommodations.

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ART 123B: INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLOR PAINTING

Watercolor is one of the most versatile and challenging painting mediums. It can be handled with precision for fine detail work and it is also can be used in a fluid and spontaneous manner.

One of watercolor's great charms is that it is never entirely predictable. The artist cannot be absolutely sure of what may happen and this element of risk adds spice to the painting process.

The full effect of watercolor depends on luminous, transparent washes of color built up layer upon layer. White paint deadens the freshness of color, so areas of highlight are achieved by leaving the white paper bare. Light tones are produced by using thin washes of color. Dark tones are brought to a suitable intensity by applying several successive thin layers of the same color.

Watercolor is composed of pigments (powdered coloring agents) suspended in a solution of gum arabic (resin from the arcacia tree). Watercolor is soluble water, which also acts as the vehicle to spread the pigment. Pigments can be derived from from three main sources: mineral, organic, and synthetic.

Pure watercolor is produced and sold in various formats: pans, half-pans, liquid form, and in tubes. None of these are better than the other, however, for Art 123B, we will use tubes.

The paint also comes in two grades, “artist's” and “students'”, while the latter are cheaper, they are also inferior.

Watercolor brushes are an important part of the artist's equipment. The best and most expensive watercolor brushes are made from sable, however there is a large range of synthetic brushes which are perfectly adequate. Buy the best brushes you can afford.

Watercolor paper are made with three different surfaces: hot-pressed. cold-pressed, and rough. Hot-pressed paper is smooth, cold-pressed has a slight texture, and rough has a heavy texture. Watercolor paper also varies in terms of weight (which determines their thickness).

Watercolor palettes come in assorted sizes and shapes. Look for one that has an edge of at least a quarter inch to keep the washes from spilling. It should be white so you can judge the color and strength of you paint mixtures. An enamel butcher's tray or a high impact plastic palette all work well. A white porcelain dinner plate can also be used, however they have no dividers to keep colors from running together.

Other materials you will need include a water container, masking tape, paper towels, a spray bottle, a drawing pencil, an eraser, and a board to tape your paper on. Optional supplies are watercolor crayons or pencils, sponges, salt, an old tooth brush, and masking fluid.

Try to get as many supplies and materials that you can. You will find that with practice, patience, and experimentation, watercolor painting will be a rewarding and enriching experience.

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ART 123B: INTRODUCTION TO WATERCOLOR PAINTING

Supply List

A successful watercolor painting and positive painting experience is often determined by the quality and quantity of the material used. Good art supplies are expensive. Please get all of the required supplies, and if you can afford it, the recommended ones.

Required supplies:

140 lb. watercolor pad, 18”x24”

Clipboard or masonite drawing board

1” masking tape

Roll of paper towels

Deep well palette

Water container

1” flat brush

#10 or #12 round brush

Watercolor paint kit (10 to 8 tube set)

Recommended supplies:

Drawing pencils

White plastic eraser

Pump sprayer

Watercolor crayons

Liquid mask

Fan brush

Various brushes of different sizes

Old tooth brush

Salt (table and rock)

Sponges

Sketch book

Portfolio

Box/container to keep supplies in

Other various supplies as required

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