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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 204-1"
COURSE NAME: "Beginning Painting"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Fall 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Peter Flaccus
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 12:30-3:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: This class requires a materials fee of €75/$85 to cover all basic art supplies.
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces the basic issues of oil painting through a series of classic problems: the still life, figure study, portrait and others. Emphasis is on control of color and light and dark value, while building form in a coherent pictorial space. Oil is the preferred medium, and students buy their own materials. The course introduces connections between studio work and the history of painting.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The beginning of the course is devoted to a study of the perceptual aspects and material manipulation of color.  Subsequent painting assignments are based on working from direct observation. Visits to art exhibitions may be scheduled. Students should create at least four paintings,  from the following categories: still life study, figure study, interior study, landscape or cityscape, portrait or self-portrait.

The class is characterized by an atmosphere of study and experimentation, while working patiently in front of an objective reality. Students are  encouraged to find their own, individual approaches, and no particular style is promoted. Much of the actual painting activity takes place outside of class time. Group critiques help students develop a language for discussing their own paintings and those of others.                                                   

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students should leave the course with a new understanding of traditions and problems in painting, with increased skill in representing form in space, and with the basic tools to discover personal approaches and solutions. Students should create at least four paintings,  from the following categories: still life study, figure study, interior study, landscape or cityscape, portrait or self-portrait.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Four paintings Grading is based on an evaluation of the paintings created over the semester and the amount of work that has gone into them. The amount of work done counts heavily. Commitment, range of experimentation, improvement, and artistic quality are also strongly considered. 100

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality shows excellent mastery of the course content along with exceptional levels of technical skill, artistic awareness, originality, resourcefulness, commitment, quantity of work and improvement.  There has been excellent collaboration and leadership in group projects, and there have been no attendance problems.
B A highly competent level of performance with work that directly addresses the content of the course, with a good quantity of work produced.
CAn acceptable level of performance: the work shows awareness of the course content, but is very limited in quantity, quality, commitment and skill.
DThe student lacks a coherent grasp of the course material and has failed to produce much work.
FNegligent in attendance, academic honesty, engagement with the course content, or production of work.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is required.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Week 1:  Introduction, explanation of materials needed, explanation of attendance and grading policies
Week 2:  Discussion of all painting materials, introduction to studio rules and procedures, first paint mixing exercises, color exercise assignments
Week 3:  Color exercises regarding value, hue, intensity, preparation of first canvas, introduction to theoretical and formal problems in still life, examination of reproductions of master painting in this genre
Week 4:  Painting still life in class; explanation of use of preliminary drawings to plan painting
Week 5:  Group critique of still life paintings, lecture presentation on figure painting
Week 6:  Figure painting in class; further discussion of techniques for spatial depiction
Week 7:  Figure painting in class
Week 8:  Visit to art exhibition
Week 9:  Group critique of figure paintings; lecture presentation on interior paintings and landscape, light and color
Week 10: In-class painting
Week 11: Group critique of recent work and introduction to portrait painting
Week 12: In-class painting
Week 13: Last opportunity to paint in class
Week 14: Final group critique; preparation of final exhibition; appointments made for individual critiques and evaluations