Art 330: Intermediate Painting
Syllabus

Instructor: Kevin Muente
Office: FAC 413 Office hours: MW 12:00-1:00 p.m. and TR 12:05-1:40 p.m.
Phone: 572-6012

I got into the painting yesterday afternoon. It turned out to be, once in it, a very interesting and very colorful experience. I realize when the abyss appears that it is absolutely necessary to enter it. It's the place where secrets lie. It is the source. - Reflections of Nature, Joseph Raffael

Course Objective

This course will build upon foundation painting skills learned in Beginning Painting. We will be learning more about composition, color theory, value, figure ground relationships, and paint application. Some of this course will feature figure painting while other elements of the course are designed to help broaden the range of possibilities for further exploration. This course for the advanced student is designed to help the student pursue and build a cohesive body of work. Personal investigation becomes the impetus for work. Painting abilities and techniques should be refined this semester, as well as sophistication of concepts.

We will also broaden your art vocabulary terms so that we can learn to talk about what we are seeing. Several trips to the library and museum will be required, as will attendance at group and personal critiques. We will also be doing some writing. Writing, like painting helps our thinking processes and the two compliment each other, so there will be occasional journal entries in our sketchbooks.

This semester we will work extensively with color, and light, and how it effects still life, landscape, interior space, and other muses for painting. Non-objective and abstract paintings may also be investigated as genuinely valid concerns.

Class Policies

Attendance

You are allowed two absences during the quarter. This includes both excused and unexcused, so save your absences until you really need to use them. Any beyond this will put a downward slant on your grade. No exceptions! Upon missing your third class your grade will drop one letter grade, four absences constitutes a drop of two letter grades, and if you miss five classes you automatically fail. If you do miss class it is still expected that you do the make-up work.

Attendance is grade neutral. For example, good attendance will not help your grade, however, poor attendance will harm it. Class starts at 1:40 p.m. so please be prompt. If you are late more than two times it will count as one absence, so don't be late! Cleaning up early or leaving early will also be counted as a late. I also encourage you to call to find out what you missed.

Grading

My evaluation of your work will be determined by the following criteria: Timely completion of work (that means being ready for critique); the quality of your work; individual growth; and class involvement. Your work will be graded on how well you meet the criteria and engage the concepts covered in class.

We will have individual meetings to discuss your progress in the class. You will be required to turn in a final portfolio of all work.

My grading scale is as follows:

A: Great work! W0W! Superior. Risks are taken and many are overcome. Student is enthusiastic and has an excellent grasp of the concepts covered in class. A serious effort is put forth, student engages homework with a degree of technical excellence. Scholarship is evident. Great command of observational skills. Marked improvement. Student shows considerable initiative. Student often does what is asked for exceedingly well. Great involvement in the class, student contributes a positive attitude which benefits the class. Student seeks out and looks at other artists constantly. Participates often during critiques.

B: Above average. Good. Student does a good job on homework. Assignments and in-class work are accurate. Student displays a level of marked improvement, understands what is asked of him or her and responds well to suggestions. Student shows up and is ready and wanting to paint on a constant basis. Student works hard and has a solid grasp of concepts and methodologies covered in class. Can see and correct errors well. Good command of observational skills. Participates often in class critiques.

C: Mediocre. Work is acceptable, but average, sometimes doesn't fully comprehend all the concepts covered in class. Homework has errors. Student may work hard but barely meets assignments and requirements. Student may have some skills but initiative is uncertain. Some improvement is shown. May or may not see errors in their work but isn't very effective in resolving those problems. Student often can't or is unable to make required changes based on instructor's suggestions or instructions. Student may at times not be fully prepared for class.

D: Below average. Work is often late and/or of poor quality. Student has major problems with assignments such as perspective, intensity, value, and proportion. Little or no class participation, student may be late several times, or may have an attendance problem. Student shows little improvement. Can't fix and doesn't see errors in their work. Student doesn't follow directions or requirements of the instructor. Could have some skills however they lack proper motivation or initiative.

F: Failure. Work not turned in or unsatisfactory, excessive tardiness, poor attendance, attitude is a problem and often disrupts the learning process. Missing 5 or more classes.

The schedule in this course is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

Course Progression

Weeks 1-3: Class policies, and Still Life Painting.
Week 4: Critique of Still Life Painting.
Weeks 4-5: Futurist/Cubistic Space Assignment, and trip to the Art Museum.
Week 6: Critique of Futurist/Cubistic Space Assignment
Weeks 6- 7: Abstraction Assignment and Critique, individual consultations
Week 8: Multi-Figure in Space Compositional break down
Weeks 9-10: Class presentations on issues in painting. You and a partner will give a 30 min. presentation on a various theme or issue in painting.
Weeks 10-14: Figure Painting, Self -Portrait assignment, and trip to local galleries.
Week 15: Group critiques, and cleaning studio.
On occasion you may have to come to the painting studio to do homework and paint from a class set-up.

Note: You should expect at least three/four hours of homework a week.
In addition to doing your work you are required to visit or attend 2 galleries or art lectures and write a short summary. The NKU gallery doesn't count.

Material List

Drawing board 24" x 36" Masking tape
Art supply box Bound sketchbook
Acrylic gesso (white one pint) 3" flat brush
Cotton rags Pencils (6b,2b, HB)
Various papers such as Arches or Rives BFK Various round, flat and filbert brushes
Masonite, go in on this with a class mate and share a 4' x 4' piece
2 yards of canvas (unprimed) Jars
Odorless Paint thinner Liquin
Stand oil 18" x 24" piece of plexi-glass
Titanium White, Cad Yellow Light, Cad Yellow Medium, Cad Red, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine Blue, Phalo Blue, Burnt Umber, Black
Ivory Soap, Apron Q-tips, Damar Varnish, Linseed oil(Raw), Staple gun, pallette knife, razor blade. You may also wish to use other various types of paints, tools and stuff to create artwork.

Class Responsibilities

The student is held responsible for all lectures, demonstrations, discussions, reading assignments, etc. throughout the course. If you miss anything, it is your responsibility to find out what it is and correct the situation.

Disability

If you have any condition or impairment that hinders the full expression of your true ability, please meet with me to personally discuss this in regard to class requirements and performance.

Academic Honesty Policy

Since honesty in the course is required, cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the instructor and/or college constitutes a violation. Where applicable, a grade of zero may be assessed in the area that has been violated. This may affect your final grade. You may also want to examine the Student Honor Code at http://www.nku.edu/deanstudents/HonorCode.htm.

Dates to Keep in Mind
I'll also try to keep you posted on Lectures by Artists, and other Arts Activities.
Final Friday gallery openings.
Trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum Thursday September 7th.

Kevin J. Muente
Assistant Professor of Art
Northern Kentucky University