COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This is a beginning-level course
for students with little or no prior art-making experience. During the semester
we will create a variety of studio projects, visit an art museum and an art
gallery, and complete a series of analytical writing assignments in response to
our art-viewing experiences.
COURSE GOALS:
By the end of the semester, you
will be able to:
• Draw simple and complex shapes from direct observation.
• Use pencil, marker, colored pencil, and acrylic paint to
depict a range of tonal values.
• Mix secondary and tertiary colors from primary colors.
• Understand how to communicate using a variety of color
schemes.
• Paint realistic-looking objects placed in a visually
convincing space.
• Design a compelling two-dimensional image following the rules
of composition.
• Analyze artworks in a range of styles, materials, and subject
matter.
• Identify locations for viewing fine art in the town of
Framingham.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
While the class is designed for
beginners, it is a rigorous and challenging studio experience that requires
ongoing and conscientious effort. In order to succeed, you are expected to:
• Arrive on time to every class.
• Bring the necessary supplies for each day’s project.
• Apply yourself to the day’s assignment for the full duration
of the class period (2 hours and 50 minutes).
• Participate in ongoing group discussions and critiques.
• Present 2 complete portfolios, one at mid-semester and one at
the end of the semester.
• Show continuous and significant artistic progress throughout
the semester, regardless of the level of experience you first bring to the
course.
COURSE POLICIES:
This syllabus will guide the way
the class is organized and run throughout the semester. Students are
responsible for familiarizing themselves with and following the guidelines of
the syllabus. In registering for the class, you are agreeing to abide by the
rules listed here.
The morning version of this class
starts promptly at 8:30 AM and the afternoon version of this class starts
promptly at 2:30 PM. An attendance sheet is checked off at the beginning of
each class; if you arrive after attendance is taken, you are considered late,
which will affect your final grade.
The morning version of this class
ends at 11:20 AM and the afternoon version of this class ends at 5:20 PM.
Attendance is taken again at the end of each class; if you are not present, you
will be marked as having left early, which will affect your final grade.
Three (3) absences are allowed for
the semester, but it is recommended that you not use them except in case of
emergency. Every absence will cause you to miss important technical
demonstrations and practice sessions that will impact the quality of your work
and therefore affect your final grade.
If you are absent, it is your
responsibility to contact me via email to let me know about your absence and explain
how you plan to make up the missed time and work.
Upon the fourth absence, the
student automatically receives an F for the course.
Two instances of arriving late
and/or leaving early are considered one absence.
The student is responsible for
keeping track of his/her own attendance record.
The classroom is kept quiet so
that students can concentrate on their work. Students may use
headphones/earbuds if they prefer to work to music.
Personal interactions via mobile
device are not permitted in the classroom.
While everyone works at her or his
own pace, there is no “finishing early.” Each student is expected to keep working
on and refining the current project until the end of the class session. If you
claim to finish early, you will be asked to start a second version of the
project.
On days when weather might be an
issue, it is recommended that you check your Framingham State email before
coming to class; I will email you if class is cancelled.
COURSE WEBSITE:
The website for the course is: www.CarterExamples.blogspot.com. This site
contains complete course information including the syllabus, schedule, supply
list, and project worksheets.
If you miss any handouts during
class, you will find them online here.
PROJECTS:
Each project will be introduced
with a hard-copy handout containing details on the materials needed,
step-by-step directions, and evaluation specifications. This handout is also
available on the course website.
Technical demonstrations for each project are given
ONCE, on the day when a project is assigned. If you miss a demonstration, you
will have difficulty completing the assignment.
Projects will be started in class
and, if necessary, finished beyond class time. In order to complete these
projects, students need to purchase all of the art supplies listed below.
PORTFOLIOS:
Projects will be turned in twice
during the semester.
Portfolio 1 will be due at
mid-semester, on Wednesday, March 9. On that day, during the time our class
typically convenes, each student will present their projects from the first
half of the semester. I will photograph each artwork for reference during
grading. A grade sheet will be handed out to each student at the following
class meeting.
Portfolio 1 should contain:
Project 1: 25 Squares Drawing
Project 2: Value Variation Drawing
Project 3: Bell Pepper Drawing
Project 4: White on Black Drawing
Project 5: Toned Paper Drawing
Project 6: Doughnut Drawing
Portfolio 2 will be due on the
final day of class, Wednesday, May 4. The process is the same as with Portfolio
1.
Portfolio 2 should contain:
Project 7: Color Scheme Painting
Project 8: Written Assignment from
Field Trip to Danforth Art Museum
Project 9: White Object Painting
Project 10: Bell Pepper Painting
Project 11: Written Assignment
from Field Trip to Fountain Street Fine Art
Project 12: Doughnut Painting
These two conferences are the
course’s equivalents of mid-semester and final exams, and cannot be
rescheduled. Students who miss their conferences for any reason will receive a
0 for each project that was due on that day.
GRADES:
The evaluation of a project is
based upon, but not entirely limited to:
1. Evidence of an understanding of
the concepts examined in each project;
2. The attainment and improvement
of appropriate skills; and
3. Thoroughness in execution.
Specific grading criteria for each
project is detailed on the individual project handouts and will be explained
when the project is assigned.
Each project is assigned a letter
grade. At the end of the semester, the letter grades are converted into a
numerical equivalent (see chart below) and then averaged to reach the project
portion of the final grade.
The final grade is 90% projects
and 10% class performance (i.e. how well the student has adhered to the Course
Expectations and Course Policies, outlined above).
Students with perfect attendance
receive 1 extra point when their final grade is calculated.
A 98
A- 93
B+ 88
B 85
B- 81
C+ 78
C 75
C- 71
D+ 68
D 65
D- 61
F 59-0
ADA STATEMENT:
Framingham State University
provides accommodations for any student with documented disabilities. If you
have a disability and believe you require accommodations, please contact the
Center for Academic Support and Advising (CASA) at 508-626-4509. Please also
see your instructor early in the semester so we can make any necessary
arrangements.
