First-Year Studies: Introduction to Painting

Catalog description

Technical exploration, perception, development of ideas, intuition, invention, representation, and communication are at the core of this class. The course will begin in an observational mode, introducing practical information about the fundamentals of painting: color, shape, tone, edge, composition, perspective, and surface. We will paint still lifes and transcribe a masterwork. The work of both old masters and contemporary painters will be looked at. We will take a trip to a museum to look at paintings in the flesh. The course will include demonstrations of materials and techniques, slide presentations, films and videos, reading materials, homework assignments, group and individual critiques. In the second half of the course, we will complete a series of projects exploring design principles as applied to nonobjective (abstract) artworks. Using paint, with preparatory collages and drawings, we will engage with strategies for utilizing nonobjective imagery towards self-directed content. Each week will bring a new problem, with lessons culminating in independent paintings. Projects will emphasize brainstorming multiple answers to visual problems over selecting the first solution that comes to mind. The last part of the course will be devoted to a personal project. Students will establish their theme of interest, which they will present during our conference meetings; then will carry out research and preparatory work to develop a series of paintings. Drawings will often be produced in tandem with paintings in order to solve painting problems and illuminate visual ideas. Revisions are a natural and mandatory part of this course. The majority of class time will be spent in a studio/work mode as a lab, where ideas are being worked out and meaning is made. It is important that students are curious and travel to unexpected places rather than merely relying on existing skills…