Course Outline
Art 118 2D Design and Color
REQUIRED TEXT: Art Fundamentals, Theory and Practice, 10th edition
COURSE CONTENT AND OBJECTIVES
This course introduces the student to fundamental elements comprising graphic 2-D expression.
Regardless of future pursuits, your knowledge of design and color enhances your general
perception and experience of the world around you and brings a deeper understanding and
insight to your particular art discipline.
Course content:
 12 assignments: The first 6 are black and white, the 7th combines black and white with
color, and the final 5 are color.
 Weekly readings from required text
 A total of nine quizzes: seven based on readings, one midterm quiz, and one final quiz.
 Visual journal (as explained)
 Outside class activity (relevant to activity sheet - as explained)
 Foundation Seminar (to be explained in class)
Objective:
This course introduces compositions that are intended to provide sequential learning experiences.
Of primary importance to all relevant exercises is a focus to achieve successful composition
through the understanding and creation of dynamic spacial relationships. The picture frame,
picture plane, and the structural principles of visual order and composition should be
considered for each assignment. This aim is supported by the assigned readings, quizzes,
critiques/discussions, and terms/questions included in course content.
PROCEDURE AND POLICY
Projects assigned will be explained and started in class under the instructor’s supervision.
Following completion, assignments will be tacked on the board to be critiqued by the group to
facilitate discussion and a wider understanding of concepts presented. Because of this
contribution to the group, assignments must be presented on time and according to
specifications.
PROJECTS/COMPOSITIONS
1. Just Line
2. Line Plus
3. Just Shape
4. Shape Plus
5. Line and Shape
6. Line and Shape Plus
7. Value Scale and Color Chart
8. Color Two
9. Color Three
10. Color Four
11. Color Five
12. Color Six
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Schedule
Wk
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Composition #1
Composition #2
Composition #3
Composition #4
Composition #5
Composition #6
Composition #7
Composition #7
Composition #8
Composition #9
Composition #10
Composition #11
Composition #12
Composition #12
GRADING
All projects will be assigned a due date according to the weekly schedule provided. Late
projects will automatically receive a lower grade. Each project will be given a letter grade by
instructor and returned to students as soon as possible. All work will be evaluated with an
overriding concern for craftsmanship, relevancy to project assigned, creativity, and execution.
Any completed assignments submitted on time, either not fully understood or not receiving an
acceptable evaluation, may be done again and handed in later for reassessment and the
possibility of an improved grade.
Final grade will be based on the following:
Projects:
Quizzes:
Visual Journal:
Average of individual grade projects (12 total)
Average of seven weekly quizzes
Average of Mid-term and final quizzes
Two reviews (mid-term and final)
70%
10%
10%
10%
100%
Additional final grade considerations: attendance, class participation, activity outside class (refer
to student guidebook and activity sheet).
Foundation seminar involves the scheduling of faculty/student meetings and activities (fall and
spring) that will be part Art 118 course content.
The purpose of foundation seminar is to develop awareness and application of professional
practices through guest speakers, faculty presentations, and a culminating group activity
involving a spring semester exhibit. Student participation in foundation seminar will be reflected
in spring foundation portfolio review evaluatiions.
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PARTIAL SUPPLY LIST for 2-D DESIGN AND COLOR
Black Prismacolor Pencils
Assorted lead drawing pencils
Winsor Newton designers gouache, 6 color primary set
18” x 24” all purpose white pad
Tracing paper 11”x14”
Bristol pad, Vellum 11”x14”
Black construction paper
Assorted brushes, good quality (to be explained)
X-acto knife
Utility knife
White artist tape
Clear magic tape
Water containers
Rubber cement
Plastic paint storage containers with lids
Pencil compass (inexpensive)
Metal ruler, 18” or longer
The above items and others will be available at the Marywood University Book Store.
Reading and Quiz Schedule Fall 2013
Although considered essential, the scheduled readings and quizzes should require no more than
5-10% of total course effort and time. If necessary, Instructors will modify requirements if the
above balance of readings, quizzes, and hands-on activity is not being met.
Instructor will preview required readings before each assignment to identify essential material
for study.
Week
1. Overview of all reading
2. Chapter 1 (Intro), quiz 1
3. Chapter 2 (Form)
4. Chapter 2 (Form), quiz 2
5. Chapter 3 (Line), quiz 3
6. Chapter 4 (Shape), quiz 4
7. REVIEW, MID-TERM, quiz 5 (material to date including space and content/style readings)
8. Chapter 5 (Value), quiz 6
9. Chapter 6 (Texture), quiz 7
10. Chapter 7 (Color)
11. Chapter 7 (Color)
12. Chapter 7 (Color), quiz 8
13. Chapter 8 (Space)
14. Chapter 8 (Space), FINAL quiz 9 (comprehensive including space and content style
readings)
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Quizzes will be given during the second class of the week as scheduled. The brief quiz and
feedback will not exceed 10-15 minutes. The more extended mid-term and final quizzes will be
comprehensive (consisting of all past quiz questions to date) and will take approximately 25-30
minutes to complete. A duplicate of each quiz will be distributed to students for their records
(visual journal). The actual quizzes will be kept by instructors and returned at the end of the
semester.
Chapter 10 /Content and Style
Twelve on-going readings from chapter 10 are assigned in small increments as follows:
Week
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
pgs. 248-255 (to beginning of photography)
to pg. 262 (Post Impressionism)
to pg. 268 (German Expressionism)
to pg. 274 (Cubism)
to pg. 280 (Abstract Sculpture)
to pg. 287 (Surrealist Painting)
to pg. 294 (Bottom of page)
to pg. 301 (Abstract Expressionism and Photography)
to pg. 309 (OP Art)
to pg. 316 (Post Modernism)
to pg. 322 (Feminist Art)
to pg. 332 (To the end)
Make note of the chronological outline of Western art, especially beginning on pg. 334 with
the 19th Century. This section and the glossary of terms starting on page 338 will be helpful
references in the material studied for quizzes.
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Terms, Topics, Artists (for weekly quizzes)
The following is a list of terms, topics, and artists found in the required text (Art Fundamentals)
that will be the subject of quizzes. This material represents essential information or knowledge –
in addition to the possibility of other material covered by your instructor – that comprises part of
learning expectations that supplement and reinforces “hands on” studio experiences. The final
quiz at the end of the semester will be drawn mostly from the following terms.
TERMS
Chapter 4 (shape)
Shape
Biomorphic Shape
Implied Shape
Perspective
Volume
Chapter 1 (intro)
Content
Style
Elements of Art
Form
Non Objective Art
Objective Art
Picture Plane/Picture Frame
Representational Art
Unity
Chapter 5 (value)
Value
Achromatic Value
Closed-Value Composition
Open-Value Composition
Tenebrism
Chapter 2 (form)
Form
Evolution of Form
Composition
Gestalt
Golden Mean, Golden Section
Harmony
Principles of Organization
Unity
Variety
Chapter 6 (texture)
Texture
Collage
Papier Colle
Tromp L’Oeil
Chapter 7 (color)
Color
Chroma
Additive
Subtractive
Hue
Local Color
Monochromatic Color
Tertiary
Analogous
Complementary
Neutralized Color
Color Systems
Simultaneous Contrast
Intensity
Intermediate
Chapter 3 (line)
Calligraphy
Contour
Hatching
Implied line
Line
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Chapter 8 (space)
Space
Linear Perspective
Two Dimensional Space
Three Dimensional Space
Plastic Space
Content and Style: pg. 246-33
Timeline
Glossary: pg. 33
TOPICS
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List and briefly define the elements and principles of design
List and briefly explain Itten’s color contrasts
Explain what is meant by the Development toward Abstraction
Explain the evolution of form using the chart as example: pg. 29, Fig. 2.1
List and briefly explain the three basic components of a work of art (pg. 11)
Explain how shape is used in Picasso’s Guernica. (pg. 100)
List and briefly explain the three physical properties of color?
List and describe some well known color systems, one example being primary triads (pg.
152)
What are the devices used to create spacial indicators? (pg. 181)
ARTISTS
Examples (color plates) of artists appear in the following chapters. The artist’s work represents
an idea discussed in that chapter. For instance, in the introduction the work of Piet Mondrian is
used to illustrate the concept of the Development toward Abstraction shown in 1.14 at the top
of page 13.
Another example is the illustration of Picasso’s painting Guernica shown on page 100,
Illustration (4.16) to show how shape can be used as a directional device. By studying and
understanding these examples you not only familiarize yourself with artists new to you, but also
see how the ideas and devices discussed in the text are used by these artists. Artists appear
below:
Chapter 1 (Intro)
Mondrian
Sheeler
Rembrandt
Van Gogh
Christo
Motherwell
Gauguin
Chapter 5 (Value)
Giotto
Leonardo Da Vinci
Caravaggio
Titian
Manet
Poussin
Frank
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