METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
COURSE OUTLINE
TITLE:
Watercolor
PREFIX/NO. ARTS 2025
COURSE PREFIX AND NO. ARTS 2025
LEC 2.5 LAB 6.0
CREDIT HOURS 4.5
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces water media to the beginning student. Students will explore color,
composition, and a variety of techniques such as wet-in-wet, dry brush, and mixed media.
Students develop an individual approach to painting with an emphasis on technique. The
course also covers a variety of subject matter to include objective reality and subjective
imagination.
COURSE PREREQUISITES:
ARTS 1010
RATIONALE:
The purpose of ARTS 2025 Watercolor is to foster skill development in the use of transparent and opaque
water-based media, color, alternative techniques, two-dimensional composition, and visualization. This
course can provide a beginning level experience for any major and is also recommended for students wishing
to pursue careers in Fine Art, Graphic Communication Arts, Electronic Imaging, and Art Education.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS and/or MATERIALS:
No required text.
INSTRUCTORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO USE TEXTBOOKS AS REFERENCE FOR
TEACHING, SUCH AS:
Bibliography:
Barber, John. The Watercolor Wheel Book, Metro Books, New York, 2006
Beckwith, Mary Ann, Creative Watercolor: Step by Step Guide and Showcase, Rockport Publishers,
Rockport, MA, 1995.
Dewey, David. The Watercolor Book: Materials and Techniques for Today’s Artist. Watson-Guptill
Publications, New Yourk. 1995
Drysdale Green, Jean. Art Effects. Watson-Guptill. 1993
Harrison, Hazel. The Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques. Running Press, Philadelphia. 2006
Smith, Ray. An Introduction to Watercolor. Dorling Kinderseley, New Yourk. 1993
Watercolor magazine, Interweave Press
Attached course outline written by: Patricia M. Hollins
Reviewed/Revised by:
Effective quarter of course outline:
Academic Dean:
Date: October 2009
Date:
Fall 2010
Tom McDonnell
Date: October
Course Objectives, Topical Unit Outlines, and Unit Objectives must be attached to this form.
2009
Materials:
Basic drawing utensils and sketchbook with the addition of painting supplies and watercolor
paper, optional digital and photography media, and collage materials.
The following is intended to provide guidelines for a typical material list. Instructors should
feel free to modify it as they see fit, keeping in mind the objectives of the course and the
current cost of art supplies.
Watercolor tubes
Ivory black
Cadmium red or alizarin red or winsor red
Cobalt blue or ultramarine blue or winsor blue
Cadmium yellow or winsor yellow
Green, orange, and violet of your choice
White gouache paint
Palettes, large and small
Brushes, variety of round and flat
Large wash brush (1” or larger soft bristle)
Watercolor block, cold-pressed, 9” x 12”
22” x 30” watercolor paper, cold-pressed, 4-5 sheets
Graphite pencils, HB, 2B, 6B
Ruler
Erasers
Scissors and x-acto knife
Rinse jars
Natural sponge
Paint rag
Sketchbook, 9” x 12”
Tape, 1” acid free
Drawing board 20” x 23” or masonite
Optional but recommended
Spray bottle
Plastic wrap
Different salts
Rubbing alcohol
Tea bags
Q-tips and cotton balls
Other drawing media for mixed media
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Create images from the planning stage to completion.
Define and use watercolor and painting terminology.
Demonstrate proficiency with basic watercolor techniques.
Acquire knowledge and skill with fundamental tools and materials related to watercolor.
Use color effectively as part of the composition.
Produce a portfolio that integrates knowledge gained in the course.
TOPICAL UNIT OUTLINE/UNIT OBJECTIVES:
UNIT I
A.
B.
C.
D.
UNIT II
A.
B.
C.
D.
UNIT III
A.
CREATIVE PROCESS
Planning compositions with the sketchbook
Problem Solving
Creativity techniques
Communicating ideas through imagery
WATERCOLOR PROCESS
Flat wash and graded washes
Wet-in-wet and dry brush
Mark-making with different tools
Mixing with normal and sedimentary pigments
DESIGNING PICTORIAL SPACE
Composing space with design principles and elements
UNIT IV
A.
B.
C.
UNIT V
A.
B.
UNIT VI
A.
UNIT VII
A.
B.
C.
D.
UNIT VIII
A.
B.
C.
COLOR, PIGMENTS, PALETTES
Mixing local color vs retinal color
Color as expression
Paint charts use for planning colors
PORTFOLIO
Development of final projects
Demonstration of skill gained during the course
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Traditional and contemporary works in watercolor
SUBJECT MATTER
Still life
Figure
Landscape
Imagination
MATERIALS
Papers
Stretching
Brush types
COURSE REQUIREMENTS/EVALUATION:
1. Upon successful completion of this course, the student will have created a specific number of
paintings using a variety of transparent watercolor and water media techniques, subject matter,
color mixing, and approaches to composition. This work comprises the portfolio for the class
and may include a sketchbook, color mixing charts, basic exercises or similar.
2. The student will also have learned how to properly use watercolor vocabulary to correctly
identify and discuss painting methods or techniques and concepts. This will be assessed using
written assignments such as a quiz, test, gallery review, or research paper. Other informal
methods include critiques, field trips, or visiting artist lectures.
3. Grades will be based on demonstration of course content, painting skills, craftsmanship,
quality, creativity, improvement, participation in studio (including attendance), and written
assignment scores.
ARTS 2025 Watercolor
COURSE OBJECTIVESASSESSMENT MEASURES
Create images from the planning stage to completion.
Define and use watercolor and painting terminology.
Execute basic watercolor techniques effectively.
Compose images using design skills.
Use color effectively as part of the composition.
Produce a portfolio that integrates knowledge gained in the course.
portfolio
quiz
portfolio
portfolio
portfolio
portfolio