ART 275 – Painting 1 Syllabus - Fall 2012
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh / Art Department
ART 275: PAINTING 1
Fall 2012, MoWe 10:20-12:30, A/C S219
Instructor: Trina May Smith
E-mail: smithtm@uwosh.edu
Office Hours: 1-2pm Mon/Wed. A/C 521
COURSE DESCRIPTION: In this course students will engage with
technical, practical, and concept based problems involved with
the practice of oil painting. Color theory, surfaces and
techniques, materials, and application will be explored
throughout the term. Projects will almost exclusively center on
painting from observation. Painting still lifes, the model, and
both interior and exterior spaces (landscape) will be among the
primary subjects. Conceptual concerns will be explored within
historical and contemporary painting issues.
Course Requirements:
In
to
in
At
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Class Projects: You will be expected to be set up and ready
paint by 10:30. There will be a suitable amount of time for
class projects. Be sure to use your class time diligently.
times, finishing paintings outside of class will be necessary
achieve an excellent product.
Homework Assignments: You will have homework assignments each
week that pertain to the work done in class. Be prepared to
present and discuss your work in small or large group critiques
on days that assignments are due. Homework is due the Monday
after it is assigned unless otherwise specified. Expect to work
a minimum of 5 hours per week outside of class on homework
assignments and finalizing in class work.
Participation: Come to class prepared. Bring all materials and
supplies you will need for that day. Fully engage in critiques
and discussions.
Surface Preparation: Class time should be used for actively
progressing your paintings. All surface preparation should take
place before class. Prepping multiple surfaces at the beginning
of the term is suggested.
GRADING:
Work will be graded throughout the term. Both in class and
homework assignments are graded. In class assignments are due on
the day they are critiqued. Unfinished work will be graded down
a whole grade (A to a B, B to a C, etc) Late work will also not
be eligible for reworking for a higher grade. Homework
assignments are due on Monday of every week.
Preliminary Work: Required preliminary work will be designated
for each assignment. Document and present all preliminary work
at the beginning of projects to be graded in class on an
individual basis. This will include thumbnail sketches,
compositional examinations, research of historical and
contemporary artists, etc. Preliminary work will count as 25% of
your final grade for each in class project.
In Class Grades:
1) Preliminary Work: 25%
2) Composition:
resolve of the picture plane:
25%
3) Technique: resolve of execution, color, and material
application: 25%
4) Concept/ Interest: Creative problem solving both technical
and interpretive; originality, and depth of exploration:
25%
Homework Grades:
1) Composition and technical resolve.
Overall “balance” of
the picture plane, technical resolve of color, execution
(edge quality, drawing elements, etc.), and material
application: 50%
2) Concept/ Interest: Creative problem solving both
technical and interpretive: originality and depth of
exploration of the assignment: 50%
Grading Scale:
A = 100% -93%
A- = 92% - 90%
B+ = 89% - 87%
B = 86%- 83%
B- = 82% - 80%
C+ = 79% - 77%
C = 76% - 73%
C- = 72% - 70%
D = 69% - 60%
F = < 60%
A = Going above and beyond to produce a superior product.
Consistently excellent work. The depth of research, amount of
growth, and personal involvement exceed expectations of a student
at this level. All technical and conceptual elements are fully
resolved, and the student is committed and engaged in critiques
and discussions during class.
B = Consistently above average work. Student exhibits technical
and creative growth through the course of the term and engages
beyond the minimum in critiques and discussions as well as the
completion of class assignments.
C = Meets the minimum requirements for each assignment. Shows
technical and creative capabilities, turns work in on time, and
participates in class critiques and discussions.
D = Below average performance. Student consistently does not
meet the minimum requirements but is still showing an effort and
turning in work and participating in class critiques and
discussions
F = Either student misses too many classes (more then 4) or does
not complete the required work.
Re-doing Projects:
If you are unsatisfied with a grade earned for any project, you
may rework it as many times as you desire. Only the highest
grade earned on any single assignment will be recorded. This
policy does not apply to any project that is turned in late.
Projects are expected to be DONE for critiques, and will be
considered late if they are not.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Attendance is expected at all times. Two (2) absences are
allowed without penalty. Two Subsequent absences will result in
a drop of a half of a letter grade each. Five (5) absences will
result in an “F” for the semester. There are no “excused”
absences. Homework that is late will be marked down a letter
grade. Excessive lack of preparation, tardiness and leaving
early will also affect the final grade.
- Turn off cell phones and personal devices before entering the
classroom. If I catch you on your device you will be marked
absent.
Special needs:
I wish to assure that all students are fully included in this
course. Please let me know within the first two weeks of class if
you need any special accommodations in carrying out assignments,
in participating in classroom instruction, or other aspects of
the course. Please make an appointment to discuss these issues
with me – it is difficult to maintain confidentiality when
talking before and after class.
Please note that due to the
unique, participatory nature of a studio lab course,
accommodation cannot include extensions of the stated
attendance/absence policy. I will try to maintain
confidentiality of the information you share with me.
MATERIALS and Supplies: Art Haus or Hobby Lobby are both
excellent sources for supplies in town. You will also need to go
to a hardware store for supplies such as glass, hardboard and
wood.
Required:
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-
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8X10 sketchbook or notepad with blank paper for compiling
and executing preliminary work (does not need to be high
quality and can be a continuation of an existing sketchbook
if desired)
Oil Paint:
o 5fl oz
 Titanium (or titanium-zinc) White
 Ultramarine Blue
 Cadmium Red Hue (Medium)
 Cadmium Yellow Hue (Medium)
o 2fl oz
 Alizarin Crimson
 Phthalo Green
 Phthalo Blue
 Burnt Sienna
 Van Dyck Brown
 Burnt Umber
 Yellow Ocre
 Lemon Yellow
 Sap Green
Brushes:
o Round (Soft….better quality…to be used for detail
work)
 #4, #8
o Flat (I do not recommend getting the super cheap
bristle brushes.)
 #2, #6, #10, #12-? (Make sure your largest brush
is at least 1 inch wide.)
o Filbert or larger round (optional….can provide a
diversity of brushstrokes based on personal
preference)

-
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Of your choice to fill out your brush selection
(optional)
Other Materials:
o Palette Knife.
o Palette (you will need to pick up your glass for you
palette at: Jackson Glass. 102 Merritt Ave)
o Linseed oil
o Damar Varnish 4oz jar
o Squeeze bottle (with cap preferred) for containing
medium
o Palette Scraper
o Rags (I often cut up old t-shirts.)
o 3 Bars of Ivory Soap
o Gloves to protect hands or Protek (barrier cream)
o Roll of Masking Tape
o Wet Sanding Sponge
o Sand paper
o Tackle or Paint Box to Store Materials
o #2 Pencil
o Sharpener
o Erasers
o Lock
Painting Surfaces:
o 3 11x14” Canvas Panels
o Piece of Plywood or cradled wood panel 16x20” (Can get
a 2’x2’ piece of plywood from Menards to cut down)
o 3 11x14” min 16 x 20” Max your choice (Not Canvas
Panel)
o 2 16x20” min 18x24” Max your choice (Not Canvas Panel)
o 1 2 foot x 2 foot piece of ¼ inch hardboard (for
Landscape Painting)
**Note: At least on of the choice surfaces must be a structure
that you have built and stretched yourself.**
** Additional material may be needed as the course progresses.
Recommended:
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Palette knife for mixing (5 sided flat)
Paint clothes to change into or paint shirt for over your
clothes
Liquin as an additional medium to try besides the above
Galkyd if you are interested in a particularly shiny
surface (Galkyd can also be mixed with wax for a less shiny
effect and can do things that the other mediums can not)
Additional palette for at home. Disposable palettes are
great….or making an additional glass palette.
Course Outline:
Wed.
Go over Syllabus, Introductions,
9/5
Homework: Gather supplies, get a locker.
Mon.
9/10
Begin Small Black and White painting of still life #1. Reduced Palette:
Mixing a black with Burnt Umber and Ultramarine Blue, white for mixing
grays. 11x14” Canvas Panel
Finish B&W painting
Wed.
9/12
Homework: Finish B&W painting if needed, finish getting and prepping ALL supplies.
Mon.
9/17
Complementary color system still life (#2) painting. Reduced palette: All
greens and reds, white. 11x14 Canvas Panel. Begin with Tonal painting:
additive/subtractive with Burnt Sienna only.
Work on Complimentary color painting.
Wed.
9/19
Homework: Choose either red or blue and do a monochromatic painting of a still life at
home. Use Burnt Umber and Ultramarine blue for your black if you are choosing blue,
and Phthalo green and Alizarin Crimson for your black if you are choosing red. On
Canvas Board 11x14”.
Mon.
Finish Complimentary color system Painting.
9/24
Wed.
Stretcher building and canvas stretching Demo, Discussion with paintings to
9/26
date.
Homework: Get Materials for various upcoming assignments and prep surfaces/ build.
Priority of 16x20 canvas over board wet sanded.
Building “sculptural paintings” in groups, lighting and defending the
“paintings”.
Color study, begin still life painting #3. Full color Palette
Canvas stretched over a plywood board. Min. ½ inch (or cradled Wood Panel)
(16x20). Wet-sanded surface.
Homework: 50 Color Swatches (on paper is fine)
Mon.
10/1
Wed.
10/3
Mon.
Continue to work on Still Life #3
10/8
Wed.
Continue to work on Still Life #3
10/10
Homework: Set up a non-object still life at home. Light it and paint it. Hardboard panel
or canvas minimum 11x14”min 16x20”max. Your Choice (not Canvas Panel)
Mon.
Finish Still life #3/ Group Discussion-Critique
10/15
Wed.
Begin Figure Painting #1 16x20. Max 18x24 Your Choice (not Canvas Panel)
10/17
Homework: Subject driven painting. Choose something (anything…sink. Cup, chair, etc.
etc.) to be the primary subject of your painting. Do not include the figure! Be creative
with the composition. Do not default to placing the primary subject in the center of the
picture plane. Rather then setting up a still life…simply use part of an existing interior
space. Place emphasis on your chosen subject by controlling saturation, line, contrast,
detail, and edge quality. Min 11x14” Max 16x20”. Your Choice (not Canvas Panel)
Mon.
Continue Figure Painting #1
10/22
Wed.
Last day for Figure Painting #1
10/24
Homework: Begin 2-week homework assignment – Self Portrait. Look in mirror or use
an image. Does not have to be of face but must be your physical self. Have a minimum
of a blocked in under painting to bring in for an individual crit with Trina on Monday.
Min 11x14 Max 16x20. Your Choice (not Canvas Panel)
Mon.
Begin Figure Painting #2 (on stretched Canvas) min 16x20 Max 18 x 24. Your
10/29
Choice (not Canvas Panel)
Wed.
Continue with Figure Painting #2
10/31
Homework: Finish Self Portrait
Mon.
Final Day for Figure Painting #2
11/5
Wed.
Critique Figure Paintings, Presentation for Landscape Project
11/7
Homework: Take pictures around town of either urban or rural landscape. Narrow down
pics to 5 that you think are particularly interesting and PRINT THEM OUT in color!! On
photo paper is preferable.
Mon.
11/12
Class discussion with printed images, Begin Landscape Painting. On
Hardboard. Minimum 24” on longest side. Begin to scale drawing of chosen
landscape image.
Base in Landscape Painting
Wed.
11/14
Homework: Figure out and do preliminary work for open assignment
Mon.
11/19
Wed.
Full class to work on Landscape painting, Individual discussions with Trina
about open assignment
No class
11/21
Homework: Begin Open Assignment. A minimum of a blocked in under painting
completed.
Mon.
Class time to work on either landscape or open assignment, individual meeting
11/26
with Trina.
Wed.
Landscape or Open Assignment
11/28
Homework: Progress your paintings
Mon.
Landscape or Open Assignment, Individual meeting with Trina to look at
12/3
BOTH paintings
Wed.
Landscape or Open Assignment
12/5
Homework: Finish both landscape and Open Assignment
Mon.
Final Crit
12/10
Wed.
Final Crit
12/12
Homework: Have an awesome break!!!!!