We should not forget that the true purpose of education is to make minds, not careers.

Transcription

1 We should not forget that the true purpose of education is to make minds, not careers. Chris Hedges Class Syllabus: Spring 2014 ADVANCED PAINTING: ART 3222 & ART 4223A, 4224A, 4225A & 4950C Monday and Wednesday: 2:20 pm 4:50 pm, Washington Hall 235 Professor: William Willis Contact info: home ph: (706) Office Hrs: 12 2:20 Monday/Wednesday RECOMMENDED TEXTS: (These books are highly recommended but not required.) Mark David Gottsegen, The Painter s handbook Robert Henri, The Art Spirit James Elkins, What Painting is Course description: This advanced painting course focuses on the painting process - the act of creating. Students are encouraged to use their current skills and knowledge of painting as a steppingstone for continued exploration. Historical and contemporary painters/issues are examined for reference. Class discussions and critiques are conducted on a regular basis. Course objective: At the end of this course the students should have a greater awareness of the painting process, have further developed painting skills and be forming a unique personal vision. Method: Practice working in the spirit of studies. All work done in this class should be considered practice. This means focusing on the painting process rather than any end product. Learning through trial and error is key. The arrow that hits the bulls eye is the result of a hundred misses. Buddhist saying Don t learn how to do things, keep on inquiring how. You must keep up an attitude of continuous study and so develop yourself. I don t know a better definition of an artist than one who is eternally curious. Every successful canvas has been painted from the point of view of a student, for a great painter is always a student, Do studies not pictures From Hawthorne on Painting

2 In art the solution is profoundly simple the secret is always to be a beginner. From Shunryu Suzuki s Zen Mind, Beginner s Mind In summary, the method in this course is to practice, to paint through trial and error. Embracing one s mistakes and failures is how one learns. Successes are important as well. They give confidence to take on more challenges that lead to more failures. This is the never ending cyclical process that is essential for the growth of a painter and artist. CREATIVE TRAITS: Three essential traits of being an artist (and success as an art student) are: 1) Open-mindedness setting aside likes and dislikes, seeing essentially everything as pure potential. 2) Risk-taking - willingness to take on challenges and risks for the sake of learning. 3) Selfreflection - taking time to reflect on the deeper aspects of your art and life. CLASS WORK: Your painting activities will consist of a mix of structured assignments and personal projects. OUTSIDE OF CLASS: THIS IS IMPORTANT. Students are expected to work outside of class. The time should be no less than one outside hour for each class hour. Remember you have 24 hour access to the studio as long as at least two people are working inside. You must have your current ASU ID. Public Safety s phone number is CELL PHONE USE: DO NOT use cell phones in class, Cell phones and other such communication devices should be turned off and kept out of sight. Please assure that your phone is OFF or in the silent mode before entering the classroom. Do not set to vibrate. Vibrating phones are audible in a classroom environment and distract those who are around you. MUSIC AND HEADPHONES: The instructor may allow headphones with permission. Any open music in the studio must be pre-approved by instructor. CLASSROOM REQUIREMENTS AND SAFTEY: The Red Cans are for any material or container that has contained linseed oil. The Red cans ARE NOT made for regular trash. The large blue containers are for regular trash. Mineral Spirits or Turpentine? Everyone must use odorless mineral spirits for cleaning brushes. Distilled pure gum turpentine may be used to make your own painting medium but not for cleaning purposes. Painting mediums will be discussed in class. Any spirits mineral, paint or turpentine may be disposed of by pouring it into one of the 2-½ gallon containers in the sink room. DO NOT pour solvents, mediums or paint down the sink. Spirits used in the classroom should be in metal, unlabeled containers that are made for painting

3 (These may be purchased in the painting department at local hardware stores.) The cans come with a metal lid. At the end of each painting session put your closed metal cans containing spirits into one of the yellow safety cabinets. Your name should be one the cans. I suggest 3 quart size cans for working and at least one gallon containers for storage and recycling - to be discussed in class. DO NOT smoke or use a lighter in the painting studio! This is extremely dangerous. Painting rags that are no longer useable may be disposed of in a red can. Rags to be saved may be placed in a metal can and stored in a yellow safety cabinet. Do NOT leave used rags out if you are not using them. Cloth containing linseed oil will spontaneously combust. Many paints contain harmful materials. Painting with gloves is recommended but not required. Safe handling of paint will be discussed further in class. If you are pregnant, you should consult with your obstetrician concerning taking this class. If there is a fire alarm, you must vacate the building immediately. Storage: All work done in class should have your name and semester (Fall 2012) on it. Only work done for this semester and in this class should be left in the studio. Paintings should be stored in painting racks. Remember, put you name on the work. Unidentified work may be thrown out. TESTING AND DISABILITY SERVICES ( ) (TDD ) (SEE THE CURRENT ASU CATALOG) ACADEMIC HONESTY, COPYRIGHT ISSUES Please refer to the following web sites: GRADES: Grades are based on the student's demonstrated ability and willingness to engage and complete all class assignments, practice class methods and objectives and demonstrate creative traits listed above. Class participation, work ethic, classroom behavior and attendance are also important factors. (See sections below on attendance.) ATTENDANCE, TARDINESS, LEAVING EARLY AND I FORGOT MY MATERIALS: Attendance is required as is being on time and prepared for class. Students are to be ON TIME and to work and participate for the entirety of the class. You should be prepared with materials for each class. The ASU attendance policy from the current catalog (available on the web) will be followed. This policy states that if the student has been absent for more than the equivalent of 10 percent of class time, regardless of cause 10% equals 3 days. You all get these three days- excused or not. If you are not dropped after 3 days, your semester GRADE may be lowered one entire letter. If you are not dropped after five absences, your semester GRADE WILL be lowered one letter grade. On the sixth absence, you will be dropped without exception.

4 PAINTING STUDIO SAFETY * All solvents (mineral spirits, turpentine, alcohol, etc.) must be kept in the assigned silver cans with appropriate lids. Each can should be clearly labeled (sticker labels will be provided) stating contents, your name, and semester of enrollment. Example: Sally Smith, odorless mineral spirits, spring 2014 *All solvent containers must be stored in the YELLOW FIRE CABINETS *If you are unsure that your supplies may be flammability and/or omit harmful fumes place them in the YELLOW FIRE CABINETS. *At the end of each painting session place solvents cans in YELLOW FIRE CABINETS. No solvent cans are to be left out. *Usable rags with traces of paint or solvent should also be placed in silver cans, appropriately labeled and stored in YELLOW FIRE CABINETS *Unusable rags that are saturated in solvents are to be discarded in RED TRASH CANS only. *Absolutely no solvents should be poured down the sink. The sink is for water only (washing hands). *When your solvent becomes unusable (muddy) it should be poured into one of the RED PLASTIC GAS TANKS located in the back washroom. After emptying the unusable solvent, wipe the remaining sludge from the empty can with paper towels. Discard the used paper towels in the RED TRASH CANS. *Extension cords must be unplugged and rolled up after each painting session *The YELLOW BRICK ROAD or fire escape route must be kept clear at all times. *Do not obstruct any vents. *No food or drink is allowed in the painting studio at any time. No outside food or drink should be discarded in studio trashcans. *Woodshop is to be used by permission only from PAINTING FACULTY (Alan MacTaggart, Janice Whiting, Tom Crowther, Bill Willis). *Always use the buddy system when working in the painting studio after hours. Both you and your buddy should have a current GRU-A ID. Materials and supply list (Note: The following is a basic list. Additional supplies will be needed during the semester. I will discuss these and the supply list in general at our first meeting. Paint: Oil: a minimum palette should include a range of primary and secondary colors - plus black, white and neutrals. I recommend as many different colors and brands as you can afford. Typical basic (minimal) palette: Primary colors: cadmium red light, cadmium yellow light and ultramarine blue or colbalt blue Secondary colors: cadmium orange, permanent green light and manganese violet Neutrals: ivory black, mars black, titanium white, raw umber, burnt umber, raw sienna, burnt sienna, yellow ochre

5 Mediums: Winsor/Newton Liquin or equivalent alkyd resin such as Gamblin s Galkyd (Note: we will discuss several medium options, both traditional and the newer fast drying alkyds) Solvent: Odorless mineral spirits (Gamblin s Gamsol is the best but it s expensive.) Brushes: natural bristle for oil A variety of sizes (#4 - #12) and shapes (flats, rounds, etc.) Paint Knives: minimum of two - different shapes/size Palette: Disposable paper palettes or freezer paper (sold in rolls in grocery stores) Masking tape various uses including taping freezer paper to palette table Supports: Any traditional rigid or stretched and prepared (sized/gessoed) support. Stretched canvases (purchased or self-prepared), canvas board (one supplied initially), plywood, etc. Cotton rags: old tee shirts torn into handkerchief sizes Containers: (to hold solvent) tin cans, Tupperware w/lids etc. aluminum foil or plastic wrap can be used to cover tops if there is no lid. Artist notebook/journal: recommended size: 9 x 12 Tackle box or similar container to hold paints and supplies. As mentioned above this list is basic. Other useful items: drawing materials, staple gun, staples, pliers, tube wringers.