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ARTS 2316.001
PAINTING FOUNDATIONS
Fri. 12:30 p.m.-3:15 p.m.
Spring 2011
Professor Contact Information
Betsy Belcher
bbelcher@utdallas.edu
office hours: in classroom, before or after class (or by arrangement)
Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions
none
Course Description
While introducing the fundamentals of materials and technique, this class will explore painting as
a means of expression for each individual. Classroom assignments, demonstrations, slide lectures
and critiques will all be used to develop the observational skills and intellectual questioning
necessary to create an effective, satisfying work of art.
Additionally, the class aims to give the student insight into the use of color in painting and to
provide some understanding of the critical and technical vocabulary of painting. The student may
also arrive at a fuller understanding of concept, content and creative process.
Students will be given a series of assignments exploring a range of traditional and contemporary
subject matters for painting. Potential subjects include still-life, self-portraiture, and landscape, as
well as some less familiar sources of imagery relating to non-representational and abstract art.
The practice of painting is undertaken with a wide variety of motivations, intentions and imagery,
all adding up to a unique combination for each artist.
Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes
Students will be given a sequence of assignments to develop an understanding of painting,
through exposure to both the technical and intellectual demands of the discipline. Working
primarily from direct observation, classroom work will stress learning to see, to control materials
and to gain insight into the creative process.
1. Cultivate each student’s ability to observe closely & carefully: to translate seeing into painting.
2. Introduce students to the vocabulary necessary to talk about paintings.
3. Begin to shape students' ability to discuss and analyze the structure and meaning of paintings.
4. Expose students to the variety of techniques and approaches used by painters historically and in
contemporary practice.
5. Allow students to investigate their ability to communicate through the creative means of
painting and introduce them to the notion of a visual language.
6. Develop the student’s facility and familiarity with the practical aspects of painting.
Required Textbooks and Materials
It is each student’s responsibility to purchase the supplies necessary to complete the work for this
class. A supply list will be provided on the first day of class. These materials will be discussed at
that time. Please bring all necessary supplies to the second class and be prepared to work.
Materials will be available at Asel Art Supply as a discounted package. Other materials are
available at other art supply stores, hardware stores, and office supply stores. Some supplies will
be available at the campus bookstore. The instructor requires that you buy all the necessary
supplies and come equipped to work effectively. She cannot provide these for you. The
instructor has worked to keep the material costs reasonable.
Lockers are available in the studio area for storing supplies. Students must provide their own
locks. Sharing a locker will be necessary.
Assignments & Academic Calendar
1/14 Discussion: materials, studio procedures, class policies, overview of projects. Supply lists given.
First assignments explained. What is painting? Approaches to painting. Learning to see.
1/21 Color terminology, color theory and color schemes in painting. Understanding value, tints,
shades. Using paint, paint qualities, and defining your palette. Work in class (assignments due at
end of class on 2/4: this allows time to dry!). Prepare canvas (underpainting) for first painting.
1/26 NOTE: LAST DAY TO DROP CLASS WITHOUT A “W” (WEDNESDAY)
1/28 Brief discussion of composition and structure. Why paint from observation? Setting up to paint.
Begin limited-palette still-life painting in class (first painting).
2/4 Submit color assignments for grading. Work in class. Complete first painting before next class.
2/11 Critique of first paintings at start of class (due for grading). Color-scheme/point of view
painting: begin work in class.
2/18 Work in class on color/point of view.
2/25 Work in class. Last class day for assignment. (Cropped-image project homework given with
presentation and discussion – homework due 3/6 for review).
3/4 Color-scheme/point of view still-life: critique at beginning of class (due for grading). Review of
homework assignment. Demo of transfer and projection of cropped images. Cropped image
painting: begin work in class, if time allows.
3/4 MIDTERM GRADES ONLINE
3/11 Cropped image painting: work in class.
3/18 NO CLASS!! SPRING BREAK!!
3/15 NOTE: LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WP OR WF (MONDAY)
3/25 Cropped image painting continues. Self-portrait assignment given, with slide presentation.
Discussion of alternative and traditional supports and preparation of painting supports.
4/1 Review ideas for self-portrait assignment. You may begin work on project when previous painting
is complete. Cropped image painting is due FOR CRITIQUE at the beginning of next class.
4/8 Critique of cropped-image painting at start of class. Presentation and instructions given for alla
prima painting. Self-portrait painting: work in class.
4/15 Alla prima painting done in class (outside, if weather allows). Work in class on self-portrait.
4/22 Alla prima painting done in class (outside, if weather allows). Work in class on self-portrait.
4/29 Self-portrait painting: work in class. This is the final in-class day for painting. ABSOLUTELY
NO make-up work or late work will be accepted after today!
5/6 Final exam day! Last two paintings due and discussed in class. Semester review.
This syllabus, including the course schedule is open to revision at the instructor's discretion
throughout the semester, and changes will be announced during class.
Grading Policy
Grades will be based on the following criteria –
1. Attendance. Arrive on time, set up to work and clean up afterward.
2. Successful, on-time completion of all assigned projects. All late work will be subject to a
deduction of one full grade mark (a B will become a C) for every week it is late. This applies to
homework as well as paintings done during classtime.
3. Participation in critiques, group evaluations and classroom discussions.
4. Creative problem-solving, intellectual growth, willingness to experiment, effort expended in
research for self-directed projects, and a clear attempt to achieve goals. These are YOUR
paintings. Don’t be afraid of them. Have the nerve to ruin them.
5. One extra-credit project will be offered to improve your grade. Remember that your extra
credit project can only improve one grade by one mark (you may turn a B into a B+, for example).
Extra credit work must be completed in accordance with the written instructions provided by the
instructor. I will not accept extra credit work that does not conform to these instructions.
6. Deductions will be taken for excessive absences and chronic tardiness. Active participation in
class and an interest in finding out more about painting (at local museums, galleries and the
excellent resources of our library) will be an added benefit to your grade.
7. Each painting or project is graded individually after a class evaluation and discussion. These
grades will be averaged and will count for approximately 85% of the final grade. Homework and
preparatory work are the basis of other grades, amounting to approximately 15% of the final
grade. Attendance, participation in discussions, and making an effort to improve your technique
and analytical skills are indispensable and are essential to doing well in the class.
Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty.
Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by
the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual
honor in his or her scholastic work.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to
applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or
material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the
following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying academic records. Students
suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.
Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other
source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see
general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the
web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.
Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between
faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues
concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university
encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email
address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a
UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD
furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with
university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.
Withdrawal from Class
The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration
procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements
from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper
paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to
attend the class once you are enrolled.
Student Grievance Procedures
Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities,
of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.
In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments
of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to
resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the
grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”). Individual faculty members retain
primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at
that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the
respondent’s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the
respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not
resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic
Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic
appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.
Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of
Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations.
These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.