AFVS 127H: In Motion: Painting and Drawing

Course Format and Expectations for Participation:

The focus of this course is first explored in drawing and continues in painting. Students will receive basic technical and conceptual instructions in each of the two mediums and will be expected to address the final project through a range of media.

Each weekly session will involve an introduction to concepts, group discussions and in-studio working time. Students will learn the fundamental concepts in drawing and painting with weekly readings, videos, and assignments. We will be working together, and you will have independent working time on your projects. Class discussions will be based on our reflections on the assigned texts and projects. Each of the three projects will be concluded by critiques in which we discuss each other’s work together.

Course Goals:

• Material awareness

• Gain comfort with experimentation

• Increase technical and conceptual awareness

• Develop an understanding of the relationship between materials and concepts

Materials & Mediums:

This course begins with a range of drawing materials that include charcoal, pencil, pastel, and ink and continues with painting supplies, concentrating on water-based materials, such as acrylic, watercolor, and ink. There will be discussions about painting and drawing materials as part of the class. The choice of materials and support surfaces (whether paper, canvas, or panel) will be considered in relation to the nature of the student’s idea and concept for their pieces.

Homework:

Homework is assigned weekly, and typically is a continuation of the concepts discussed in class. For each weekly discussion if readings are assigned, prepare some talking points to facilitate class discussion. Assignments are supported by relevant text, videos, and presentations. Written reflections when assigned should be submitted via email by the deadline in a word or pdf document, with your name and the reflection title in the subject line. We send an email the morning after each class with clear details of the homework and ways to prepare for the following week.

Slide Presentations:

There will be 2 slide presentations by students. At the beginning of the course, students will give a presentation of their past work lasting 5-10 minutes. In the second half of the semester, each student will prepare a slide presentation of work by a contemporary artist and link the work to the ideas presented in the course.

Final Projects:

Students will create a body of work developing ideas and subjects that we have discussed during this course, which will be presented at the end of the semester during a final group critique.

Attendance:

More than two unexcused absences will result in a lowering of the grade by one letter. Three or more late arrivals, early departures, and lengthy breaks will equal an absence. Religious observances and illness are excused absences and should be accompanied by the proper documentation. Students are responsible for contacting the TA and professor for information on missed assignments.