| Michelle Forsyth, Associate Professor
Painting and Drawing
Fine Arts Department
Washington State University
5072 Fine Arts Center
Pullman WA 99164
Office Hours: by appointment
Office Room #: FA 7015
Office Tel: (509) 335 - 3278
FA 362: Contemporary Watercolor
Summer 2008
Course Objective:
No prerequisites.
This special topics painting class will initially begin by exploring traditional approaches to watercolor painting; however, contemporary or subversive approaches to the medium such as ones taken by Marcel Dzama, Shahzia Sikander, Henry Darger or Tim Gardner will quickly become the focus.
Grading:
Handouts, critiques, and demonstrations will contribute to each student's formal studio technique and critical facility. Interaction and collaboration with your peers will be an important aspect of the learning process. Attendance is mandatory. You must show work during class to receive a grade. You can miss no more than 5 classes to pass. (Breakdown: 30% In-class Exercises, 30% Participation, 40% Final Project).
Optional Text:
Dewey, David. The Watercolor Book: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist. (New York; Watson-Guptill, 1995)
Course Schedule:
Week 1: An Introduction
Monday
Introduction to the course and course content. Information about materials needed for the course.
About watercolor paints (types and brands)
Related mediums (gouache, liquid watercolors, watercolor sticks)
Brushes (fibers, types, manufacturers and care)
Paper (Weights, sizes, sizing, texture)
Exercise: get supplies and text
Tuesday
Demo on stretching paper
Creating washes (wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, varigated)
Exercise: Stretch paper and create a series of 3 washes
Wednesday
Palettes, Easels and studio organization
Sponges
Drawing and watercolor
Traditional wash drawings
Importance of light and dark
From Line to Value
Exercise: Working on stretched paper, create a wash drawing from the still-life
Thursday
Slides on watercolor
Making a simple watercolor journal
Friday
Mediums
Preserving whites
Glazing
Layering
Textural Effects
Lifting, blotting
Resists
Masking fluids and glues
Exercise: Working on stretched paper, create a painting from the botanical still-life using lifting, sponging, glazing and layering
Week 2: On Location
Monday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Tuesday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Wednesday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Thursday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Friday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Week 3: On Location
Monday
Slides on Contemporary Watercolor
Color Theory and watercolor
Transparency and layering
Color chords and harmonies
Color mixing techniques
Exercise: Wet-on-wet techniques
Tuesday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Wednesday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Thursday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Friday
On Location (TBA)
Exercise: Create at least 1 painting on your watercolor block from the location
Week 4: Large Watercolor
Monday
Studio work
Enlarging techniques (using a grid, opaque projector)
Exercise: work on large watercolor
Tuesday
Studio work
Watercolor and gouache
Exercise: work on large watercolor
Wednesday
Studio work
Watercolor and colored pencil
Exercise: work on large watercolor
Thursday
Studio work
Exercise: work on large watercolor
Friday
Large Watercolor Due
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