You should try to expose yourself to as much visual art as possible during the semester. Frequently refer to art magazines (located in the library) to see what esthetic and philosophical issues and debates are current, and to see which contemporary artists are considered important. Art News, Art in America, and Art Forum are the primary publications you should refer to.

I am not using a textbook for this course due to its cost, but if you are interested in buying a book that I believe will be of great benefit to you the title is: Painting As A Language, by Jean Robertson & Craig McDaniel. It can be acquired in most bookstores or on-line. I appologize for the cost, but I think you will find it quite worthwhile. It is the best painting textbook that I have seen in all my years of teaching. Your actual textbook for this course will be your own life experiences, and techniques you discover through painting. Don't try to compare your work to your classmates. Compare it to what you think you are capable of. Most importantly, enjoy the experience.

This is only a tentative schedule that is quite subject to change based on how things go with you folks in this course. Everyone is expected to arrive on time for class. It is imperative that we get started on time since there is a great deal of material to cover in a relatively limited amount of time. Unexcused, missed critiques count as two absences. Any missed class before or after a break counts as two (2) absences. After three (3) absences, each additional absence will decrease your grade by 1/2 letter. You are being allotted enough time to adequately complete each assignment. Each painting is to be complete by the assigned critique date. Any late work will negatively effect your grade. You can change/alter/improve your work after a critique, in fact you should. You will be given a written evaluation of your work and a tentative grade after each critique. Final paintings will be discussed with you individually at the end of the semester. You can change your work up to that time. These end of the semester meetings are mandatory! Final grades will be determined after the conclusion of these meetings. Only your residence in a hospital can exempt you from these meetings. They are not painful and are merely individual discussions between you and me. You are expected to work a MINIMUM of nine (9) hours per week for this course. To complete all that is expected, you will need to put in at least this much time, but if you productively use class time there should be little problem with completing everything required. I would strongly advise you to not miss any classes though, because they will be extremely difficult to make up.

There is a great deal planned for the semester. It should be a good semester. I hope you can help make it a great one.

Supplies for Painting

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