* NOTE: Welcome to this semester's painting course. You will be a using water-based paint, Acrylic, throughout the semester, one of the newer of the painting mediums. You will be encouraged to explore various methods of visually expressing your own unique visions. Some of the assignments will be very structured while others are more open to interpretation. You are each unique individuals, with your own histories and interests. Your paintings will reflect this. Some of you will have had more painting experience than others, but you hopefully have already taken the oil painting course. If not, it is not the end of the world. It should not make that much difference in regards to your success in this course. You will be expected to work to the best of your ability as I am expecting to make each of you excellent painters. You should be pleased only with the best results that you are capable of achieving. It is not an easy course, but it is a very rewarding and enjoyable course. I hope that this is the beginning of a long and fullfilling experience as artist/painter.

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, Art Forum and the New Art Examiner  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 subject to change based on how things go with you folks. 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. You can change/alter/improve your work after a critique, in fact you should. 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. Let's try to make it a great one.

One last thought. This course is based on production. You are actually making art rather than merely studying that of others. There is no one correct way to produce art works, but many, and you are encouraged to find your own. It is however still a beginning painting course, and there are certain proceedures then need to be followed. As the semester progresses you will be allowed more freedom to be more personally expressive, but for now we are here to learn some of the basics. I am a firm believer than one learns by being self-taught with guidence. You will learn much more about art production from doing rather than trying to imitate. I do hope you will enjoy the process, and I will gaurentee that you will develop a greater appreciation for painting after trying it yourself. Best of luck, and if you ever have any questions do not hesitate to present them.

And, another section that we have all been instructed that we must include follows. Sorry for the repetition.

You will be expected to attend campus cultural events and vitisting artists' lectures when they occur, and I would like to see you keep a sketchbook with notes about these events alone with drawing studies.

Acacemic Honesty Code: When a students submits any work for academic dredit, she makes an implicit claim that the work is wholly her own, done without assistance of any person or source not explicitly noted, and that the work has not been previously submitted for academic credit in any area.

Course Cancellation Policy: If it is necessary to cancel a class for some unforseen realon I will try to contact you by e-mail. The secretary of the Departkment will also be notified and she will puit anotice on the doors of the studio. If there is not a note from the office the class is not cancelled. In the event that a class is canceled (or that for some reason I cannot be there) you should still work on you own in the studio. You should have a key so it should not be a problem.

College Policy for Students with Disabilities: Any student who is eligible for accommodations to complete the requirements and expectations of this course because of a disability should make her needs known to me and should also contact Iris Giamo, in tghe Disability Resource Office (x4262) or e-mail; igiamo@saintmarys.edu for an appointment to review documentation and arrange for appropriate and legal accommodations. Students who suspect they may have a disability are also encouraged to contact the Disabilities Resource Office.

This is only a tentative schedule that is subject to change based on how things go with you folks. 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. You can change/alter/improve your work after a critique, in fact you should. 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. Let's try to make it a great one.

One last thought. This course is based on production. You are actually making art rather than merely studying that of others. There is no one correct way to produce art works, but many, and you are encouraged to find your own. It is however still a beginning painting course, and there are certain proceedures then need to be followed. As the semester progresses you will be allowed more freedom to be more personally expressive, but for now we are here to learn some of the basics. I am a firm believer that one learns by being self-taught with guidence. You will learn much more about art production from doing rather than trying to imitate. I do hope you will enjoy the process, and I will gaurentee that you will develop a greater appreciation for painting after trying it yourself. Best of luck, and if you ever have any questions do not hesitate to present them.

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. Enjoy the experience, and let me know if you have any problems or need anything. Also, let me knowif we are getting low on any supplies - not after they have already run out. One last thing - Your work must be original. You may use source materials, but they must become your own. You alone are responsible for your work. Treat it well and respect it as well as the work of everyone else. Let us hope for a very enjoyable and rewarding semester.

Supplies for Painting

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