ART 234: Beginning Watercolor Painting

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2025
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Total Student Learning Hours: 180
Strongly Recommended: ART 111, ENGL C1000.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Proposed
Grading Method: Standard Letter, Pass/No Pass

Catalog Course Description

This is an introductory course to water media painting with emphasis on watercolor technique, composition, and formal theory. A spectrum of wash, glaze, and gouache techniques are explored using principles of color theory, composition, and space building concepts. 36 lecture hours, 72 lab hours.

Course Objectives

  • Analyze traditional painting subjects for value content and apply knowledge of painting materials and techniques to rendering of the subjects.
  • Apply principles of basic color theory and local color theory in watercolor painting
  • Apply principles of perspective, form and space as they relate to traditional watercolor painting
  • Assess and evaluate paintings based on color and composition.
  • Participate in critical analysis of watercolor paintings, to include discussion of technical concerns, content (cultural, historical, emotional, etc.), and their contexts.

Major Course Content

  1. Introduction to painting materials and standard techniques
    1.  Paint application and layering    
    2. Light and shadow on basic forms
    3. Painting using neutrals to create representation of 3-D forms
  2. Color Theory 
    1. Scientific relationships of colors (basic color theory)
    2. Effects of light on colored objects
    3. Effects of colors on each other
    4. Methods of mixing paints
    5. Using a limited palette to paint traditional subjects
  3. Composition 
    1. Historic approaches to use of space
    2. Historic approaches to depiction of perspective, form, and light
    3. Abstraction 
    4. Creating content 
    5. Recognizing cultural, emotional and aesthetic content
  4. Critical Analysis of Class Assignments and Museum/Gallery Art
    1. Technical concerns
    2. Aesthetic qualities
    3. Content subject matter, style, use of color, value, and meanings
    4. Historical, cultural, and theoretical influences on painting approaches
    5. Knowledge and application of the Elements and Principles of Art

Lab Content

  1. Watercolor paint media
  2. Color exploration
  3. Composition
  4. Painting Techniques: wash and dry brush techniques, brushes, edges, experimental techniques, masking fluid, drafting tape 
  5. Planning a painting
  6. Color Mixing and layering
  7. Limited Palette 
  8. Cropped Image
  9. Abstraction and Representational

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

instructor given handouts

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

2-3 page formal visual analysis or museum paper

Examples of Outside Assignments

practice brush skills prepare paper read handouts attend galleries and museums

Instruction Type(s)

Lab, Lecture