ART 130: Beginning Painting

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Spring 2021
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 108
Lecture Hours : 36
Lab Hours: 72
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 72
Strongly Recommended: ART 111, ENGL 101.
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

An objective approach to form, space, and color concepts using oil or acrylic paint. Includes critical examination of paintings for technical and aesthetic concerns, content, and historical/cultural influences. 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 painting.
  • Apply principles of perspective, form and space as they relate to traditional painting.
  • Assess and evaluate representational and non-representational paintings based on color and compositional criteria.
  • Assess paintings for aesthetic qualities.
  • Explain how technique, color, and composition contribute to overall content (meaning) of paintings.
  • Participate in critical analysis of paintings, to include discussion of technical concerns, meanings (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 volumetric 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. Historical approaches to use of space
    2. Historical 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

Lab Content

  1. Paint Media
  2. Oil
  3. Acrylic
  4. Composition
  5. Painting Techniques
  6. Achromatic Still life Studies
  7. Color Mixing
  8. Limited Palette Color Still Life
  9. Cropped Image
  10. Stretching Canvas
  11. Abstraction
  12. Concept Painting

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Instructor provided handouts

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

3 page Formal Visual Analysis Paper critically discussing a painting viewed at a museum and/or Artist Report analyzing an artist's work

Examples of Outside Assignments

Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments outside of the regular class time:
Paint Study Answer questions Practice skills Read required materials Solve problems Write essays, research papers, reports, or journals Observe activities related to course content Participate in activities related to course content Visit art galleries and museums

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Lab, Online Education Lecture, Online Education Lab