Catalog Description

Advisory: Completion of ART 4A with grade of "C" or better
Hours: 90 (36 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Description: Introduction to watercolor as a transparent painting medium through exploration of traditional watercolor methods and techniques. Topics include composition, color use, development of sources of personal inspiration, and the study of watercolor in historical and contemporary art periods. (C-ID ARTS 210) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Critique artworks using correct studio terminology.
  • CSLO #2: Apply proper material handling and disposal safety standards.
  • CSLO #3: Create paintings that evince a working knowledge of the physical properties of watercolors.
  • CSLO #4: Create watercolor paintings that express content through manipulation of mark, color, value, and composition.

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

90

Outside of Class Hours

72

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
Lecture Objectives:
1. Examine, describe and evaluate historical and contemporary developments, trends, materials, and approaches in watercolor painting;
2. Assess and critique paintings in group, individual, and written contexts using relevant critique formats, concepts and terminology;
3. In oral or written formats, analyze and evaluate watercolors use in various cultures in terms of their techniques;
4. Using correct terminology, evaluate, verbally or in written form, one's own art work, the work of other students, and the work of professional artists in terms of elements of
a. composition and design,
b. hue, value, chroma, and temperature of colors, and
c. historical and cultural references.
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Create paintings that evince a working knowledge of the physical properties of watercolors;
2. Organize and apply the basic formal elements and principles of design in watercolors;
3. Apply the principles of perceptually and theoretically based color theory to painting projects;
4. Construct and prepare painting surfaces and supports including paper stretching;
5. Safely store, handle, use, and dispose/recycle studio painting materials.

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • AA/AS - Fine Arts
  • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
    • CSUGE - C1 Arts
  • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
    • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

      Articulation Information

      • CSU Transferable
      • UC Transferable

      Methods of Evaluation

      • Classroom Discussions
        • Example: In periodic class discussions and critiques, students are evaluated according to how perceptively and articulately they analyze, discuss and evaluate their own paintings and those of their classmates and how perceptively and articulately they analyze, discuss and evaluate the watercolor paintings of various painters throughout art history and contemporary art.
      • Projects
        • Example: Students are required to keep a portfolio of all of the watercolors they create during the semester. The instructor reviews the portfolio at least twice-- once at midterm and again at the end of the term, evaluating the work according to the above criteria.
      • Skill Demonstrations
        • Example: 1. Student are evaluated by the watercolors they create in class during the semester. The paintings must demonstrate skill in terms of: a. values of light and shadow, b. appropriate color c. design and composition, d. appropriate surfaces and supports.

      Repeatable

      No

      Methods of Instruction

      • Laboratory
      • Lecture/Discussion
      • Distance Learning

      Lab:

      1. Instructor demonstrates painting techniques of:
      2. graded washes or
      3. paper stretching Students use both techniques in class sessions. The resulting paintings are then analyzed, discussed and evaluated by the students and the instructor in class critiques.

      Lecture:

      1. Instructor creates class discussions and critiques. Students analyze and evaluate their own artwork and the artwork of their fellow students. Course objectives 2 Through handouts, online sources and PowerPoint presentations, instructor introduces students to historical and contemporary trends and developments in watercolor paintings which students analyze and evaluate in class discussions.

      Distance Learning

      1. Visually oriented lecture on historical and contemporary developments, trends, materials, and approaches in watercolor painting. Video demonstration of the physical properties of watercolors to create a still life. Students submit progress still life paintings to the instructor for feedback. Completed paintings are posted to the discussion board and critiqued through written format on the basic formal elements and principles of design in watercolors. Active and relevant participation includes students responding to each others’ comments in the discussion board.

      Typical Out of Class Assignments

      Reading Assignments

      1. Read instructor-provided reviews of gallery or museum exhibitions devoted to watercolor. Analyze and evaluate the readings and discuss them in class. 2. Research a biography or biographical article about a watercolorist and discuss it in class.

      Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

      1. Write a review/critique of a gallery or museum show devoted to watercolors that you have visited. 2. Prepare and submit for evaluation a portfolio of watercolors that you have completed during the semester, including a written artist's statement and a written self-evaluation of your work.

      Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

      Typical Assignments 1. Sketch three scenes from nature in color in your sketchbook. 2. On a quarter sheet of watercolor paper complete a painting of at least one article of clothing. 3. On a half sheet of watercolor paper complete a still life painting that includes at least three vegetables and two fruits.

      Required Materials

      • Mastering Watercolors
        • Author: Joe Cartwright
        • Publisher: Create Space Publishing Platform
        • Publication Date: 2015
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • The Artist's Guide to Selecting Colours
        • Author: Michael Wilcox
        • Publisher: North Light Books
        • Publication Date: 1997
        • Text Edition:
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Color and Light in Watercolor
        • Author: Jean Haines
        • Publisher: Search Press
        • Publication Date: 2016
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Splash 11 New Directions: The Best of Watercolor
        • Author: Rachel Rubin Wolf, Editor
        • Publisher: North Light Books
        • Publication Date: 2010
        • Text Edition:
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Watercolor Essentials: Hands-on Techniques for Exploring Watercolor in Motion
        • Author: Birgit O'Connor
        • Publisher: North Light Books
        • Publication Date: 2009
        • Text Edition:
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Mastering the Art of Watercolour: A Complete Step-by-step Course in Painting Techniques
        • Author: Wendy Jelbert and Ian Sidaway
        • Publisher: Lorenz Books
        • Publication Date: 2022
        • Text Edition:
        • Classic Textbook?:
        • OER Link:
        • OER:

      Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

      Brushes, paper, sketchbook, portfolio, paints, palette