Catalog Description

Hours: 90 (36 lecture, 54 laboratory)
Description: Introduction to the concepts, applications, and historical and contemporary references related to two-dimensional art and composition, including the study of the basic principles and elements of line, shape, texture, value, color, proportion, and spatial illusion. Students develop a visual vocabulary for creative expression through lecture presentations, studio projects, problem-solving, and written assignments. (C-ID ARTS 100) (CSU, UC)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Apply proper material handling, use, storage and clean up safety standards in the classroom.
  • CSLO #2: Critique two-dimensional art using the appropriate vocabulary and terminology pertaining to the basic elements and organizing principles of two-dimensional art.
  • CSLO #3: Demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the basic elements of a two-dimensional artwork, including line, shape, texture, value, color and spatial illusion.
  • CSLO #4: Examine, compare and analyze historical and contemporary examples of two-dimensional art within a global context.
  • CSLO #5: Explain individual aesthetic decisions and judgments related to own artwork.

Effective Term

Fall 2024

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

90

Outside of Class Hours

72

Total Student Learning Hours

162

Course Objectives

Lecture Objectives:
1. Identify and describe the basic elements of a two-dimensional art, including line, shape, texture, value, color and spatial illusion in two-dimensional art;
2. Identify and describe the organizing principles of two-dimensional art, including balance, proportion, repetition, contrast, harmony, unity, point of emphasis, and visual movement in two-dimensional art;
3. Explain individual aesthetic decisions and judgments related to own artwork;
4. Discuss and write a critical evaluation of two-dimensional art using the appropriate vocabulary and terminology pertaining to the basic elements and organizing principles of two-dimensional art;
5. Examine, compare, and analyze historical and contemporary examples of two-dimensional art within a global context.

Laboratory Objectives:
1. Independently produce visual compositions and problem-solving projects that successfully incorporate the basic elements and organizing principles of two-dimensional art;
2. Justify individual aesthetic decisions and judgments related to own artwork;
3. Demonstrate use of a variety of artistic materials, techniques, and tools;
4. Formulate and translate ideas and visual experience into images using both formal and conceptual approaches;
5. Discuss, critique, and evaluate own two-dimensional compositions, as well as those of classmates;
6. Examine, compare, and analyze historical and contemporary examples of two-dimensional art, within a global context.

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

      • Objective Examinations
        • Example: Student work will be evaluated in formal critiques and through handouts previously provided covering the elements of art and the principles of composition.
      • Projects
        • Example: Students will be evaluated on a combination of their participation in classroom discussions and formal critiques, their presentation of their project artworks, their participation in group activities and classroom discussions, and ability to choose the appropriate techniques and materials to create and complete artworks of their concepts.
      • Reports
        • Example: Through written reports after attending an art exhibit or viewing art examples in class, students' papers will be graded according to: their understanding of the use of the elements of art, principles of design, content of the artistic composition, and basic structure of grammar, spelling, formatting, and written clarity.
      • Other
        • Example: The student will submit a portfolio of 5-10 artworks that apply and demonstrate working knowledge of the elements of art and principles of design. For example, one of the projects in the portfolio could be a project demonstrating and emphasizing line (element) and rhythm (principle). Another project could demonstrate and emphasize the use of shape (element) and variety (principle). Etc.

      Repeatable

      No

      Methods of Instruction

      • Laboratory
      • Lecture/Discussion
      • Distance Learning

      Lab:

      1. Instructor will demonstrate, through lecture and discussion, the creation of a 2-D composition as a study of balance, movement, harmony, variety, dominance and proportion. Students will then be guided through laboratory and/or activity and in project work to evaluate and integrate concept, design and proper use of drawing materials. Instructor will present the criteria and evaluate students' ability to synthesize data from a variety of sources and formulate a hypothesis for their project work.

      Lecture:

      1. In a visual lecture presentation, the instructor will present as an example three works from a current exhibition in terms of the use of media, composition (using appropriate terminology), and relationship to art history.

      Distance Learning

      1. Visually oriented lecture demonstrating the creation of a 2-D composition to study of one of the basic elements of a two-dimensional art such as texture. Video examples of contemporary artists using texture (implied and actual) in their artworks. Students will then be guided through laboratory project work to create a collage using implied and actual texture. Students submit progress to the instructor for feedback. Completed projects are posted to the discussion board and critiqued through written format using appropriate vocabulary and terminology pertaining to the basic elements and organizing principles of two-dimensional art. Active and relevant participation includes students responding to each others’ comments on the discussion board.

      Typical Out of Class Assignments

      Reading Assignments

      1. Read the assigned text on Carmen Herrera's Whitney Museum exhibition "Lines of Sight". Discuss Carmen Herrera's use of SHAPE in her paintings using appropriate terminology, including the principles of organization that apply. 2. Read, analyze and apply the techniques of Line Quality based upon reading the assigned text.

      Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

      1. Evaluate, in a written paper, three works from a current exhibit in terms of use of media, composition (using appropriate terminology), and relationship to art history. 2. Be able to discuss, in writing, three non-objective works in terms of media and composition (using appropriate terminology), placing these works in historical context. Compose a self-evaluation outlining their personal progress toward the understanding of design. 3. In a two-page, typed, double-spaced essay, discuss the meaning of the phrase "form follows function." Provide an example of work illustrated in the text that exemplifies this concept and discuss the work's origin.

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

      I. Alter a Masterwork: Select a work of art from your text. Using tracing paper draw a line version of the work. Manipulate the shapes that are interesting to you (change their size, repeat major angles, combine adjacent shapes to form new ones, etc.) The resulting image should still resemble the original but be creatively altered. Transfer the most interesting, best balanced composition to 9"x12" hotpress paper with HB pencil. Draw over the light pencil line of the drawing with pen and ink, or a thin chisel-point black pen. Think of "line quality" here, rather than mindlessly, emotionlessly going over a line that already exists. The pencil line is only a guide. Be expressive, or deliberate, but not stilted and uptight. Reread pertinent sections of chapter 3: Line Quality. II. Invent a Shape: A. With pencil, or torn/cut shapes invent what will be the major (dominant) shape for a composition. CONSIDER: any shape expresses an idea/ emotion. All aspects of its form influence its message: size, placement, edge character, direction of implied motion, value changes, etc. Submit these choices before proceeding. B. Place the most significant choice (from above prelims) in various positions within (4) 4-1/2 x 6" rectangles in relationship to another shape (supporting, or antagonistic) which either i. echoes it in some way, or ii. fights with it Submit these choices before proceeding. C. Add to the chosen prelim other shapes which act as minor directionals, repetitions/echoes, spatial cues, etc. CONSIDER: i. SPATIAL references: what will represent foreground, background, middle ground? How? ii. NEGATIVE SPACE weight, interest, balance iii. VALUE SYSTEM (light/dark pattern). D. Choose the strongest composition in terms of applicable Principles of Organization. Transfer onto the 18x24" paper (w/border) lightly in pencil, or work directly with chosen medium.

      Required Materials

      • Design Principles and Problems
        • Author: Paul Zelanski and Mary Pat Fisher
        • Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing
        • Publication Date: 2007
        • Text Edition: 3rd
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice
        • Author: Otto Ocvirk, Robert Stinson, Philip Wigg
        • Publisher: McGraw-Hill
        • Publication Date: 2012
        • Text Edition: 12th
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • Introduction to Design
        • Author: Alan Pipes
        • Publisher: Pearson
        • Publication Date: 2008
        • Text Edition: 2nd
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • A Design Manual
        • Author: Shirley Brainard
        • Publisher: Pearson
        • Publication Date: 2005
        • Text Edition: 4th
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:
      • An Illustrated Field Guide to the Elements and Principles of Art + Design
        • Author: Joshua Field
        • Publisher: Hot Iron Press
        • Publication Date: 2018
        • Text Edition: 1st
        • Classic Textbook?: No
        • OER Link:
        • OER:

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

      Materials fee will be charged to cover assigned art supplies.