Instructor: Brianna Autin
Email: brianna.autin@colorado.edu
Studio Classroom: 172 VAC Building Office Hours: By appointment
ARTS 1010 INTRODUCTION TO STUDIO ART
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to studio arts and artistic practice, in which we will explore various ways for making work. In addition to introducing new techniques and materials, we will explore how to think and talk about creative work. Students will explore visual literacy and culture through lectures, studio time, readings, discussions, and projects that emphasize individual development. Everything in class is geared towards the skills, concepts, and actions of artistic activity.
Course Objectives:
Students will:
- Approach art and design with a sustained focus and a rigorous methodology that includes the ability to construct a question for inquiry, implement creative approaches to problem-solving, and prioritize ideation in artmaking
- Become knowledgeable of two-dimensional, three-dimensional and color theory fundamentals through readings, assignments, projects, and lectures
- Experiment with various materials and techniques to foster creative agility
- Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze studio work and the work of others within personal, theoretical, cultural, social, and historical contexts
Supply List:
The Foundations Area provides some basic supplies, but you will need to purchase the
following supplies. From time to time, you will be asked to bring in other items or materials according to the project.
*Stores in the area: Guiry’s (great), McGuckin's Hardware (good), CU Book Store (basic)
Please bring the materials in bold to class by the second day, and the remainder to class by week two:
- Sketchbook. 9” x 12”. Needs at least 70 sheets of paper.
- Drawing pencils (6b, 4b, 2b, Hb, 2h, 4h, etc.)
- Variety of pens. Recommended: fine black Sharpie, Pilot G2 and Micron
- Scissors
- Glue Sticks
- Rubber Eraser AND Kneaded Eraser
- Assorted paint brushes for acrylic paint
- Metal palette knife
- Access to a printer
Course Sections
This course will have assigned projects based on the following:
Section One: Noticing/Composition
Section Two: Drawing
Section Three: Color Theory/Painting
Section Four: Digital Art
Section Five: Sculpture
Section Six: Independent Project (Artistic Practice)
Critiques:
For each section we will share ideas with each other and develop a strong prolific art studio practice. You are expected to install and uninstall your artwork for critiques. There are exceptions if the work is site specific. We will have group critiques where you will explore how to give constructive feedback.
Readings:
Readings will be assigned with the aim of fostering discussion within the classroom regarding artistic practice and other course content. These will be given to you in the form of PDFs that will be posted on Canvas.
Attendance:
You are required to attend all class meetings. If you are sick or quarantined, you must email the instructor BEFORE class begins.
*This also applies to any doctor’s appointments, medical testing, etc. You must let the instructor know about any absences BEFORE class begins. After 4 Absences your final semester grade will be dropped by one full letter grade. After 5 Absences, you will automatically be dropped from the course.
● As a studio course it is essential for you to be in class to benefit from class discussions, exercises, and critiques.
● Excessive absences will result in a lower grade OR you will be dropped from the course.
Tardiness and Early Departure:
As this is a hands-on studio class, punctuality is necessary for success. Classes will start on time, and students will be marked tardy if they arrive after class has begun. Students will be marked absent if not in class within 10 minutes after the class has started. If you leave before class is dismissed or leave class for long periods of time you will also be marked Absent. This also applies to Zoom class meetings. If you must leave early you will need to speak with your instructor before class. *Every three tardies will equal one Absence.
Studio Access:
All Foundations students are required to work extensively outside of class. There will be Open Studio hours posted in the Foundations classroom and on Canvas.
If an instructor permits, you may work in the studio while another class is being taught, but this is completely up to the discretion of the instructor whose class is in session. Please be respectful and kind when asking for permission and be aware they may not allow it.
Class Participation:
You are expected to be an active member of the class. Your participation in critiques and discussions will be noted in your project grade. In addition, you are extremely important to the learning and development of your classmates. It is important to be generous with your ideas and opinions during these discussions and critiques. You must be present on critique days. There is no way to make these up and 10% will be taken off of your project grade.
Maintaining an environment in which each class member is able to hear and respect each other is imperative. It is critical that each class member shows respect for all worldviews expressed in class. It is expected that some material in this course may evoke strong emotions, but you must be respectful of others' emotions and be mindful of your own. If something said or done in the classroom is particularly troubling or causes discomfort, please let me know at once.
Evaluation and Grading:
All projects and papers will be evaluated with the use of rubrics for students’ understanding. While papers and assignments will be graded more objectively, artwork itself is a subjective matter. Project grades will be based on your instructor’s understanding of your work, the conversations leading up to the project, sketchbook pages, etc.
The following summarizes the percentage of points distributed, but may change during the semester, as each section of ARTS 1010 will vary slightly due to each instructor’s grading system and discretion.
GRADING GUIDELINES:
Summaries from readings, research, written responses, quizzes, participation, attendance. . . 30%
Projects and Assignments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Late Work:
All assignments, papers, and projects that are turned in late will have 10% taken off for each class period late.
STUDENT CONDUCT DURING CLASS TIME
Technology Policy in class and critiques:
Phones/laptops/tablets are only allowed out if the instructor explicitly states it is allowable. If you are using your technology disrespectfully, you will be notified and the instructor will make a mark in the attendance book. If you are noted to have used your technology disrespectfully on three separate occasions, an absence will be added to your attendance record.
No eating in the classroom:
Eat before you come to class. Lidded drinks are fine. (Coffee may be necessary for productive artistic practice.)
Flat Files and Lockers:
Due to the number of students in the Foundation Area you will share an assigned locker and flat drawer for class work and personal materials.
Class Clean Ups:
Everyone is expected to clean up after themselves. Respect the studio. Daily class clean ups are necessary. All projects should be taken home within three days of final critique. We do not have enough storage to leave projects behind. Before the end of the semester all work and belongings must be removed. Everything in the classroom, lockers, and flat files will be thrown away immediately after the semester ends.
Health and Safety:
It is important to the Art Department that you are aware of the hazards that can be found in some materials. You will be informed of any material or process that will need any health and safety attention. Please let me know if you have any health issues or if certain materials might be harmful or present a problem for you. It is important for you to follow any health and safety procedures that are explained. Following these procedures and guidelines can create a safe environment for you and your classmates.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, BOULDER COURSE POLICIES
Honor Code:
All students enrolled in a University of Colorado Boulder course are responsible for knowing and adhering to the Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code may include but are not limited to: plagiarism (including use of paper writing services or technology [such as essay bots]), cheating, fabrication, lying, bribery, threat, unauthorized access to academic materials, clicker fraud, submitting the same or similar work in more than one course without permission from all course instructors involved, and aiding academic dishonesty. Understanding the course's syllabus is a vital part in adhering to the Honor Code.
All incidents of academic misconduct will be reported to Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution: StudentConduct@colorado.edu. Students found responsible for violating the Honor Code will be assigned resolution outcomes from the Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution as well as be subject to academic sanctions from the faculty member. Visit Honor Code for more information on the academic integrity policy.
If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit your accommodation letter from Disability Services to your faculty member in a timely manner so that your needs can be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities in the academic environment. Information on requesting accommodations is located on the Disability Services website. Contact Disability Services at 303-492-8671 or DSinfo@colorado.edu for further assistance. If you have a temporary medical condition, see Temporary Medical Conditions on the Disability Services website.
If you have a temporary illness, injury or required medical isolation for which you require adjustment, please adhere to the protocol listed in the Attendance section of this syllabus.