Art often has a sense of living presence that brings history alive. Perhaps this is because we learn not just from documents of the distant past, but from objects that exist in our present. When we stand before a painting by 17th-century Rembrandt, or 20th-century Jackson Pollock, or the late sculptures of 16th-century Michelangelo, we see the movement, thought, and decisions of the artist. The creative act; what was made, how it was made, and why it was made, exists in our moment in these objects. This class will introduce you to the history of Western Art, from the Ancient Greeks to the contemporary art world. It will help you explore the tools, language, and ideas of visual art through a variety of studio projects which will include experiments with painting, basic ideas about color, and drawing. 

There are many histories of art that we can study; Asian, African, Islamic, Native American, etc. Since it is impossible to study them all with any accuracy or coherence in a single quarter, we will focus on one tradition. Even in giving ourselves this limitation, we will be just skimming the surface, many great artists and works will be left out because of the limitation of time. Western Art is not better than the art of other cultures, but it is valuable for us to understand the artistic development of the culture we live in. 

By the end of Introduction to Artyou will learn that artists are problem solvers, just like business people, software designers, scholars, repair people, or coaches and athletes. Instead of trying to win a title or medal, debug a program, or run a profitable business, artists use creative and critical thinking, the physical capacities of the body, and materials and technologies, to produce visual objects that tell a story, communicate an emotion, experience, or a variety of philosophical, political, religious, or aesthetic ideas. 

Text: Art of the Western World: from Ancient Greece to Post-Modernism,

Michael Wood, Bruce Cole & Adelheid Gealt,in the Bookstore

The book is required. It is inexpensive (1/3 of other art texts), readable, and has decent color images. It will provide you with a good introductory overview of Western Art and Civilization. You will be required to memorize artworks illustrated in this book. Exam material will be drawn from both the text and lecture. You will find it helpful to study the images with other students, it’s easier and more fun. There are small rooms in the library you can use for group study during normal library hours. 

 

Course	1 Quiz	0% of grade
Requirements:	Midterm	20% of grade
	Final	20% of grade
	Studio Projects	40% of grade
	Art Visits	10% of grade

A = Excellent = 3.5 - 4.0B= Very Good=2.5 - 3.4C = Average = 1.5 - 2.4

D = Poor = 0.7 - 1.4E = Fail = 0.0

I encourage you to ask questions during class either in the lecture or the studio. There is no dumb question. I am happy to meet with you outside of class to help with study skills or to discuss any problems you are having that are effecting your performance. In some cultures it is impolite or rude to ask questions. If this is true of your culture and you have a question or aren’t sure of what I’m saying or asking, be rude and ask your question.

Be on time for exams. Make-ups for emergency only at my discretion. Oversleeping, forgetting, or going on vacation are not accepted excuses. If you are having problems, academic or personal, let me know during the quarter so we can work on solutions. 

Grading for Studio Projects:There are three possible grades for each project:

Pass Plus (P+) = 100% = work turned in on-time, all requirements of assignment met

Pass (P) = 80% = work turned in on-time, project meets most of the requirements

Fail (F) = 0% = work not completed and/or turned in on-time

Requirements of every assignment include:

-On-time completion of project, presented at the beginning of class for discussion

-Use of assigned materials, format, and techniques

-Participation, effort, and individual development - an important part of this is coming to class

-All work should be signed and dated on the front. Work must be neatly and squarely trimmed on the paper cutter as I will demonstrate in class. 

Attendance:You must attend class on-time. You cannot successfully complete the studio projects without direction and help. Since each lecture will cover a major art historical period, you will quickly become disoriented if you do not attend lecture. 

Two unexcused studio absences are allowed. The following penalties apply to your grade for each unexcused absence over two. 

3 absences = -.1 points= 3.9 highest possible grade

4   = - .2 points = 3.8 highest possible grade, etc. 

Excused absences are major medical emergencies, funerals, etc. at my discretion. These absences must be documented. If you know in advance you will be out, please tell me in class so I can give you the homework. When you miss a class it is your responsibilityto obtain and complete any missed assignments. If a project is due on a date you are absent, it is your responsibility to show me the project at the beginning of the next class. 

We are fortunate to have students and faculty of diverse cultures and backgrounds at North and respect for diversity is a central value at NSCC. The best learning occurs in an environment of mutual cooperation, where we speak, listen, and work together with sensitivity and respect. 

Required Materials

Utrecht on Capitol Hill specializes in materials for students. They have the best prices in town, you’ll save about 30%, especially on paint. Artist & Craftsman on 45^th is a good 2^nd choice, the brand names will be different. 

 

- 14” x 17” Utrecht Sketchbook (white drawing paper), 50 sheets, Heavy Weight, (do not get sketch paper)

- gum eraser

- a small round watercolor palette

- One inexpensive round watercolor brush, size 7 or 8, and one smaller brush for detail.Tell them the brushes are for acrylics. You want ones that hold their shape and aren’t too soft, but you don’t want a bristle brush. 

- small elmer’s glue

- one stick Alpha-noor Charcoal (just one stick, not the box) in the bookstore

- one piece of white illustration board, cut cleanly to 14” x 17” (we’ll cut this in class) 

- Small 2oz tubes of Utrecht Acrylic paint in the following colors, 

Cadmium Yellow Light, Napthol Crimson, Quinacridone Violet

Ultramarine Blue, Ivory or Mars Black, Titanium White

If you’re short on cash, don’t buy the Quinacridone Violet.