SYLLABUS

Parsons the New School for Design: S P A C E

Drawing & Painting Pre- College- 1066 – PNNY 0102- C2

Jul 02- Jul 27, 2012, M- F 9:00- 3:50pm

2 West 13th Street, rm 1203

Kenneth Millington, millingk@newschool.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION/ PAINTING AND DRAWING: Portfolio Intensive

This course emphasizes the development of each student’s personal vision through drawing and painting. Coursework fosters research and experimentation that develops into finished paintings and drawings representative of the unique vision of each student. The class is structured around individual tutorials as well as group discussion and critique. Each week the class will tackle a theme and students will be instructed in the drawing and painting techniques that can be used to explore that theme. Themes include: the meaning of everyday objects, the experience of place, autobiography & the expression of the self, and imaginary worlds & utopias. All projects begin with research and collecting materials or images to work from. Students learn to approach drawing and painting as a multi-stage process of experimenting with technique, brainstorming, sketching, and researching in preparation for the painting. Students will be instructed in basic color theory, composition, building-up of surfaces, mark-making techniques, as the utilizing of abstraction and representation in order to amplify the student’s own personal vision. Museum visits and discussions provide historical background as well as inspiration and research for drawing and painting projects.

Ongoing Assignment: Logbook Portfolio (Learning Portfolio)—Inspiration, Process, and Realization

The logbook is the backbone of this class. It is meant to be a daily practice, try to add one thing to your logbook each day; it should be a repository for your visual ideas. Begin to notice the things in your environment that attract you, that stimulate your thoughts. You can use any medium you like in it: collage, words, pasted objects and images, dreams, in addition to your own drawings. The logbook will act as an archive of things that interest you, as well as a place to experiment with technical challenges. Include color swatches, your mark-making dictionary, etc. We will look at the logbooks as a class once a week.

Photographic Documentation of Work:

 Students will photograph each of their projects for this class, and keep documentation of the evolution of them in the logbook. The work should be shot in digital format with high enough resolution to blow up to 8” x 10” (300dpi). Drawings, sketches, research and preliminary artifacts generated in the process of conceptualizing each piece will be included (1-2 pages per work). In your final logbook portfolio, please include a CD of digital images of completed works. The final Logbook Portfolio will count 30% toward your grade.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of Drawing and Painting students will be able to demonstrate:

·      A conceptual and applied understanding of visual elements such as color, line, shape, texture, and composition.

·      Ease with “brainstorming” with materials; making effective visual decisions by first engaging in experimentation with multiple approaches to size, scale, color, line, composition, shape, format, and application of paint.

·      Demonstrate an understanding of the iterative and incremental making process, including developing sketches, mock-ups, proposals and responding to feedback.

·      Familiarity with strategically selecting and employing the painting/ drawing/collage techniques that are best suited for each work.

·      The ability to reflect on a thematic concept in a meaningful way and translate those insights into visual form.

·      Effective use of collected research (information and images available on the internet, in magazines, newspapers, or books) to inform the visual development of a drawing or painting.

·       The ability to archive one’s own process (sketches, proposals, written thoughts) as well as final products in the form of the Learning Portfolio.

·      Demonstrate an understanding of editing final work for an Admissions Portfolio.

·      Ability to evaluate works of art and the creative process through dialogue
including group discussions, critiques, and written reflections.

·      A consistent and professional work ethic and studio practice.

Logbook Materials:

For Logbook: 3 Ring Binder w/ 2” Spine

Transparent Sleeves for inserting pages

Drawing Materials

Sketchbook of your choice

Graphite Pencils: B,2B,4B,6B, 9B (Bring to 1^st Class)

Pencil Sharpener (Bring to 1^st Class)

Kneaded Eraser, White Staedtler Eraser (Bring to 1^st Class)

Final Fixative Spray Can

Drawing Pad 18x24 Pearl brand 2 Ply Bristol (20 sheets) (Bring to 1^st Class)

Vine Charcoal, Compressed Charcoal (Square Sticks- “Alphacolor Char-kole” is a good brand”), and 1 charcoal pencil. (Bring to 1^st Class)

A Ruler

Scissors

General Materials List

Elmers glue

tape (white artists tape)

Exacto knife/ box cutter

A found object to paint on (For one of our “Second Skin” Project).

Painting Materials List

• Palette: disposable palettes.

• Palette knife: A palette knife is necessary for mixing paint. A knife with a blade about 3 or 4” in length and 1/2” wide is good for general use.

• Two large water jars to hold brushes

• Soap: A bar of soap to wash brushes

• Acrylic Brushes:

1 fine small brush

2 flat brushes size 6 & 8

2 round brushes 6 & 8

2 larger brushes sizes 14-16 flat and round

• Paints: We will be using acrylic paints this summer. Try to avoid buying inexpensive colors that are called “hues,” or “student grade” (Winton), as in cerulean blue “hue,” or cadmium yellow “hue.” Get the real thing. Suggested brands: Golden, Winsor & Newton, Utrecht, etc.

Recommended colors:

Titanium White

Payne’s Grey

Ultramarine blue

Phthalo Blue (Green Shade)

Cadmium Red Light

Alizarin Crimson

Cadmium Yellow Light

Yellow Ochre

Burnt Sienna

Dioxizine Purple (1 oz bottle)

Phthalo Green

Titanium White (a larger quantity would be suggested)

Seven 2 oz. Mixing Jars w/ snap on lid attached

3- 11 X 14 Canvas Boards

Misc.

One Art or tool box- To hold all your supplies (Bring to 1^st Class)

One 22 X 33” Plastic Portfolio with Handle- to carry your finished work

A Combination Lock- for your locker (Bring to 1^st Class)

A Metrocard for the subway

Digital camera with USB cable for downloading image to the computer, or one-time use

digital camera. (Please do not purchase a new camera just for this course. If you have

one bring it, if not, you can purchase a one-time use one at a local drug store or Staples.) Digital storage device, like a 4 Gig USB flash drive

In addition, due to the student centered nature of this course, students will have to make independent material choices. Students will be required to buy a few additional materials throughout the course (this could take the form of a different size canvas, or a different surface to paint on.) Please make sure to have funds available such as a pre paid card at an art store- $50.

Art Supply Stores:

Pearl Paint: 308 Canal Street (West of Broadway)

New York Central: 62 Third Ave. (between 11th and 12th Streets)

Utrecht: 111 Fourth Avenue   (Between 11th and 12th Streets)

              237 W 23rd Street (Between 7th and 8th Aves.)

Course Schedule

Part 1:

TRANSFORMING EVERYDAY OBJECTS

Techniques/ Media: Drawing, Collage, Painting, Project Proposals.

Value, shading, composition, positive/ negative space, line, color

Students will engage with genre of still life. Traditional observation drawing, concepts of transformation, object and meaning, and the relationship of object to place will be explored. Students will work through a variety of media, experimentation and iteration.

Part 2:

THE EXPERIENCE OF PLACE

Techniques/ Media: Drawing, Painting, Experimentation with Various Materials

The construction of space: perspective, scale, color, negative space

Students will engage with the notion of place. Working with concepts of perspective, color theory, and collection students will seek to convey the essence of a location

Part 3:

AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND THE EXPRESSION OF SELF 

Techniques/ Media: Drawing, Painting, Experimentation with Various Materials

Students will strive to make work that gives voice to and deals with the issues of self. Working figuratively and expressionistically, students will work with issues of psychology, identity, and the vocabulary of expression.

Part 4:

IMAGINARY WORLDS & UTOPIAS

Techniques/ Media: Final Project Brainstorming Materials/ Project Proposals, Drawing, Painting, Experimentation with Various Materials

Students will explore concepts of imagination and creation. Working with movie references and self generated inspirations, students will tackle the creative world building process.

Part 5:

PORTFOLIOS: Application Portfolios

What should go into a final application portfolio?

COURSE OUTLINE

DATE AM PM MATERIALS 7/2/2012 Monday Transform an Object Orientation Intro to Course, Documentation, Log Book, Drawing Lecture, Exercises Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Drawing Pad, Sketchbook 7/3/2012 Tuesday Observational Drawing Complete Drawing, Lecture of Reconfigured Still Life HW: Photograph an object from multiple points considering scale, vantage point etc. Cut up and collage. Also, scout and photograph location for temporary public art installation. Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Drawing Pad, Sketchbook 7/4/2012 Wednesday NO CLASS 7/5/2012 Thursday Complete Reconfigured Still Life Bring in References for “Out-Sized Project”. Brainstorm ideas, Proposal format. HW: Make a Finished Proposal or Public Artwork. Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Drawing Pad, Sketchbook, Media for Second Skin 7/6/2012 Friday Finalize Sketch, rep Materials and Begin Enlarging Drawing. Begin Painting Large scale Object. HW: Finish Painting, Install and Document. Pencils, Rulers, Paint, Brushes, Palette, Containers 7/9/2012 Monday Begin “Second Skin” Continue painting. HW: Complete “Second Skin” Object, Media of Choice 7/10/2012 Tuesday EXPERIENCE OF PLACE Perspective- Boxes Perspective- Interior HW: Finish Perspective Interior Pencils, Sharpener, Erasers, Ruler 7/11/2012 Wednesday Color Theory, Master copy of a Landscape Landscape of location HW: Finish Landscape Paint, Brushes, Palette, Containers, Paper Towels, Outside Gear 7/12/2012 Thursday “Collection Field”- Lecture and site visit. Brainstorming, Sketching and begin “Collection” drawing. HW: Finish Drawing. Plastic Baggies, Media of Choice 7/13/2012 Friday AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND THE EXPRESSION OF SELF Figure Drawing, head studies Long Pose HW: Sketch ideas for Self Portrait. Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Drawing Pad, Sketchbook 7/16/2012 Monday Facial Features Begin Large Scale Self- Portrait Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Drawing Pad, Paper, Sketchbook 7/17/2012 Tuesday Continue Self-Portrait Complete Self- Portrait. HW: Brainstorm format/ idea for “Book of Life” Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Paper Sketchbook 7/18/2012 Wednesday Figure Painting Continue Paint, Brushes, Palette, Containers, Paper Towels, 7/19/2012 Thursday MET Visit Begin “Book of Life” HW: Continue work and gather reference for “Movie Mash-up”. Sketchbook, Pencils, Erasers, Sharpener, Media of Choice 7/20/2012 Friday Continue “Book of Life” Continue HW: Complete “Book of Life” HW: Finalize Collage Sketches for ‘Movie Mash-up” Media of Choice 7/23/2012 Monday NEW WORLDS AND UTOPIAS Begin “Movie Mash-up” Continue HW: Finish Drawing Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Paper Sketchbook 7/24/2012 Tuesday American Museum of Natural History visit/ draw- Brainstorm, Sketch Final Project HW: Gather Reference, Finalize sketch. Pencils, Charcoals, Erasers, Sketchbook 7/25/2012 Wednesday Portfolio Discussion Begin “New Worlds” Media of Choice 7/26/2012 Thursday “New Worlds” Complete “New Worlds” Project Media of Choice 7/27/2012 Friday Course wrap up, Installation of Exhibit Final Exhibit ALL FINISHED ARTWORK

 

BIO

Kenneth Millington was born in 1974 in Geneva, New York. He received his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1996 and his MFA from the School of Visual Arts in 2005. Most recently his work has been seen in “Bronx Calling: The First AIM Biennial” at the Bronx Museum of Fine Arts. Kenneth has pursued painting projects abroad in Europe and South America including watercolor studies with Ricardo Perez Alcala in La Paz Bolivia. Kenneth’s painting practice includes large-scale watercolors as well as exterior mural projects around the country.  His painting is informed by his Bolivian heritage, the landscape of upstate New York and his interest in history and science. He has been awarded several grants including the J. William Fulbright Fellowship, the Elizabeth Greenshields Grant, and the Stacey Scholarship.  Kenneth currently teaches Drawing in the Foundation Department at Parsons, The New School. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.