Syllabus for Non-Toxic Painting Course
Objectives
Introduction to non-toxic studio methods and green, earth friendly studio practises. Introduction to hands-on paint making in the techniques of watercolor, egg tempera and gouache, along with practical studio utilizing threse three paints.
Instruction Methods
Live demos and lectures, hands on practicas, digital lectures on the work of artists from art history, studio practise, research blog, practica blog, critique blog, live critique, Visiting Artist, on-line museum visit
Materials
Non-toxic powdered pigments as ordered from Sinopia
Eggs
Gum Arabic as ordered from Sinopia
Mixing dishes
Water containers
Small jars with lids, such as baby food jars
Paint brushes for water media
Rigid panels
Gesso
2 Watercolor palettes
Cloth rags and towels
Palette knife
Glass or wooden palette
Week 1
Artists Safety
Use and handling of paints, what paints are non-toxic, how to shop for non-toxic paint, how to use a double barreled respirator and when, when to use a glove box and how to build one, ventillation systems for the studio, non toxic palette. Making a glove box. What happens to artists who don't handle art materials safely. How to develop life long safe working habits.
Week 2
Watercolor Paint
Using gum arabic and powdered pigments, students learn to make watercolor paint and how to store it for future use. Painting demo on how to use watercolor paint - washes, masking out areas, how to work with a transparent paint, what to do with mistakes. Group discussion and critique.
Week 3
Watercolor continued
Looking at the watercolors of O'Keefe and J.M.W. Turner. Painting from a still life in the classroom or the imagination. Group discussion and critique.
Week 4
Watercolor continued
Painting outside the classroom. Doing architecture studies on in local neighborhood. Group discussion and critique.
Week 5
Egg Tempera
Making egg tempera. Storing for future use. Working with value in monochromatic exercises. Looking at the work of Andrew Wyeth. Group discussion and critique. [sample on line of Week 5]
Week 6
Egg Tempera continued
Looking at the work of Andrea del Sarto in the Chiostro dello Scalzo. Using value to define a three dimensional scene on a two dimentional surface. Explain concept of chiaroscuro. Continued monochromatic excercises. Group discussion and critique.
Week 7
Egg Tempera continued
Life model in classroom. Tempera in full color. Mixing and painting flesh tones. Group discussion and critique.
Week 8
Egg Tempera continued
Work on project of individual choice. Group discussion and critique.
Week 9
Gouache
How to make gouache paint and store for future use. Looking at the gouache work of Van Gogh, Klee. Experiment and explore the handling qualities of gouache, particularly its opacity. Group discussion and critique.
Week 10
Gouache continued
Mixed media technique with watercolor. Looking at the mixed media work of J.M.W. Turner. Group discussion and critique.
Week 11
Gouache continued
On-line museum trip to view original works of art. Group discussion and critique.
Week 12
Visiting Artist
On line Visiting artist demo, showing of work, and critiques of student work. Group discussions.
Week 13 and 14
Continued studio in media of choice. Group discussion and critique.
Week 15
Portfolio showings, discussion and critiques