Color Theory – Art/Com 107
Professor Hall Groat Fall 2010
Course Blog: www.bcccolor.blogspot.com

Meeting Times: Thursday 12-2:50 Location: AT 217
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday 12-1PM Thursday 11-12PM
Office Location: Art Annex, Rm.#101 Phone: 778-5612
E-mail: Groat_H@sunybroome.edu

Course Description
Color is an element of art and design that profoundly influences our perception of the environment that surrounds us, making it a powerful aspect of design. Understanding color is a challenge for even the most experienced artists and designers. Today we must understand the complexity of professional applications: working with the painter and digital artist’s palette, making the transition from pigment to electronic light, and back again to pigment.

We can learn the basic language of the subtractive and additive systems in the traditional applications. Practical knowledge and visual sensitivity exercises will train the eye enabling one to creatively apply color to two and three-dimensional artwork with confidence. To make creative and logical color choices one must recognize the dimensions of color, which include hue, chroma and temperature. Various color theorists and models will be studied. Concepts relating to color will be learned through the process of making art.

In addition, emotional, symbolic, and cultural significance of color will be explored through visual examples in historical and contemporary contexts.

Students will have the opportunity to work with traditional art and digital media.

Learning Outcomes
Art/Com 107 –Introduction to Color Theory
Students will be able to:

Develop a physical sensitivity and analytical eye for color, enabling one to transform theory into practical application.

Employ acquired knowledge to further enhancing the basic skills required for drawing, painting, graphic design (visual communication), animation, interior design, illustration, and other applied art fields.

Solve design problems involving color enabling them to develop self-confidence with in regard to making independent decisions.

Apply theories connected with emotional, symbolic, and cultural significance of color, to contexts, such as fine, applied art and art history.

Course Format
The course will be comprised of selected readings, class discussions, demonstrations, research, traditional studio work, field trips and critiques. Main course projects, color exercises, and homework assignments will be completed that reflect the readings and topics of discussion.

Assessment and Grading
25 % Critiques & Class Participation (contributing thoughts during group discussions)

75 % Color Studies, Traditional and Digital Color Projects, Research
(Completed during class time, oftentimes worked on as homework)

Attendance Policy
If you miss more than two classes your grade will be dropped an entire letter grade—unless you have a legitimate medical excuse. Attendance will be taken each time class meets

Time Frame
August 26 Introduction / Course Overview / Requirements / Biographies / Course Supplies
Color Study #1: Value Linear Grayscale with Natural Found Objects
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September 2 Project #2: Linear Grayscale with Paint
Key Concepts: value, middle value, low key, high key, achromatic, reflecting light, absorbing light
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September 9 Project #3: Grayscale Forms
Key Concepts: value gradations, value keys, form, merging values, squinting
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September 16 Project #3: Grayscale Forms
Photoshop Introduction
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September 23 Project #4: Color Wheels
Photoshop Introduction
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September 30 Project #5: Color Value Scales
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October 7 Project #6: Complimentary Color
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October 14 Project #7: Research Project
Color Theory Research Project Introduction
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October 21 Introduction: Color Theory Research Project
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October 28 Project #8: Expressive and Symbolic Color
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November 4 Project #9: Color Schemes and Harmonies”
Final Course Project Introduction
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November 11 Research Project Due
Review Research Projects
Color Schemes and Harmonies
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November 18 Color Schemes and Harmonies
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December 2 Color Schemes and Harmonies
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December 9 Final Critiques
View all color studies and projects

Materials
A.C. Moore, Town Square Mall, Vestal 797-1144
Michaels, Vestal Pkwy 658-9101
http://www.michaels.com

Commercial Art Supply,
935 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse 315-772-9323

Acrylic Paint Hues (Must purchase the particular names listed below)
(AC Moore Discount Brand is the Windsor & Newton Galleria)



Acrylic Paint Required

Red: Cadmium Red Medium Hue or Permanent Red
Blue: Cobalt Blue Hue or Brilliant Blue
Yellow: Cadmium Yellow Hue Medium or Hansa Yellow

Violet: Dioxizine Purple, Permanent Violet, or Winsor Violet
Green: Viridian Green or Permanent Green Light
Orange: Cadmium Orange Hue, or Orange Lake

White: Titanium White or Zinc White
Black: Ivory Black or Mars Black
Brown: Burnt Umber or Bunt Sienna

Slow-Dri Fluid Retarder (to prevent acrylic paint from drying too quickly)
Liquitex is a good brand of fluid retarder.

Paint Brushes & Sizes§ Rounds: #2, #7 or #8§ Flats: ¼” and ½” widths § Circular Paint Palette with plastic lid § Color Wheel§ Bristol Board Paper 12” x 18”§ Ruler with metal edge§ Exacto knife or box cutter (to cut the foam core for mounting projects)§ Black foam board § Two containers with lids to store and transport dirty and clean water. § Mounting Tape § Eraser§ Fine Black Sharpie Marker§ Pencil§ Flash Disk/Jump Drive For Computer work