Painting I This course is designed for the student to create a diverse portfolio of work while developing creative and technical skills. A variety of media will be explored. Color theory and the study of historical periods and cultures will supplement studio activities. A materials fee is required.

Students are introduced to painting by beginning with watercolor. They carefully choose and compose a piece that is fairly simple but which allows for experimentation with color and the media.

Students arrange and sketch a small collection of still life objects that represent themselves and / or their interests and apply watercolor in a realistic way to the composition.

Monochromatic watercolor paintings allow students the opportunity to distinguish the subtle variety of values in any landscape painting.

An understanding of Color Theory is demonstrated in paintings in which the students break up the space of the piece and apply a variety of color schemes within each of the spaces.

Very specific color choices are used to enhance the work and demonstrate the effect of various color combinations.

Subtle or vibrant use of watercolor can create interesting effects in the overall outcome of the landscape paintings. For this work students chose locations of personal interest to paint.

Fine black line detailing enhances this work which is done much like the style of Winona native Jim Heinlen.

Close up work is done in the style of Georgia O’Keeffe which allows the student to experiment with extreme cropping in a way that draws the eye directly into the work.

Portraits in watercolor allow the students the opportunity to capture and / or immortalize some of their favorite people and develop more of their watercolor painting techniques.

Hard edge paintings introduce students to acrylic painting and the blending of color in a smooth and controlled way.

Acrylic landscapes are developed by working from the background to the middle ground to the foreground. Effectively implementing the use of atmospheric perspective through the careful mixing of color creates very realistic effects.

As a culminating piece in acrylics the student choose the subject, media and direction of the work. They may decide to be either representational, expressive or illustrative with their piece.

Abstract painting is some of the final work of the term. It is done in a way in which the students may experiment with color, composition, and the application of the paint to the surface of their work.